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Ridgefield Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off Festival, September 26

By Meghan Friedland, Editor/Publisher Macaroni Kid Greater Danbury, CT September 9, 2021

Giant pumpkins will take over Ballard Park in Ridgefield for the 9th Annual Ridgefield Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off Festival on Sunday, September 26th from 10am-3pm!

The Connecticut Giant Pumpkin Grower Club is excited to see the community come together again this year after last year's weigh off was held without spectators due to Covid, and are hopeful that there might be a 2,000 pound pumpkin this year! In addition to giant pumpkins, there is something for everyone. There will be multiple musical performances throughout the day. Vendors include farm stands, local business, community groups, and more! Many of our vendors have fun children's activities planned. Henny Penny will be back again this year with their amazing farm animals. Stop by to see a pumpkin carving demonstration. If you are hungry, we've got you covered. Grab a waffle from Waffle Cabin or pizza from Genoa's pizza truck and stay for the whole day!

Decorate a pumpkin at home and bring it to Ballard Park to enter in the pumpkin decorating contest (See flyer below)! Additionally children can participate in our pumpkin peek-a-boo searching for pumpkin emojis around the event.

You may be wondering - what exactly is a pumpkin weigh off? Growers bring their giant pumpkins, grown in New England, NY, PA on pickup trucks and trailers to Ballard Park. The pumpkins are lifted off the trucks and lined up in the park until the weighing begins. A large scale is set up by the gazebo. The pumpkins are measured to estimate their weight (some will go heavy, some will go light) and then weighed in order of expected lightest to expected heaviest.  Plaques, ribbons, and cash prizes are awarded to the winners. In addition to giant pumpkins, growers will bring giant green squash, long gourds, field pumpkins, marrows, bushel gourds, and giant tomatoes to compete for awards in those categories. Come early and watch the giants get unloaded from their trucks. Try to guess which one you think will be the heaviest. Weighing begins at noon in front of the gazebo!

The Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off Festival is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors: Ridgefield Overhead Doors, Agriventures Agway, Hollandia Nurseries, Ridgefield's HamletHub and Macaroni Kid Greater Danbury.

Be sure to stop by Ballard Park on Sunday, September 26th and see the great pumpkin right here in Ridgefield!