NEW FORMAT
Saratoga Giant Pumpkinfest being spread out over two-week period
SARATOGA COUNTY, N.Y. » Some of the region’s biggest pumpkins are currently on display in Saratoga County for the Saratoga Giant Pumpkinfest.
The annual festival - typically a one-day event held at Saratoga Spa State Park and attended by thousands - is instead spread over a two-week period spanning several spots throughout Saratoga County for 2020.
All are welcome to admire this year’s pumpkins through Oct. 14 at seven different locations. They are Hoffman Car Wash & Hoffman Jiffy Lube at 5 Lowes Dr. in Wilton, Mabey’s Moving & Storage, Inc. at 142 Raylinsky Rd. in Ballston Lake, Coburg Village at Coburg Village Way in Rexford, Stewart’s Shops at 1736 Rt. 9 in Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs City Center at 522 Broadway in Saratoga Springs, Sunnyside Gardens at 345 Church St. in Saratoga Springs, and the main entrance of Saratoga Spa State Park on Route 9 in Saratoga Springs.
Though the fall festival looks a lot different this year, the pumpkins are still as plump as ever.
At a local weigh-in event attended exclusively by growers, who traveled from throughout New York, Massachusetts, and Vermont with their oversized harvests, a total of 20 giant pumpkins competed to be the Saratoga Giant Pumpkinfest champion.
The heaviest, grown by Chris McDonald of New Berlin in central New York, measured 1,665 pounds. Second place was awarded to Dan Kruszyna of Masschussets for his 1,547-pound pumpkin and third place went to John Young of Vermont for a 1,469-pound pumpkin.
Additionally, two New York state records were set, one for the heaviest watermelon at 198 pounds and another for the heaviest gourd at 258 pounds.
Those who venture out to view the giant pumpkins are asked to practice social distancing and wear masks when they are near other people, to ensure a safe experience for everyone.
“With COVID 19, we simply could not hold this event for the general public to attend,” Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce President Todd Shimkus said. “Last year, we had more than 15,000 people come out for the Saratoga Giant PumpkinFest in the Saratoga Spa State Park and were now limited to events with less than 50 people.”
Thanks to the generosity of sponsors and organizers, Shimkus said, the chamber was able to distribute seven of the giant pumpkins around Saratoga County so local individuals and families can visit the pumpkins on their own at these sites.
“You can take pictures of your families with them in these locations,” Shimkus said. “In fact, people might like this better as they can get right up next to and touch the pumpkins this year, whereas last year they were all inside a fence and less accessible.”
The chamber hopes that as people travel around to the seven different locations to see the giant pumpkins that they’ll also dine out at local restaurants or do take out, and consider shopping local too.