Group’s Pumpkin Party to become annual event
The Rangiuru Community Group (RCG) were delighted with the level of interest in their first Pumpkin Party — now set to become an annual event.
The group, made up of chairwoman Colleen Pye, secretary Lietta Erni and treasurer Sally Benning, formed to help connect people in their local community.
A spokesperson for the group said: “It’s often difficult for people in rural communities to connect with one another, and that’s the reason we formed our group — to bring activities and events that draw in as many people as we can”.
Late last year, the RCG were donated the seeds of “behemoth giant pumpkins” from Farmlands Te Puke and Mitre 10 Te Puke and issued small packets to the interested entrants in Rangiuru and the surrounding area with a view to growing the largest pumpkin, along with other categories — smallest, unique, beautiful, and carved — culminating in 21 entries.
“We were so lucky to have amazing support by way of donated prizes from Farmlands Te Puke, Mitre 10 Te Puke, Trevelyans and Te Puke Landscaping Supplies, so that every category had a great prize, as well as a people’s choice award and “guess the weight”. Countdown Te Puke came to the party with a donation of sausages and bread.”
The prize for the largest and heaviest pumpkin went to local farmer Ron Bailey with his 67kg entry, and the smallest to Daphne Jones, with a tiny entry which was too small to weigh but very cute.
More fun was on hand with corn ball, petanque, giant Jenga and Japanese
spitz dog petting.
The group provided pumpkin soup and a sausage sizzle, and attendees were invited to bring a plate to share. Later, they were entertained by local fire dancers Tom & Tom, which turned out to be highlight of the event.
“We will be back next year — even bigger,” said Sally.