The Bushmere Arms Giant Pumpkin Festival is into its 15th year and going strong!
Started by Bushmere Arms publican Robin Pierson, the competition raises money for The Cancer Society. Last year the competition raised over $9,000 for the charity and there are great ambitions to continue this tradition.
The Senior category of the 2016 competition was won by Ewan Atherton with a Giant Pumpkin weighing in at 210kgs.
Huge congratulations to Ewan!
The record for the biggest pumpkin grown with official Giant Pumpkin seeds is currently 247kgs and is held by Merv Goodley from the 2015 competition. Merv is a keen grower, and a multiple record holder of the Giant Pumpkin Festival Gisborne and is looking to outdo his record every year.
The 2014 winner of the senior category was Malcolm Peach who won with a pumpkin weighing in at 190kgs, and Malcolm also took out 2nd place in our 2013 competition with an entry of 160kgs. Jarod Owen took out the 2013 Senior category with a pumpkin weighing 216kgs.
The New Zealand record for biggest pumpkin is held by Eve Barton who grew a pumpkin weighing 721kgs in Parua Bay in the far North.
We have an avid grower in Gisborne called Jared who runs Parkview Garden Centre. He brings seeds in from overseas so doesn't enter his pumpkin into the official competition but this year his pumpkin cracked the 700kg weight level! His pumpkins are always on display at the Giant Pumpkin Festival in Gisborne.
http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/2247583-135/jared-and-the-giant-pumpkin
Started by Bushmere Arms publican Robin Pierson, the competition raises money for The Cancer Society. Last year the competition raised over $9,000 for the charity and there are great ambitions to continue this tradition.
The Senior category of the 2016 competition was won by Ewan Atherton with a Giant Pumpkin weighing in at 210kgs.
Huge congratulations to Ewan!
The record for the biggest pumpkin grown with official Giant Pumpkin seeds is currently 247kgs and is held by Merv Goodley from the 2015 competition. Merv is a keen grower, and a multiple record holder of the Giant Pumpkin Festival Gisborne and is looking to outdo his record every year.
The 2014 winner of the senior category was Malcolm Peach who won with a pumpkin weighing in at 190kgs, and Malcolm also took out 2nd place in our 2013 competition with an entry of 160kgs. Jarod Owen took out the 2013 Senior category with a pumpkin weighing 216kgs.
The New Zealand record for biggest pumpkin is held by Eve Barton who grew a pumpkin weighing 721kgs in Parua Bay in the far North.
We have an avid grower in Gisborne called Jared who runs Parkview Garden Centre. He brings seeds in from overseas so doesn't enter his pumpkin into the official competition but this year his pumpkin cracked the 700kg weight level! His pumpkins are always on display at the Giant Pumpkin Festival in Gisborne.
http://gisborneherald.co.nz/localnews/2247583-135/jared-and-the-giant-pumpkin
Sponsors
We are grateful to all the amazing sponsors who make this event possible:
Bushmere Arms
The Hits Gisborne
The Gisborne Herald
Pak'nSave Gisborne
DB Judd Holdings
Bayleys Rural Gisborne
Farmlands Gisborne
Parkview Garden Centre
Hirepool
Chainsaw & Mower Gisborne
The Gisborne I-Site
Gisborne Farmers Market
Gisborne District Council
Graeme Newlands
Heavitree
The Bushmere Arms Pumpkin Growing Festival is held annually with all proceeds going to The Cancer Society.
Competition age categories:
Junior = 12 and under
Senior/open = 13 years and onwards
Rules:
Visit the website of Bushmere Arms for more information on the venue.
We are grateful to all the amazing sponsors who make this event possible:
Bushmere Arms
The Hits Gisborne
The Gisborne Herald
Pak'nSave Gisborne
DB Judd Holdings
Bayleys Rural Gisborne
Farmlands Gisborne
Parkview Garden Centre
Hirepool
Chainsaw & Mower Gisborne
The Gisborne I-Site
Gisborne Farmers Market
Gisborne District Council
Graeme Newlands
Heavitree
The Bushmere Arms Pumpkin Growing Festival is held annually with all proceeds going to The Cancer Society.
Competition age categories:
Junior = 12 and under
Senior/open = 13 years and onwards
Rules:
- Registration ticket fee of $10 includes four giant pumpkin seeds.
- Only pumpkins grown from the official competition seeds are eligible in the competition.
- Pumpkins must be sound, and acceptance of the pumpkins is at the judges 'discretion and is final.
- Each pumpkin you enter can only be entered into one category.
- Pumpkins must be checked-in at the Bushmere Arms weigh station by 1pm Sunday 9 April 2017.
- Entrants must write their entry number on their pumpkins prior to judging.
- Entrants must present a pumpkin, this ticket and be present at the prize giving to be eligible for the Lucky Pumpkin draw.
- Pumpkins remain the property of the competition once entered.
- If, for any reason the seeds do not sprout, please contact the Bushmere Arms for complimentary replacement seeds.
Visit the website of Bushmere Arms for more information on the venue.