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Location

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Date Posted

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Operation Pumpkin in Hamilton, Ohio has informed the SOGPG that they no longer wish to sponsor or hold a GPC weigh-off. The news caught us quite off guard after several successful events and we are currently exploring different location possibilities and various other options. You can rest assured that we will have a weigh-off somewhere this fall and we will endeavor to have it at our usual time in October.

The SOGPG is quite thankful for the amount of participation we have received at Operation Pumpkin from all growers, local and distant, and for the generosity of those who have contributed to our auctions. Updates will follow as we have anything significant to report.

1/24/2022 5:10:55 PM

Lexington, Ky

Without the weigh off, Operation Pumpkin will be just another event with nothing to offer but over priced food trucks and craft vendors. Those events are a dime a dozen. The local press coverage was mainly the giant pumpkins and pumpkin carving which I suspect hasn't gone unnoticed. It wouldn't surprise me if they hold their own weigh off or at least try some gimmick to retain the giants. It was an awesome symbiotic relationship, it's sad to hear the news.

2/2/2022 8:44:27 AM

South Bloomfield, Ohio

Thanks, Jamie, but OP has a GPC weigh-off scheduled at the usual time this year and we are looking at several locations. My initial impression was that they no longer wished to hold a weigh-off, but that is not the case, so your assessment is correct.

2/2/2022 1:14:01 PM

Lexington, Ky

I've seen the recent posts, I'm not surprised. Doesn't make much sense to me though. I would hope to see a boycott of the Hamilton event but with that much money on the line AND it's a GPC weigh off to boot, probably won't happen. I've seen it over and over in my life, someone has to take something that's already built and make it their own and relish in the credit for such a marvelous thing. I hope that there's something out there that can help me make sense of the change.

3/17/2022 1:29:23 PM

Circleville

If Operation Pumpkin is continuing with an event including a GPC weigh off, as planned, then why is SOGPG lookin for another venue??
Why is the club not supporting that GPC weigh off?

3/17/2022 2:26:27 PM

Georgia

Blooms, maybe I am not totally understanding, but it looks like the SOGPG was essentially "fired" from running the weigh-off. I can understand the resentment from the SOGPG. From their perspective they introduced the the event and ran it for several years and now they are being the shown the door.

3/17/2022 7:35:10 PM

Lexington, Ky

I've spoken to a few SOGPG members privately, none of them have expressed any resentment whatsoever. Matter of fact, each of them had nothing but good things to say about Operation Pumpkin. 100% class! My personal disappointment is not a reflection of the SOGPG's take on this matter. I look forward to the new SOGPG weigh off, those guys know how to run a fantastic event.

3/18/2022 7:42:09 AM