1,941 pounds was the largest pumpkin in Gonvick Saturday
Tue, 10/01/2024 - 10:26am
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The 31 annual pumpkin Day was held in Gonvick last Saturday with a variety of events that were scheduled from morning to the fireworks held at dusk.
Pumpkins winners were given money for their entries. First place $1,000, 2nd place $500, 3rd place $250, 4th place $150 and 5th through 10th place $100 each. The Best of Show was $100. That was given to Zach Buss who had the most beautiful looking one of them all.
The largest pumpkin was with Wade Klema and JJ Solberg from Gonvick at 1,941 pounds. That was down from the 2,242 giant that they raised last year. Second place was Tucker Johnson, Clearbrook, at 1006.5. His personal best in the 30 years that he has been in the contest was 1,341. Third place was Bobby Edevold, Gonvick, at 971. His personal best has been 1,210. This year his plot was attacked by a bear. Fourth place was Charles Bergh, Milaca, at 769.5 slightly down from his 793 best. Fifth place was Jack Nordlund at 756. Sixth place was Zach Buss, Bemidji at 753. Seventh place was Ray Norman with 724 pounds. His personal has been 880. Ninth place went to Wayne and Lori Berg, east of Gonvick, at 599.5. Tenth place was Katie Haaven whose pumpkin had to travel eight hours from her home in Iowa. That weighed 476 pounds and her personal best has been 549.
There were some that did not make the top ten.
Jarica Carroll, first time grower, used a Klema-Solberg seed and started it in August and entered a 448.5 beauty. Brenton Berg had a 321 pound one. Another first time grower Isaack Burrack from north of Gully had a 261 pound. First time grower Darcy Hagen, Clearbrook, entered a 103.5 pounder. Dan and Dianna Lichtenwalner, who just moved to Gonvick, entered their first time pumpkin at 87 pounds.
Many other events include: The Tug of War between Clearbrook and Gonvick Fire Departments. Gonvick won for the second time and the $500.00 There were over 46 bicycles given away that were donated by area business places and people. Clearwater-Polk Electric was there to take people up in their bucket to view the many events going on. There was a fun run/walk. Pumpkin Decorating contest. Crafts and vendors on the streets. Clayton Johnson's chicken won the chicken race. Mrs. Olson's Lefse sponsored a bake off with many different tasty treats. They also were selling pumpkin lefse. The young tractor pull contest was held on the vacant lot near the bank. Wake Klema, the largest pumpkin grower in the area, celebrated his 61 birthday with a party at the Trap in Gonvick on Friday night. Samhold Lutheran Church had a breakfast in the morning. Clear Waters Life Center had rolls and coffee in the morning and they served sandwiches and soup in the afternoon. They also had a pumpkin painting contest. There was a caricature artist. A movie night was held and there was beautiful fire works at dusk. Midnight breakfast at Kandi's to top off the night.
That all happened last week and there are plans for another one next year, the last Saturday in September.
Youth Pumpkin winners 2024 at Gonvick
Twelve entries in the youth competition at the Gonvick 31 annual Pumpkin Days that were held.
1st - Leo Nordlund 610; 2nd Peyton Norman 563; 3rd Zaden Buss 498; 4th Caden & Chloe Olson 495; 5th Wayne & Lori Bergh grandkids 375; 6th Madisyn Horn 217; 7th Theo Horn 156; 8th Maverick Fiedler 138; 9th Joseph Horn 137; 10th Kenzie Danielson 98; 11th Jaxon Thoreson 64; 12th Freya Bergman 47.