If pumpkins could talk, they might be honored to have a celebration bearing their name in a Geauga County town that pays homage to every kind of pumpkin from the carved and decorated, to the most giant.
“I hope anyone who comes to the festival walks away with wonderful memories,” said Diane Hunt, vice president of the annual Huntsburg Township Pumpkin Festival, and queen contest organizer. “The festival is based on family fun, old time fun.”
The 47th festival kicked off Oct. 1 amid fall season temperatures and not-to-be-missed festival returnees.
The two-day event offered free contests, entertainment and attractions including the Huntsburg Pumpkin Run, pancake and Belgium waffle breakfast, pumpkin festival parade — this year’s theme, “A Salute to the U.S.A. People & Pets,” — pumpkin shows, baking contest, Tot King and Queen Contest, classic car show, craft show and more.
Contests included apple peeling, pumpkin pie eating, bubble gum blowing, rock toss, egg toss, nail pounding, and decorated and carved pumpkins with trophies and ribbons awarded to winners.
“I love fall,” said Patricia Tripi, of Highland Heights. “It really captures fall for me. I love pumpkins. I love it.”
Tripi, with her husband and family in tow from Lyndhurst, has been coming to mark the start of autumn for years and has repeatedly entered the apple peeling contest for about two decades.
This year, she was in it to win it.
Six contestants quickly lifted up their apples and paring knives behind a long table and began to peel amid the small grandstand of bleachers of cheers as festival President Mark Pegritz served as judge.
‘Thirty seconds to go,” Pegritz said, while the women carefully twisted their apples around, ripping off strips of their outer coverings until the five minutes was up.
Soon, Pegritz stretched each peel out alongside a tape measure and a few swarming bees, then announced this year’s winner.
“It means everything,” Tripi said, as her peel took first place at 31-inches, with her son winning first in the men’s contest.
Hunt moved to Huntsburg Township 21 years ago and said she hasn’t looked back since.
“I don’t know where else you can go that you can compete in nail pounding, apple peeling, bubble gum blowing and my favorite, pie eating,” Hunt said. “I think the history of so many second generation volunteers that work this festival every year speaks for itself.”
During the Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In Sept. 29 at the Huntsburg Township garage, veteran “Giant Pumpkin” winner Jerry Rose, a Huntsburg road supervisor and winner of five state records, took top honors again this year with his 1,284-pound pumpkin.
The largest pumpkin Rose has ever grown was 1,844-pounds. (See related story)
On-lookers raised their iPads and phones Saturday afternoon as they captured Rose’s winning giant fruit outside on display.
Jerry Rose III won first place in 2015 with his 1,349-pound pumpkin.
Windsor Township’s Alan Graham, who grew up in Huntsburg, brought his therapy dog, a University Hospitals Pet Pal, and welcomed pumpkin-enthusiasts at the information tent.
“It’s the sense of community,” Graham said. “It’s very much a community festival. It’s beautiful. I’ve been here for all, during snow, sleet and crystal blue skies.”
Inside the community center, Chardon’s Dick Wheeler shared his military memorabilia display as a new addition to the festival.
“Thank you for your service,” said Marjie Nottingham, of Ravenna, as she flipped though a table of free military service decals. “It’s really very interesting.”
Thanks continued as Wheeler’s helper and fellow veteran, Jim Warren, of Huntsburg, passed out free flag pins to children.
The sweet aroma of midway treats like deep fried Oreos and grilled perogies and onions filled the air as singer Raelynn Debevits swayed back and forth in front of the grandstand performing Kelsea Ballerini’s “Dibs.”
On Sunday, longtime Huntsburg residents Sid and Nancy Saunders served as this year’s parade grand marshals.
Nancy Saunders retired from Cardinal Schools in 2003 and became Huntsburg Township’s clerk, now called fiscal officer, until 2008. She continues to serve as a Huntsburg trustee.
“The people are kind and let you be you,” Hunt added about her affinity for her town. “You walk down the street and people look and smile, it is not a surprise if they say ‘Hi,’ too.”
Pegritz stood back, pausing and smiling, waiting for the next scheduled grandstand event to begin.
“I prayed real hard,” Pegritz said regarding Saturday’s cooperating fall festival weather. He added a thank you for the generous support of all of the festival sponsors.
“It’s enjoyable to see everyone coming out for the last big thing every year,” he said. “It’s all about the fun.”
