Fourteen years ago Ross Sweeting, Rose Russill, and Richard Krainyk were sitting in the Fairlight Drop In Centre. As they visited here they began wondering what different events they could hold in order to raise money for the Drop In Centre and the Community Hall.
"I told them that I had a big pumpkin coming," Russill explained. "Ross and Richard both said they could grow bigger. It was just a fun bet that started it all."
That year, according to locals, Russill grew a fairly small pumpkin, which was beat out by Sweeting and Krainyk; however, the tale of this first competition revealed that Sweeting and Krainyk wanted to beat Russill so badly they ended up purchasing pumpkins from others in the area to ensure a win. Though there was a winner that year between Sweeting and Krainyk, no one could really remember which one won; but, all laughed at how Russill was the only honest competitor.
"This all started with... a bet in the Drop In and has just grown ever since," Fairlight Rec Board President, Tyler Adamson, explained.
This year the Fairlight Pumpkin Weigh-In, held on Saturday, Oct. 5, was made an evening of entertainment for the community through a steak supper and socialization, was another great success.
In June of this year the event truly began as the Pumpkin Calcutta was held. A total of 20 pumpkin growers were eager to participate in the event. The growers are then auctioned off on a bet as to who will grow the largest pumpkin for the year.
This year the highest bid was $600 on Richard Krainyk's pumpkin, who holds the overall record of 607 lbs from 2006. This year, however, his pumpkin was large; but, was unable to crack the top six.
Overall the Calcutta brought in $5,330. Half of this was kept for the Rec Board Funds to help pay for the Drop In Centre's needs as well as those of the Community Hall.
This meant a total of $2,665 was to be split between the top six buyers of the Calcutta.
Despite organizers' fears of a poor turnout due to the late harvest in the area, they were pleasantly surprised when extra tables had to be set up to accommodate the many people in attendance.
As the night progressed through the delicious meal, the organizers began the weigh-in.
Pumpkins began to be brought forth by volunteers. Children, who had ran to the front for the best seat in the house, laughed as smaller pumpkins were set down and gasped when six men struggled to set down the larger ones on the scale.
Overall the night saw two pumpkin's scratch meaning they had been lost to frost or were simply unavailable for the evening's festivities.
The "boobie" prize of smallest pumpkin went to Lisa Wilson, who graciously accepted as her nine pound pumpkin was simply unable to compete when sixth place went to Sherri Metz with a pumpkin weighing 153 lbs.
Fifth place went to Rose Russill, one of the original three, with a pumpkin weighing 219 lbs.
Fourth place, with a pumpkin of 244 lbs, went to Danielle Brehaut who was overcome by third place grower Brian Rowley with a pumpkin over 100 lbs heavier than hers. Rowley's weighed a total of 347 lbs.
The competition heated up when first and second place pumpkins were weighed. Just to look at them, Fairmede Syndicate's and Bryson Melnick's pumpkins were very similar in size, both larger, even, than many of the children attending. The pumpkins were weighed, each having been brought in on different material, one a tarp and the other a blanket. As people waited to see the results a weight of 417.5 lbs meant a tie between the two.
Carried in on the same blanket for the second tie breaking weigh-in Fairmede Syndicate's pumpkin came away at 418 lbs, meaning Bryson Melnick's pumpkin would be the winner at 427 lbs.
Overall organizers and attendees had a wonderful evening of merriment. From children's amazement regarding the colossal pumpkins to a delicious meal and a drink everyone thoroughly enjoyed their evening celebrating the 14th Annual Fairlight Pumpkin Weigh-In, an event, which has lasted throughout the years after Russill was simply challenged in a bet by Sweeting and Krainyk.
