11th annual pumpkin drop looks to be a smash

11th annual pumpkin drop looks to be a smash

By ZACH SPADT

Staff Reporter

WORLAND - Orange thumbs from around the state and region will descend on Worland this weekend to compete for bragging rights and cash.

The event, of course, is the 11th annual Wyoming State Champion Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off and Pumpkin Drop. Event organizer and giant pumpkin grower Jay Richard said the event attracts growers from as far away as Nebraska and Colorado.

The event, hosted by the organization Wyo Giants, kicks off at Diesel Pickup Specialists in Worland at 8 a.m. this Saturday.

"We should have a really good turnout this year," Richard said.

This year marks the fifth year the event has been sanctioned by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth. The nearest GPC-sanctioned event is in Rapid City, South Dakota.

Like the pumpkins, the event seems to get bigger every year.

Each year, competitors weigh their pumpkins on a certified scale. The grower with the largest pumpkin will take home a $1,000 purse.

The event culminates with pumpkins being dropped on some sort of object at about 2:30 p.m. In the past, it's been cars and trucks. Richard said Worland resident Marcus Beale is bringing something to drop the pumpkin on, though he isn't sure just what yet.

Richard said there will be at least two big pumpkins to drop, but there always could be more.

In addition to the giant pumpkin contest, there will also be a competition for the largest zucchini. Richard said entries for that portion of the event are $5 each. The winner will take the entire purse.

Giant pumpkin registration is at 10 a.m., with weigh-in beginning at "precisely 11-o'clock," Richard said.

"We're not looking for any records this year, but there will be some monsters for sure," Richard said. "We could get a surprise. We could very easily get someone out of Colorado or Utah. $1,000 is worth driving up for."

Richard, who competes in the event himself, said he has three pumpkins this year that should tip the scales at roughly 1,000 pounds.

"It was a really tough year to grow this year," he said. "June was really cold."

Richard added that several of the regular growers couldn't get their pumpkins to take off due to low late-spring temperatures.

There will be something for everyone this year, with vendors, a hayride and a pumpkin squash dance the night of the event.

Over the years, the giant pumpkin drop has become a hallmark to fall in Worland right up there with sugar beet harvest. And for good reason.

The event wouldn't be possible without numerous donors, including Swing Trucking, who provides the crane.

"They deserve a huge pat on the back to bring a 165-ft crane, set it up and do this madness we're doing as a donation," Richard said. "That is something you just don't see in many places."

Richard said he hopes dropping giant pumpkins from a crane becomes something that puts Worland on the map each fall. He described it as the town's "Super Bowl."

"It's about as redneck as we can come up with," Richard said. "We have a great time doing it. Most people shake their head and ask why. Well, because we can. Why not, right? It's the 11th annual 'Why the hell do you do this? Event'

"Why not?"