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News Release
RI Department of Environmental Management
235 Promenade Street, Providence, RI 02908
(401) 222-2771 TDD/(401) 222-4462
For Release: October 6, 2005
Contact: Gail Mastrati 222-4700 ext. 2402
Stephanie Powell 222-4700 ext. 4418

ANNUAL GIANT PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF DATE MOVED TO SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9 BECAUSE OF RAIN

PROVIDENCE - The date of the 12th annual Rhode Island Giant Pumpkin Championship, originally scheduled for Saturday, October 8, has been changed to Sunday, October 9 because rain is forecast for Saturday. In case of rain on Sunday, the event will be held on Monday, October 10.

The public is invited to the popular event, which will be held 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.

Refreshments will be available, a "pumpkin coach" will shuttle people around, and corn and hay 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 always popular event is sponsored by the Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Growers Association and the Department of Environmental Management's Division of Agriculture to determine the largest pumpkin grown in the state each year and to crown an annual Rhode Island champion.

Steve Perry of Johnston won last year's state event - and the state's record - with a 1,253-pound Rhode Island-grown pumpkin. New Hampshire farmer Charlie Houghton set the New England record in 2002 for the largest pumpkin ever grown in New England, at 1,337.6-pounds. The world record was won in 2004, with a 1,446-pound pumpkin grown by Al Eaton of Richmond, Ontario, Canada.

Those interested in competing in this year's event or receiving additional information should contact Barbara Frerich at 245-8245 or Ron Newman of DEM's Division of Agriculture at 222-2781 ext. 4518. In case of rain, please call Frerichs Farm at (401)-245-8245 to confirm the date of the event.

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*Frerichs Farm is on Kinnicutt Avenue off Route 103 in Warren.
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