PHILLIPSTON – It was a perfect cool, crisp, New England fall day, Sunday. No better weather could have been found for the annual pumpkin weigh-in at Red Apple Farm. Families from all around visited the farm to sample local offerings, visit with the animals, wander through the orchards and, of course, watch the weigh-in.
The largest pumpkin entered in the event came from Art Kaczenski of Erving, which weighed 1,277 pounds.
Kaczenski says he doesn’t own a farm, he simply grows a few pumpkins each year just for the fun of it.
“I only grow, maybe, seven or eight plants,” he said. “Sometimes they don’t all do so well, so you never know what you’re going to get.”
In addition to taking first place in Phillipston on Sunday, Kaczenski said he also came in number-one at the Franklin County Fair in Greenfield, and at the Big E in Springfield. He also competed recently in the Topsfield Fair, which was won by a Connecticut man who entered the 2,294.5 pounder which set a new record.
Kaczenski said he’s been growing pumpkins for competition for 31 years.
Asked if he had a secret for growing the giant orange orbs, he replied matter-of-factly, “No, not really. Just give them lots of water, lots of organics, and lots of plant food.”
Second Place in the adult category went to Eric and Angela Amato, with an entry weighing 589 pounds. Rolan and Tammy Matthews captured third, with an entry tipping the scales at 296 pounds.
In the Kids Division, Dan Coppolino took the top spot with a pumpkin weighing-in at 286 pounds. Alec Olson’s entry took second-place at 26 pounds, while sister Evelyn Olson earned third-place honors with a pumpkin weighing two pounds.”
Sponsors that made Sunday’s event possible include: Red Apple Farm, King Phillip Restaurant, Country Farm Bread, Lyman’s Excavating, Jon’s Automotive, Adam’s Farm, Green Acre Farm, Royer Catering, Brookside Equipment, Paul Lyons dba Mass Handgun Safety, Phillipston Fire & EMS Association.