Both size, style carry weight at pumpkin event
EAST DUNDEE -- While it was no easy task lugging giant pumpkins to the Dundee Township Visitor's Center, it was well worth it in the end for several, who captured a virtual boatload of prizes.
Susan Bird's 117-pound pumpkin topped the scales in the weight division, followed by 100- and 93-pound runners-up.
The giant squashes, suitable for making at least a dozen pies each, were the highlight at the center's 11th annual Great Pumpkin Contest on Saturday.
However, size wasn't the only factor at hand, as far as a 10-member panel of judges was concerned. Those with a creative flair captured half of the nearly $1,200 in prizes up for grabs, such as "Ugly Beddy," submitted by Sandy Deutsch of Maple Park.
Deutsch's creation -- using a giant pumpkin for the head and antique bedroom hardware for the facial features -- snagged first place in the decorative category.
The pumpkin contest was held amid the bustling Old Dundee Farmer's Market, which assembled for the last time this season.
Bill Zelsdorf, who has run the contest since its inception in 1999, said the event is a fun way to highlight the Visitor's Center at 319 N. River St., along with the farmer's market held on its grounds on Saturdays from May through October.
Year after year, the market has gained more vendors and more followers, Zelsdorf said.
Weather is an uncontrollable factor, and it had a somewhat dampening effect this year on the market's foot traffic, he added.
"We did well this year, although the weather wasn't always nice," Zelsdorf said. "But it was still a success, as always, and will be back again next year."
Zelsdorf announced first-, second- and third-place winners in the weight and decorating categories. Winners received $300, $165 and $100, respectively, in combined gifts and gift certificates from local merchants.
Jim Wolff of Marengo took second in the weight category, followed by Joe Bobbitt. Bobbitt and Bird are actually a couple, who grow the winning vegetables in the same patch in their Carpentersville backyard.
"We use a lot of fertilizer, such as cow manure, but also take the seeds from the pumpkins from the year before," Bird said.
"I also cut the plants back this year," Bobbitt added. "More of the (sun's) energy goes into the pumpkins that way."
Peter Culver of East Dundee took second prize in the decorating category, and Karen Nedli of Carpentersville gleaned third.
Nedli's "bride" was a hit, with a white pumpkin used for the face, complimented by a veil, full makeup and a tiara.
"My daughter just got married two weeks ago, so I had wedding on the mind," Nedli said. "It is supposed to be the Bride of Frankenstein."
Nedli added with a laugh, "My daughter really doesn't need to know I did that."
