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News Release RI Department of Environmental Management 235 Promenade St., Providence, RI 02908 (401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
RHODE ISLAND GIANT PUMPKIN CHAMPIONSHIP SET FOR OCTOBER 6 PROVIDENCE - The public is invited to the eighth annual Rhode Island Giant Pumpkin Championship, which will be held on Saturday, October 6 at Frerichs Farm* in Warren. Unloading of the biggest pumpkins grown in Rhode Island will begin at 10 a.m. with the weigh-off scheduled for 1 p.m. In case of rain, the championship will take place on Sunday, October 7.Refreshments will be available, a "pumpkin coach" will shuttle people around, and corn and bale mazes will challenge the skill of attendees. It is recommended that the public bring lawn chairs or blankets on which to sit during the weigh-off. The increasingly popular event is sponsored by the Rhode Island Pumpkin Growers Association and the Department of Environmental Management's Division of Agriculture and Resource Marketing to determine the largest pumpkin grown in the state each year and to crown an annual Rhode Island champion. Dick and Ron Wallace of Coventry won last year's state event with an 881-pound Rhode Island-grown pumpkin. Warren Cole of Warwick set the record for the largest pumpkin grown in Rhode Island in 1998, with a 920-pound pumpkin at the Topsfield Fair in Massachusetts. Those interested in competing in this year's event or receiving additional information should contact Don Langevin of the RI Pumpkin Growers Association at 508-222-9069 or Ron Newman of DEM's Division of Agriculture and Resource Marketing at 222-2781 ext. 4518. -30- *Frerichs Farm is on Kinnicutt Avenue off of Route 103. |
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