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Rockford,il

Just curious who are growing AG pumpkins in Illinois,why are there no Illinois weighoffs(that I know of),and what is the heaviest grown in Illinois.

1/30/2005 12:14:05 PM

Long Island,New York

823Edwards squash...

1/30/2005 12:36:08 PM

No Place Special

Someone from Illinois took an 1100 plus pumpkin and won Indiana sate fair in 04'. I assume that is the new Illinois record.

1/30/2005 12:59:35 PM

Joliet, IL

Joe Richards had a 1139 pounder this year along with
Gene McMullen's 895 pounder, both weighed at the Indiana
state fair. Joe lives in Steger, Gene lives in Streator.
I, Jeff Shenoha, grow here in my backyard in Joliet, and George J. on this site lives in Roselle I believe, and
and had a 666 pounder this year. I have met both Gene and
George and both are good dudes.

I was going to try to organize a second event here in
Joliet either the week before or the week after the
Didier Farm weigh off, which is on the first saturday of
October. But both sites want to keep their pumpkinfest
on that same weekend, so i am scrubbing the Joliet
idea and bringing my pumpkins to the Didier Farm weigh off
for sure this year.

I know there are some downstaters also on this site
which are Jasper and Heavygrower i believe.
There is a guy in Plainfield too, but I forgot his name..
Carlson is the last name I think.

The Didier weigh off had at least 15 to 20 kins 2 years
ago and is a nice event, kudos to George and the Didiers.

George J helps run the Didier weigh off which is near
Buffalo Grove I think. He has more info
and can be reached at [email protected].

That's all know Gourdy,
and good luck in 2005,
Shazzy

1/30/2005 2:02:36 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

Shazzy pretty much covered everything. I thing we have around 12 serious growers in the state. Our only weigh-off that I know is at Didier's. It would be about a hour ride for you. I would like to get the growers together and talk about ways to make are weigh-off better and attract more sponsors. Maybe form a Illinois Grower Association? Your ideas are welcome.
George Janowiak

1/30/2005 4:19:14 PM

Streator ,Illinois

Gourd,
there are growers here but not many compared to other states that thrive on the yearly events. Didiers is the only weighoff that is in Illinois.
Sandwich Fair had some large pumpkins there this year but if you have any thing over, 300 lbs you have to go to the grain elevator to get it weighed, I think in maybe 5 years from now you will see more growers because I believe the weights will rise in the state and will spark more interest,but for now there just are not that many, the people that do grow them are getting bigger ones every year and really the compition between Illinois growers is very tight, go outide of Illinois and you become a lite weight, stay in Illinois and you are a heavy hitter
Go to this site www.ipga.ws and you can see the top ten records for pumpkins for Illinois and other states, you may even see your own name there
This is my 2 cents worth from a lonely but proud Illinois grow
Gene McMullen

1/30/2005 7:35:26 PM

Rockford,il

Thanks for the info guys.I had heard of Didier Farms but did not think that it was a GPC approved weigh-off site.I did make the Illinois top ten list, but I did not see Shazzy's name listed in the top ten.And I know that he has 2 or 3 heavier pumpkins than I do.

1/30/2005 8:35:24 PM

Illinois

I'm entering my first year in the Giant Pumpkin craziness!!! I've been in contact with Gene and can second that he's a real nice guy. I too would like to see an Illinois sponsored weigh off. We have good dirt here and can compete with anyone. :-)

1/30/2005 8:56:16 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

We are a independent site. We have rules and regulations that are similar to the GPC. I been down that road before with the WPC and did not like it. I don't see the real benefit of being approved GPC. Plus the Idea of having to pay a large fee registration fee $500? I had a hard enough time getting that out of are best sponsor last year. If you grow the state or world record it will still be recognized GPC or not.

1/30/2005 8:58:48 PM

Joliet, IL

george,
i would think it be a wise thing to do to organize
an Illinois growers association. i am in for sure and i
will help in anyway i can.

gourdo,
i had some nice kins this year that went down to splits.
i exhibited one 885 est. split one in joliet the same
weekend as the didier farm weigh off, and missed that
event this year. it was fun season nevertheless, and hope
to crack that top ten list next year.

gene,
that day at bobby's in joliet, you put our names
on a pull strip card that ended paying 100 bucks.
i immediately put it on one supebowl square for a hundo.
well it didn't sell out, so they split the squares to 50
bucks and now we have 2 chances at the cash.
i will email you our split numbers if you want, or i can just send the check in the mail if we hit them right
without you knowing the numbers. somepeople don't like to
know the square numbers before hand. email this week if
you wanna know the numbers before the game.

1/30/2005 10:38:43 PM

Illinois

I would like to see an Illinois growers Assoc. and would help in any way I could also.

1/31/2005 9:00:45 AM

Decatur, IL

I also grow in Illinois. Live in Decatur. Hope to break through in '05. Strongly support an Illinois weigh-off or weigh-offs. No reason why we can't catch up with Iowa and Indiana....so many great growing areas around the state.
Charlie

1/31/2005 2:46:48 PM

New Hampshire

Let's go Illinois! Sign: a formmer resident of the Land of Lincoln.

1/31/2005 6:36:51 PM

Roselle, IL [email protected]

Thanks Jim, Since you stopped by and touched my soil,I am expecting my first 1,000lber.

1/31/2005 7:51:42 PM

New Hampshire

I had some NH granite dust on the soles of my shoes, that should give you that edge.

2/1/2005 7:19:28 AM