by Rachel Hunter
Attention pumpkin growers! Now is the time to look at those giant gourds and select the biggest for competition at the 2020 Pumpkin Festival! This past week, Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association Past President/ Director Lyle Hotis submitted photos of these possible “victims” for the pumpkin drop and guessing the weight contest. “I encourage anyone who has a big one to bring it to the weigh in on September 26,” Mr. Hotis said. “There is no cost to enter and the weight measurement is very accurate.”
Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association Past President/Director Lyle Hotis of Gouverneur shows off the “possible victims” considered for the Giant Pumpkin Drop and the Guessing the Weight Contest at the 9th Annual Pumpkin Fest to be held on the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 26. (photos provided by Dean Harper)
The 9th Annual Pumpkin Festival will be held at the Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fairgrounds on Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. If you grew a giant pumpkin this year, this is your chance to compete for prize money for growing the largest pumpkin. The adult division pays $150 for 1st place, $100 for 2nd and $50 for third. The youth division pays $50 for 1st place, $25 for 2nd and $15 for third. Pumpkins can be dropped off Friday afternoon or before 10 a.m. on Saturday morning.
As Fair President Beth Martin announced in an earlier edition of the Gouverneur Tribune Press, the big event of the day will be the Great Pumpkin Drop at 4:00 p.m. Tickets are available by contacting any Fair Board member. They are also available through the Gouverneur Chamber of Commerce. Watch Facebook for dates and times that they will be out around the community selling tickets before the event. Tickets are $5.00. 1st Prize - $500; 2nd Prize - $250 and 3rd Prize - $100.
“For those not familiar with this event, golf balls with corresponding ticket numbers are placed in a hollowed out giant pumpkin,” Fair President Beth Martin said. “A crane lifts the pumpkin as high as it can and then releases it. When it hits the ground, golf balls scatter in all directions! The golf ball that travels the farthest wins the big prize! The next two traveling the furthest win 2nd and 3rd prize respectively. This event can be viewed from your vehicle, or you can watch it on Facebook Live.”
The 9th Annual Pumpkin Festival will be held Saturday, September 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gouverneur Fairgrounds. Crafters, Vendors and Flea Marketers from all over the north county can secure a spot for $25 for the day. Registration Forms can be found on our website at www.gouverneurfair.net.
Face Masks and all social distancing requirements will be adhered to. Food vendors will be on site as well. The Gouverneur and St. Lawrence County Fair Association directors will also be selling tickets to guess the weight of a giant pumpkin. This is a 50/50 contest. Children can also enter their name in a drawing to win pumpkins that have been donated.
Don’t miss your chance to participate in the 9th Annual Pumpkin Festival!