Susanna Freymark
There were familiar faces in the line-up for the announcement of the winning pumpkins and watermelons.
For years, the Giant Pumpkin and Watermelon Festival in Kyogle has enticed Dale Oliver, Lillian Cox and John Leadbeatter to compete for the top prize of heaviest pumpkin.
There is a friendly rivalry between the pumpkin growers and each festival the order of placegetters changes but Dale, Lillian and John are always there.
It was Dale’s pumpkin weighing 580.5kg that won first place.
Dale from Knockrow said he was won “too many times.”
Commentator Phil Dudman from ABC teased the growers about the techniques they used to grow the large vegetables.
Dale said he lost two big pumpkins.
“You get used to it,” he said.
“I lost one on day 40 and on day 60.”
Dale said he always learns from the pumpkins that don’t make it.
Lillian is from Tweed Valley and this is her fifth year that she has come to Kyogle seeking the top prize.
Lillian’s pumpkin came second and weighed 492kg.
Her granddaughter Matilda Cox won the Junior Champion Pumpkin with a 267.5kg pumpkin.
John Leadbeatter from The Risk came third in the Open Pumpkin section with his pumpkin weighing 327kg. He also had the heaviest watermelon weighing 57.5kg.
When Phil asked John to share his secrets for growing a giant watermelon all he would say is –”I do a few things.”
Kevin and Nanette Dodd from Casino won the Under 250kg pumpkin with theirs, which weighed 65.5kg.
The Guess the Weight pumpkin, which raises money for next year’s festival, was won by Western Australia man Martin Toohey.
As soon as Martin saw that he had won, he decided he would donate half back to the festival.
Many other prizes were given out for different vegetable categories.
More photos below.
