THUNDER BAY -- Months of gardening has earned a local man first place in the biggest pumpkin contest.
The Thunder Bay District Giant Pumpkin Growers vice-president Don Cronk’s pumpkin weighed in at more than 1,200 pounds at the annual Pumpkin Mania weigh-off event awarding him with first place overall among more than 20 contestants.
He said the secret to growing a large pumpkin is lots of little gardening tricks.
“While my wife has got five horses, so lots of manure, bury the vines, and hopefully you get the right seeds that helps,” Cronk said Saturday afternoon at Belluz Farm.
Cronk added that he was lucky to even pull out a win, because he had a lot of trouble with this year’s gardening season.
Althought Cronk is a veteran when it comes to growing pumpkins.
Last year, he set a Pumpkin Mania record with his pumpkin weighing in at close to 1,500 pounds.
Organizers filled this year’s winning pumpkin with candy, lifted it high in the air with a crane and smashed it on the ground for dozens of families to enjoy.
A second pumpkin decorated as a minion was dropped into an inflatable pool shortly after.
“Every year we try to do a little more and make the event better for the kids,” Cronk said.
The event features a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, craft table, photo booth, pumpkin carving, a giant straw maze, wagon tours and great fall food.
“The animals are a huge hit, every time I walk around the corner they are all around with the animals,” he said.
“Kids just love it here it’s a great time.”
