Thu Apr 22 10:42:11 UTC 2010
A giant pumpkin weighing a monstrous 320 kg ensured an easy win for Drikus Kleynhans from Sasolburg who competed against 27 other pumpkin growers for the 2010 Giant Pumpkin Champion crown. These Giant Pumpkins are truly something to see! The Shoprite Checkers Giant Pumpkin Competition was held recently at the Freshmark distribution Centre in Brackenfell. Drikus, who set a South African record at the 2008 Giant Pumpkin Competition with his 379.5 kg pumpkin, but was unable to compete in 2009, was overjoyed to this year once again walk away with the championship title and prize money to the value of R10 000.
The second prize of R5 000 was awarded to a 246 kg pumpkin belonging to Bertus Steyn from Sonop, Hamlet, while his 209 kg pumpkin positioned Martin Uys from Melkbosstrand in third place with a cash prize of R2 000.
The award for most beautiful pumpkin went to Ansie van Zyl from Panorama in Bellville who received a Freshmark hamper for her attractive 112kg entry. Freshmark hampers were also awarded to Leon Martin Louw from Langebaan for entering the cutest 16kg Butternut, and Hendrik de Boer from Porterville for his most awkward looking 149kg pumpkin.
Members of the public are invited to view the winning pumpkin that will be on display at Checkers Hyper Brackenfell until Sunday, 24 April.
Contests for pumpkin growers competing on size are very popular all over the world. In the Western Cape the period from September to April is peak time for pumpkin growing and to mark this, Shoprite Checkers hosted its own competition to find the Giant Pumpkin Champion. The competition kicked off in August 2009 when Shoprite Checkers invited pumpkin growers in the Western Cape who believed he or she could grow a pumpkin of phenomenal size to register for the competition. All the entrants received seeds and growers kits, and were urged to take good care of their pumpkins till judging day.
The Shoprite Checkers Giant Pumpkin Competition is registered with the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth and all pumpkin weights verified at the event are recognized as official in terms of international giant pumpkin records.