A grower from Ontario had his 1,711-pound pumpkin disqualified from the Port Elgin Pumpkinfest weigh-off due to a soft spot, despite nearly clinching the top prize. Jeff Warner, from Englehart, Ontario, had hoped for a shot at winning but was ultimately disqualified for a small soft spot on his giant pumpkin. Warner, undeterred by the setback, decided to participate in the competition anyway and made the nine-hour journey to the fair with his massive gourd in tow.
Despite efforts to salvage the pumpkin by scraping away at the soft spot to prevent further rot, the hole continued to grow during the trip. Upon arrival, judges determined that the hole exceeded the allowable size for qualification, leaving Warner disappointed but understanding of the rules. The winning pumpkin weighed 1,542 pounds, lighter than Warner’s impressive entry.
Warner, who dedicated considerable time and effort to growing his pumpkins, expressed pride in his cultivation efforts despite falling short at the competition. While his pumpkin did not claim the top prize, it attracted attention from visitors who stopped to admire and take photos with the giant gourd. Warner plans to transport the pumpkin to a polar habitat where it will be fed to polar bears, giving it a unique second life.