(All photos by Stuart Shim unless noted otherwise.)
It was easy to spot where the weigh-off was located at Tanaka Farms
Banners hung in the weigh-off area
Mark Imhoof, Chief Technology Officer shows off his weighing sling for smaller entries
Chris Dunn, 2013 Pumpkinmania! Champion, arrived early to help
and to register his son, Kingston's, 2014 entry.
Glenn Tanaka, owner of Tanaka Farms, shows off his forklift skills
Mike Gray prepares his and his wife's Susan's 2014 entry for unloading
Michelle Shim shows off this year's T-shirt design.
Photo by Rocky Doke
Photo by Rocky Doke
What if you build it and no one enters?
The Gallery of Girth!
Joshua Fredricks, 35 pounds, Youngest Grower
(Note the special sling!)
Linda Hales, 95 pounds
Joseph Schaefer, 239.5 pounds, Ugliest Pumpkin
(Joseph works at Tanaka Farms. Since his boss was operating the forklift,
he intelligently decided to work his normal shift.)
Mae Powell, 256.5 pounds, Most Experienced Grower
Perri Williams, 299.5 (let's call it 300) pounds
Mike Gray, 345.5 pounds, Funniest Shape
Kevin Donahue, 361 pounds
Pat Mahoney, 490 pounds
Tom Rogers, 646 pounds, Best Color & Third Place
Kingston Dunn, 649.5 pounds, First to Register & Second Place
Jim Fredricks, 810 pounds, The 2014 Pumpkinmania!
Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off & Contest Champion!
Good morning, Pumpkinistas!
Yesterday morning's cool weather almost helped keep the temperature of this year's heated competition in check! After a brutal season that kept many growers at home, the stalwart faithful and lucky contestants dutifully made the pilgrimmage to Tanaka Farms to compete for glory, honor and $1,800 in cash prizes, and products and gift certificates.
In the end, Jim Fredricks of Santee, CA, last year's 2nd place finisher, and a previous Pumpkinmania Champion, regained the crowd and title of the biggest and baddest grower in the patch and $1,000.00 with his 810 pound entry.
Kingston Dunn, 6, of Lomita, squeaked by Tom Rogers of Mission Viejo with his 649.5 pounder to Tom's 646 pound entry, for second place. A surprised and gracious Tom, took third place and also Best Color.
All other participants received Neptune's Harvest fertilizer and highly sought caps, and Jiffy's seed germination kits.
All other participants received Neptune's Harvest fertilizer and highly sought caps, and Jiffy's seed germination kits.
Other winners included:
Funniest Shape, Mike and Susan Gray, Baldwin Park
Ugliest Pumpkin, Joseph Schaefer, Huntington Beach
Youngest Grower, Joshua Fredricks, 3, Santee
Most Experienced Grower, Mae Powell, Pasadena
For the Orange County Register article: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/giant-639932-pumpkin-grower.html
For the Orange County Register article: http://www.ocregister.com/articles/giant-639932-pumpkin-grower.html
The management of Pumpkinmania! would like to recognize the following individuals and organizations for their support, understanding and hard work:
Tanaka Farms, Irvine, CA
Gardner & Bloome division of Kellogg Garden Products
The University of California Master Gardeners of Orange County
Philippe's The Original, Los Angeles, CA
Roadkyll Graphics and Screenprinting, Santa Ana, CA
Orange County Farm Supply, Orange, CA
Sheridan Gardens, Burbank, CA
Blue Hills Nursery, Whittier, CA
Batavia Gardens, Orange, CA
Farm Supply Co., San Luis Obispo, CA
U-Haul International, Phoenix, AZ
GreenCure, Inc., Conklin, NY
Neptune's Harvest, Gloucester, MA
Beaver Plastics, Alberta, Canada
The Orange County Register, Santa Ana, CA
The Orange County Register, Santa Ana, CA
Glenn Tanaka
Ken Tanaka
Ty Hall
Mark Imhoof
Phil Concan
Chris Dunn
Casey T. Shim
Casey Shim
Lauren Shim
Michelle Shim
Thank you very much!
Thank you very much!
