Sometimes it takes a family to raise a giant pumpkin, and that's exactly what the Polay family did for this year's province-wide giant pumpkin contest.
About two dozen growers from across B.C. competed at the 11th annual competition held at Krause Berry Farms in Langley on Saturday, Oct. 5.
Mike Polay, father of the winning family with a giant pumpkin weighing 1,161 pounds, said they were hoping for more than 1,000 pounds and are happy with the achievement.
"This was our second year. We started when a grower gave us some seeds to try, and it was amazing – the plant started growing so fast," he said.
Last year's pumpkin weighed more than 500 pounds, placing the Polay family in 10th.
The Polays grow their giant pumpkin in their front yard where the neighbourhood can see its progress.
"[My] kids are very involved, and we grow lots of other vegetables. Lots of people in the community come by, all our neighbours, everyone's rooting for us," he smiled.
His family's pumpkin will be displayed in their neighbourhood of Dunbar.
It was also Aldergrove resident Megan Den Boer's second time growing a giant pumpkin, which weighed 543 pounds.
Her first submission was last year and remains her personal record weighing 583 pounds.
"[I used] a seed from my pumpkin last year to grow this year's," she told The Star.
Den Boer immediately became interested in participating after her first visit to the weigh-off three years ago.
"It's a lot of work... there's a lot of maintenance every day and trimming extra vines, but this year was a lot easier."
She gives her giant pumpkin to the Greater Vancouver Zoo for its animals.
"Last year they gave it to the badgers I think, this year's is going to the hippos," Den Boer said.
Every grower does something different with their pumpkins after the contest, but Trevor Haliday from Maple Ridge may just have the most unique use yet.
"I race them," he told the crowd just before his pumpkin was weighed at 521 pounds.
For those interested in growing giant pumpkins, Polay recommends reaching out to the giant pumpkin community for advice.
"There's lots of people willing to help. It's a passion," he said.
Both Polay and Den Boer plan to compete again next year.
The annual B.C.-wide Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off competition began in 2013 as a passion project by husband and wife team Scott and Kirstin Carley.
"Over the last 11 years, it has grown into something much bigger for the entire community of giant pumpkin growers in B.C.," Kirstin said.
She added that all funds raised go towards the next year.
"This is a hobby, not a business," she noted.
For more information on giant pumpkin growing, people can visit giantpumpkinsbc.com.
