Annual Cumberland Fair Pumpkin and Squash Weigh Off

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THE 34rd ANNUAL CUMBERLAND FAIR PUMPKIN AND SQUASH WEIGH OFF      This year’s 2023 Cumberland Fair will host the 34rd Annual Maine State Pumpkin and Squash Weigh-In. Each year promises much anticipation and excitement to see who will grow record-breaking massive gourds!

 

Weigh-off

  1. All judges’ decisions are final. All judges will be responsible to have a complete knowledge of all rules and how to implement them fairly. It will be necessary to have a current copy of the rules present at each site in public view so anyone may reference them.
  2. Growers are to aid and assist the site in running the weigh-off upholding the integrity of the weigh-off
  3. The Cumberland Farmer’s Club representative and site coordinator are to be in charge of the gathering of registration, money, weights, measurements, and other information deemed necessary. All decisions made by the Cumberland Farmer’s Club are final.
  4. Site coordinators, growers, and the Cumberland Farmer’s Club representatives, and site representatives are to work as a team to ensure each site is as accommodating to the growers, site, and Cumberland Farmer’s Club as possible, upholding the values of fair competition.
  5. The Cumberland Farmer’s Club Giant Pumpkin/Squash weigh-offs are open to anyone wishing to participate without prejudice. All growers must comply with all rules and regulations set forth at the weigh-off site they wish to participate in. Any rules the Cumberland Farmer’s Club wishes to have must be fair and impartial for all growers.  6. The above-mentioned representatives will also assume responsibility of ensuring the integrity of the fruits and that scales have been calibrated by a recognized weights and measurement business or government prior to the weigh-off.

Fruits and Growers

  1. The entry must be grown, cared for from seed to harvest, and exhibited by the grower. In case of an emergency the site coordinator, grower representative, and site representative will make a decision on the validity of the excuse.
  2. Number of entries shall be limited to the following in the name of fairness: Giant Pumpkins – Adult: One entry per family. Giant Squash – Adult: One entry per family. Giant Pumpkins – Child (ages 8-15): One entry per child; limit 3 children per family. Giant Squash – Child (ages 8-15): One entry per child; limit 3 children per family. Jack-O-Lanterns – Adult: One entry per family. Jack-O-Lanterns – Child (under 15): One entry per child; limit 3 children per family.
  3. Judges for a weigh-off will consist of the club/grower representative, site coordinator, and site representative, or 2 experienced growers. The two judges for the growers will be appointed by the Cumberland Farmers Club representatives. If any judge has an entry that is in question or cannot be present the day of the weigh-off, they will be excused from the judge’s panel and another grower will be appointed in their place.
  4.  All specimens must be weighed on a certified scale. A certified scale is one that has been inspected and certified by a Federal Governmental Agency and must have a current certification sticker attached to the scale. Scales that have been certified by a local government agency for commercial purposes are also acceptable scales.
  5. No foreign material (i.e. fungicides, caulking, skin additives, etc.) will be permitted in the weighing of any fruit. Vines must be trimmed to within one inch of the stem of the fruit. The judges have the right to inspect any and all fruit before weights and measurements become official. Refusal of any inspection to any entry will cause the entry to be classified “exhibition” only.
  6. The specimen must be sound, healthy, and undamaged. Entries must be free of rot, holes or cracks through to the cavity and serious soft spots.    A. If a soft spot is superficial and does not go through to the cavity of the fruit, it will be judged as an official entry.    B. The judges reserve the right to prove cracks, holes, and to dig out soft spots to judge a fruit official or not. Before the judges can execute any of the previous, they must have the grower present.
  7. Any fruit that has been weighed at a previous weigh-off, be it a GPC or independent event, will not be considered for prize money and shall be classified Exhibition at the Cumberland Fair Weigh-off.
  8. All entries, except Jack-O-Lanterns, must arrive on a pallet for ease of handling by Cumberland Fair personnel.
  9. Giant pumpkin/squash must weigh at least 100 pounds to enter.
  10. All entries must stay on the fairgrounds for the entire duration of the fair.
  11. Fruit will be accepted at designated gate only from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. on Sunday
  12. Fruit will be weighed beginning at 9:30 a.m. Sunday,
  13.  Jack-O-Lanterns may be moved to inside the Exhibition Hall after weigh-off.

 

Color Requirements and Prize Money

  1.  A. Squash will be classified as follows – 100% of the following colors or color combinations: green, blue, and gray. The surface area of the fruit as grown in the garden, not including the portion that was in contact with, or close proximity to the ground. This area will include the area between the ribs, around the stem, and the blossom end. This will not include any netting (canteloping) or any discoloration caused by the close proximity to, or the area on the ground. B. Pumpkins will be all fruit not classified as squash.
  2. In the event of a tie of two or more places, all entries that are tied will have the prize money for the places that are tied, added together then split equally amongst the places that are involved.
  3. Winner will be the heaviest pumpkin or squash by weight.
  4. All fruit entered shall be grown within the borders of the State of Maine to be eligible for premiums. The Cumberland Farmers Club and its officially sanctioned site shall not be held liable for compensation, loss, damage, or injury to any person, exhibit, or personal property. All premiums are not guaranteed. Money payouts will be contingent upon receipt of sponsorship amounts received.
  6. PREMIUMS/PRIZES:                                                                 
    1.    15.001 Giant Pumpkin – Adult             1st through 10th
    2.     Prizes also given for:      Most Beautiful Pumpkin – Adult                       Ugliest Pumpkin – Adult
    3. 15.002 Giant Pumpkin – Children under  15 1st through 10th
    4. Prizes also given for Most Beautiful Pumpkin – Child
    5.   15.003 Giant Squash – Adult     1st through 10th
    6.   15.004 Giant Squash – Children under 15 1st through 10th
    7.    15.005 Old-Fashioned Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin – Adult  1st through 5th
    8.  15.006 Old-Fashioned Jack-O-Lantern Pumpkin – Children under 15    1st through 5th
    9.   A $250 bonus, sponsored by the Cumberland Fair, will be awarded for a new fair record in the Giant Pumpkin class over 1,677 lbs. at the Cumberland Fair. The qualifying pumpkin must be grown in the State of Maine. In the event of 2 or more pumpkins weighing more than 1,677 lbs., the heaviest pumpkin will be awarded the bonus. *A $150 bonus, sponsored by the Cumberland Fair, will be awarded for a new fair record in the Giant Squash class over 1,130 lbs. at the Cumberland Fair. The qualifying squash must be grown in the State of Maine. In the event of 2 or more squash weighing more than 1,130 lbs., the heaviest squash will be awarded the bonus.