Hundreds of pumpkin enthusiasts rolled into the small community of Roland last weekend for the town’s Pumpkin Fair, culminating in the annual giant-pumpkin weigh-off.
Although Henry Banman’s entry fell short of his 2011 record — 1,379.8 lbs. — he took home the championship with a pumpkin weighing 1,111.5 lbs. It’s the sixth time he’s won the grand prize since he began entering the competition 11 years ago.
Evan Bartel of Morris came in second with a pumpkin weighing 1,067 pounds. Third place went to Dave Reimer of Roland.
Interest in giant pumpkins has been growing in Roland since Edgar VanWyck made the Guinness Book of World Records in 1977 for growing what was the largest pumpkin at that time.
All photos by Shannon VanRaes.
-
-
Three-year-old Nora Baschuk and her younger brother Daxton enjoy the Roland Pumpkin Fair, while dressed for the occasion.
-
-
The Roland Volunteer Fire Department loads pumpkins onto a scale during Roland’s giant-pumpkin weigh-off.
-
-
The Roland Volunteer Fire Department loads pumpkins onto a scale during Roland’s giant-pumpkin weigh-off.
-
-
The Roland Volunteer Fire Department loads pumpkins onto a scale during Roland’s giant-pumpkin weigh-off.
-
-
Henry Banman of Schanzenfeld is interviewed by a local television crew after his 1,111.5-lb. pumpkin took the grand prize at the annual Roland Pumpkin Fair’s giant-pumpkin weigh-off.
-
-
Forklifts are used to unload giant pumpkins at the Roland Pumpkin Fair.
-
-
Tyson, age 12, counts up gourd sales.
-
-
Henry Banman of Schanzenfeld (r) stands next to fair founders after taking the top prize at the annual Roland Pumpkin Fair’s giant-pumpkin weigh-off.
-
-
Pumpkins are measured at the Roland Pumpkin Fair’s
giant-pumpkin weigh-off.
-
-
The skin of a giant pumpkin shows the scars and nicks
it developed while growing.
-
-
The Roland Volunteer Fire Department loads pumpkins onto a scale during
Roland’s giant-pumpkin weigh-off.
-
-
The Roland Pumpkin Fair gets its start with a pancake
breakfast.
