A grower from Ontario, Jeff Warner, was close to winning the top prize at Pumpkinfest with his massive 1,711-pound pumpkin. However, he was disqualified due to a small soft spot on the pumpkin. Despite knowing the strict competition rules, Warner decided to participate in the event anyway, making a nine-hour journey with his giant pumpkin.
Warner attempted to salvage the pumpkin by scraping at the soft spot during the trip, but the hole continued to grow. When he arrived at the festival, a judge informed him that the hole exceeded the maximum allowable size for qualification.
Although disappointed, Warner acknowledged the importance of following the rules. The winning pumpkin weighed 1,542 pounds, significantly lighter than Warner’s impressive entry. Despite not winning, Warner remains proud of his dedication to cultivating giant pumpkins each year.
While Warner’s pumpkin did not secure the top prize, it still attracted attention from visitors who stopped to admire and take photos with the giant gourd. Warner plans to transport the pumpkin to a polar habitat where it will be fed to polar bears, giving it a unique afterlife.