Paso Robles
Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off
Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off
| Event Contact Tammy Robinson or Kim Peterson 503 Spring Street Paso Robles, CA 93446 Phone (805) 238-2019 Fax (805) 238-2820 tammy@petersonloans.com |
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G.P.C. Rules and Regulations
THE GREAT PUMPKIN COMMONWEALTH
Rules and regulations for giant pumpkins and squash competition.
Article I weigh-off sites and club/group
1) A GPC weigh-off site is separate and distinct from a giant pumpkin Club/group in the
following respects.
2) The weigh-off site is the actual location where a GPC sanctioned weighoff occurs.
3) The weigh-off site must have an available representative who the GPC Executive
Committee may contact. This person shall act as an official GPC representative.
4) The GPC sanctioned charter to hold an official GPC weigh-off can not be moved from an
official GPC site unless the site representative and the Executive Committee give approval.
5) The GPC site is responsible for the annual GPC charter fee. A club/group may provide the
site fee but it is ultimately the sites responsibility.
6) The GPC gives each site the flexibility to have prize money, and payouts as they choose.
The GPC rules will be strictly enforced for weights, soundness of fruit, certification of scales,
and color as stated herein. Each site will be responsible for providing no less than 3 and no
more than 5 judges. Judges responsibilities will be explained in Article II section 4. All judges’
decisions are final. All judges will be responsible to have a complete knowledge of all rules
and how to implement them fairly. It will be necessary to have a current copy of the rules
present at each site in public view so anyone may reference them.
7) Pumpkin clubs/groups are to aid and assist the site in running a GPC sanctioned weigh-off
upholding the integrity of the GPC and the weigh-off site.
8) Club/group representative and site coordinator are to be in charge of the gathering of
registration, money, weights, measurements, and other information deemed necessary by the
Executive Committee and the weighoff site.
9) The site coordinator is primarily responsible to assist any new weigh-off site with proper
application paper work for GPC approval and to ensure that fees are paid before deadlines.
Existing sites are to be contacted periodically to ensure fees are submitted in the proper time
frame and the site is comfortable with the weigh-off arrangement.
10) The club/group representative will be the direct link between the Executive Committee
and the growers. All communications from the growers to the Executive Committee and from
Executive Committee to the growers will be channeled through this person.
11) Site coordinators, club/group representatives, and site representatives are to work as a
team to ensure each site is as accommodating to the growers, site, and GPC as possible
upholding the values of fair competition.
Article II Fruits and Growers
1) The entry must be grown, cared for, from seed to harvest, and exhibited by the grower. In
case of an emergency the site coordinator, club/grower representative, and site representative
will make a decision on the validity of the excuse. Only the heaviest entry, one per class
(pumpkin-squash) from one fixed address/household will be eligible for GPC prize money.
2) The GPC will recognize two entries per fixed address/household for top ten average only.
3) A specimen must be entered and weighed at one of the sanctioned weighoff sites. This must
happen on the recognized weigh-off date for that site to be eligible for GPC prize money and
recognition.
4) Judges for a weigh-off will consist of the club/grower representative, site coordinator, site
representative, and two experienced growers. The two judges from the growers will be
appointed by the three GPC representatives. If any Judge has an entry that is in question or
can not be present the day of the weigh-off they will be excused from the Judges panel and
another grower will be appointed in their place.
5) All specimens that will be submitted to the GPC for prize money and recognition must be
weighed on a certified scale with only the fruit on the scale. Any fruit weighed with a tarp,
pallet, or any other lifting device will be classified unofficial weight or UOW.
6) No foreign material (i.e.: fungicides, caulking, skin additives etcetera) will be permitted in
the weighing of any fruit. Vines must be trimmed to within one inch of the stem of the fruit. The
judges have the right to inspect any and all fruit before weights and measurements become
official. Refusal of any inspection to an entry will cause the entry to be classified exhibition only.
7) The specimen must be sound, healthy, and undamaged. Entries must be free of rot, holes or
cracks through to the cavity, and serious soft spots.
8) No specimen will be allowed into competition at a GPC site if that specimen has been
previously entered at another competition.
Article III Color Requirements and Prize Money
1) Heaviest official fruit wins- all pumpkins and squash will be weighed in one category with
the heaviest fruit winning.
2) All specimens submitted to the Executive Committee for solid colour prize money must
have pictures (preferably digital camera) taken from all four sides and the top. These pictures
must be of good quality without white flash spots or sun wash out obscuring the specimen. All
pictures and information regarding each specimen must be e-mailed or mailed to all Executive
Committee members by no later than October 31st of the year the fruit was weighed. The
Executive Committee’s decision is final.
3) In the event of a tie of two or more places all entries that are tied will have the prize money
for the places that are tied added together then split equally amongst the places that are
involved.
Article IV Weigh-off Dates and Mileage Requirements
1) The GPC will recognize a weigh-off period instead of a fixed Weigh-off date. The weigh-
off period will start on the first day of July and extend to the 21st of October.
2) There shall be no minimum mileage distance recognized between GPC sanctioned weigh-
off sites. The Executive Committee will decide as to where and when GPC sanctioned weigh-
off sites will be allowed regardless of distance between sites and calendar dates.
3) Rain dates will be permitted under the following guidelines: All rain dates must be submitted
for approval by the Executive Committee no later than July 1st of the year the weigh-off is to
be held. All sites must make every concession for fair and inclement weather. Rain dates will
only be used in the case of an emergency, after the Executive Committee gives approval to
move the weigh-off date to the rain date. The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth and its officially
sanctioned sites shall not be held liable for compensation, loss, damage, or injury to any
person, exhibit, or personal property.
Rules and regulations for giant pumpkins and squash competition.
Article I weigh-off sites and club/group
1) A GPC weigh-off site is separate and distinct from a giant pumpkin Club/group in the
following respects.
2) The weigh-off site is the actual location where a GPC sanctioned weighoff occurs.
3) The weigh-off site must have an available representative who the GPC Executive
Committee may contact. This person shall act as an official GPC representative.
4) The GPC sanctioned charter to hold an official GPC weigh-off can not be moved from an
official GPC site unless the site representative and the Executive Committee give approval.
5) The GPC site is responsible for the annual GPC charter fee. A club/group may provide the
site fee but it is ultimately the sites responsibility.
- New site fees along with proper work are due by the first day of June the same
calendar year the weigh-off is to be held. - Existing site fees along with any site updates are due by the First day of July the same
calender year the weigh-off is to be held. All site fees received after July 1st will be
subject to a $100 late fee. - The Executive Committee reserves the right to deny acceptance of weights for GPC
prize money and recognition if the time lines are not met.
6) The GPC gives each site the flexibility to have prize money, and payouts as they choose.
The GPC rules will be strictly enforced for weights, soundness of fruit, certification of scales,
and color as stated herein. Each site will be responsible for providing no less than 3 and no
more than 5 judges. Judges responsibilities will be explained in Article II section 4. All judges’
decisions are final. All judges will be responsible to have a complete knowledge of all rules
and how to implement them fairly. It will be necessary to have a current copy of the rules
present at each site in public view so anyone may reference them.
7) Pumpkin clubs/groups are to aid and assist the site in running a GPC sanctioned weigh-off
upholding the integrity of the GPC and the weigh-off site.
8) Club/group representative and site coordinator are to be in charge of the gathering of
registration, money, weights, measurements, and other information deemed necessary by the
Executive Committee and the weighoff site.
9) The site coordinator is primarily responsible to assist any new weigh-off site with proper
application paper work for GPC approval and to ensure that fees are paid before deadlines.
Existing sites are to be contacted periodically to ensure fees are submitted in the proper time
frame and the site is comfortable with the weigh-off arrangement.
10) The club/group representative will be the direct link between the Executive Committee
and the growers. All communications from the growers to the Executive Committee and from
Executive Committee to the growers will be channeled through this person.
11) Site coordinators, club/group representatives, and site representatives are to work as a
team to ensure each site is as accommodating to the growers, site, and GPC as possible
upholding the values of fair competition.
- All GPC sanctioned weigh-offs are open to anyone wishing to participate without
prejudice. All growers must comply with all rules and regulations set forth at the GPC
weigh-off site they wish to participate in. Any rules the GPC site wishes to have must
be fair and impartial for all growers wishing to participate. - The above mentioned representatives will also assume responsibility of ensuring the
integrity of the fruits and that scales have been calibrated by a recognized weights and
measurement business or government agency prior to the weigh-off.
Article II Fruits and Growers
1) The entry must be grown, cared for, from seed to harvest, and exhibited by the grower. In
case of an emergency the site coordinator, club/grower representative, and site representative
will make a decision on the validity of the excuse. Only the heaviest entry, one per class
(pumpkin-squash) from one fixed address/household will be eligible for GPC prize money.
- A fixed address/household will be defined as any two people or more that grow
compatibly at a single address or household i.e.: husband/wife, father/son, two friends
or more, etc. - The growers must still adhere to Article I Section 11 paragraph A and Article II
Section 1 for multiple residence entries to be deemed official. - This rule must be enforced by the representatives and growers of each GPC weigh-off
site.
2) The GPC will recognize two entries per fixed address/household for top ten average only.
3) A specimen must be entered and weighed at one of the sanctioned weighoff sites. This must
happen on the recognized weigh-off date for that site to be eligible for GPC prize money and
recognition.
4) Judges for a weigh-off will consist of the club/grower representative, site coordinator, site
representative, and two experienced growers. The two judges from the growers will be
appointed by the three GPC representatives. If any Judge has an entry that is in question or
can not be present the day of the weigh-off they will be excused from the Judges panel and
another grower will be appointed in their place.
5) All specimens that will be submitted to the GPC for prize money and recognition must be
weighed on a certified scale with only the fruit on the scale. Any fruit weighed with a tarp,
pallet, or any other lifting device will be classified unofficial weight or UOW.
- A certified scale is one that has been inspected and certified by a Federal
Governmental Agency and must have a current certification sticker attached to the
scale. Scales that have been certified by a local government agency for commercial
purposes are also acceptable scales.
6) No foreign material (i.e.: fungicides, caulking, skin additives etcetera) will be permitted in
the weighing of any fruit. Vines must be trimmed to within one inch of the stem of the fruit. The
judges have the right to inspect any and all fruit before weights and measurements become
official. Refusal of any inspection to an entry will cause the entry to be classified exhibition only.
7) The specimen must be sound, healthy, and undamaged. Entries must be free of rot, holes or
cracks through to the cavity, and serious soft spots.
- If a soft spot is superficial and does not go through to the cavity of the fruit, it will be
judged as an official entry. - The Judges reserve the right to probe cracks, holes, and to dig out soft spots to judge a
fruit official or not. Before the Judges can execute any of the previous they must have
the grower present.
8) No specimen will be allowed into competition at a GPC site if that specimen has been
previously entered at another competition.
Article III Color Requirements and Prize Money
1) Heaviest official fruit wins- all pumpkins and squash will be weighed in one category with
the heaviest fruit winning.
- Squash will be classified as follows- 100% of the following colors or color
combinations green, blue, and gray. The surface area of the their place. - Pumpkins will be all fruit not classified as squash.
- To be eligible for additional recognition for solid color pumpkins the fruit must be,
100% of the following colours or colour combinations orange, red, yellow, and salmon.
The surface area will be judged by the same rule as stated in paragraph A. - The Executive Committee will take a stance on rewarding the solid color 100% for
pumpkins and squash as defined above in order to reward the growers who preserve
solid colors of fruit
2) All specimens submitted to the Executive Committee for solid colour prize money must
have pictures (preferably digital camera) taken from all four sides and the top. These pictures
must be of good quality without white flash spots or sun wash out obscuring the specimen. All
pictures and information regarding each specimen must be e-mailed or mailed to all Executive
Committee members by no later than October 31st of the year the fruit was weighed. The
Executive Committee’s decision is final.
3) In the event of a tie of two or more places all entries that are tied will have the prize money
for the places that are tied added together then split equally amongst the places that are
involved.
Article IV Weigh-off Dates and Mileage Requirements
1) The GPC will recognize a weigh-off period instead of a fixed Weigh-off date. The weigh-
off period will start on the first day of July and extend to the 21st of October.
2) There shall be no minimum mileage distance recognized between GPC sanctioned weigh-
off sites. The Executive Committee will decide as to where and when GPC sanctioned weigh-
off sites will be allowed regardless of distance between sites and calendar dates.
3) Rain dates will be permitted under the following guidelines: All rain dates must be submitted
for approval by the Executive Committee no later than July 1st of the year the weigh-off is to
be held. All sites must make every concession for fair and inclement weather. Rain dates will
only be used in the case of an emergency, after the Executive Committee gives approval to
move the weigh-off date to the rain date. The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth and its officially
sanctioned sites shall not be held liable for compensation, loss, damage, or injury to any
person, exhibit, or personal property.