BC’s Official Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC) and Certified World Recognized Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off Event!!!
50/50 CASH Prize winning raffle ticket number was – 0 7 0 8 4 4 – and the winner, Steve Reid, emailed a photo of his winning ticket, and we sent him the $200 CASH PRIZE!
The stunning “Crimson Poppy” QUILT Raffle winner was Julie Begg! Julie was thrilled to win the stunning handmade quilt by Jeff Pelletier from Sleeping Bee Quilts!
Saturday, October 7, 2023, there were nearly 5,000 people in attendance, and the results are in…
1st Place: Kerri van Kooten-Perras from Campbell River, BC, placed 1st with her 1,152 pound Giant Atlantic Pumpkin! 
A BIG YEAR ON RECORD AS HER PERSONAL BEST! 
(In 2017, Kerri van Kooten-Perras’ Giant Pumpkin weighed in at 1,074 pounds and placed 3rd in BC!)
“After two years of an empty patch, I’m pretty happy with having something growing – introducing Walter! Thanks to everyone who had a hand in putting on the event – it was fantastic to meet other growers and see the enthusiasm for this crazy hobby. Walter has now settled into his new home at Coastal Blacks Pumpkin Fest. He has met some new barnyard friends and is looking forward to all his visitors.” – Kerri van Kooten-Perras, Vancouver Island, BC
Fun Fact: Back in 2008, Kerri’s father Jake Van Kooten from Port Alberni, BC, grew a 1,500 pound pumpkin and set a new record for the HEAVIEST Atlantic Giant Pumpkin in the WORLD! In 2013, he retired from pumpkin growing.
2023’s photos will be shared on our Giant Pumpkin BC Facebook page
Media…
Whonnock man known for growing some big pumpkins, editor Roxanne Hooper, Maple Ridge-Pitt Meadows News, Oct 14, 2023:
B.C. families growing some big pumpkins, editor Roxanne Hooper, Aldergrove Star, Oct 11, 2023:
https://www.aldergrovestar.com/community/video-bc-families-growing-some-big-pumpkins-5887686
Weighing 1,152 lbs., Vancouver Island woman’s pumpkin is the heaviest in B.C., Chek News, Oct 11, 2023:
BC pumpkins weigh in, writer Kate Ayers, Country Life in BC, Oct 11, 2023:
https://www.countrylifeinbc.com/bc-pumpkins-weigh-in
Campbell River pumpkin dubbed heaviest in B.C. at Langley weigh-in, editor, reporter and feature writer, Darron Kloster, Times Colonist, Oct 11, 2023:
Walter the pumpkin wins big at annual Langley weigh-off, CityNews Vancouver, Oct 10, 2023:
Vancouver Island woman wins prize for largest pumpkin in BC, Kelowna Now, Oct 10, 2023:
Simply gourd-geous: Vancouver Island pumpkin crowned largest in all of BC, Victoria Buzz, Oct 10, 2023:
The winner, Kerri van Kooten-Perras from Vancouver Island, BC is announced, CTV News, Oct 7, 2023:
https://vancouverisland.ctvnews.ca/mobile/video?clipId=2782503
Joey and Verity King in Vancouver’s Kitsilano tell story producer Hollie McGowan about “King Kong,” their Giant Pumpkin they plan to enter in a competition in Langley tomorrow.
CBC News, On The Coast with Gloria Macarenko, Live Radio, Oct 6, 2023: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-46-on-the-coast/clip/16014242-preparing-giant-pumpkin-weigh-langley
Our #PumpkinPals Joey and Verity King from Kitsilano, Vancouver, BC, grew their Giant Pumpkin named “King Kong” in their backyard!
City News Vancouver, Oct 6, 2023: https://vancouver.citynews.ca/video/2023/10/05/giant-pumpkin-growing-in-kitsilano
The Great Pumpkin of Dunbar hopes to squash the competition!
Vancouver Sun, Oct 6, 2023: https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/great-pumpkin-of-dunbar
Our #PumpkinPal Dave Chan from Richmond, BC, presently holds the NORTH AMERICAN record for HEAVIEST GIANT PUMPKIN that weighed 2,212 pounds on Sep 30, 2023!!! 🏆💥
Dave traveled with his lovely spouse Janet and 1 of his 3 GIANT GOURDS in tow down to the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino’s National Pumpkin Weigh-Off at Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm in Sacramento, California, USA, where his GIANT PUMPKIN placed 1st and he was awarded $9 USD PER POUND!!!
When we spoke with Dave, he was absolutely thrilled! He’s looking forward to rolling his winnings into a small vacation and a new GIANT greenhouse!
CTV News, Oct 3, 2023: https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-man-takes-one-tonne-pumpkin-on-road-trip-to-win-california-weigh-off-1.6587594
North Shore News, Oct 3, 2023: https://www.nsnews.com/national-news/bc-man-takes-one-tonne-pumpkin-on-road-trip-to-win-california-weigh-off-7636214
Richmond News, Oct 2, 2023: https://www.richmond-news.com/local-news/richmonds-giant-pumpkin-grower-lands-north-america-title-7628862
Julius, the 500-pound gourd grown by a Vancouver couple, is competing in this year’s giant pumpkin weigh-off!
CBC News, Sep 23, 2034: https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/gaint-pumpkin-from-dunbar-1.6973640
A humongous, 500 pound pumpkin named Julius is turning heads in the Dunbar neighbourhood. Host Gloria Macarenko visited grower Mike Polay and his wife Joanna, their children and some neighbours to get the scoop.
CBC News, On The Coast with Gloria Macarenko, Live Radio, Sep 20, 2023: https://www.cbc.ca/listen/live-radio/1-46-on-the-coast/clip/16010786-the-great-pumpkin-dunbar?fbclid=IwAR3yEL5qKnonYNOXiOVHNjYKv6nAZmoXWTBhxQ-JE0t8vEfpZh0boVYpAYw
GIANT THANKS to all of our #PumpkinPals – seasoned growers, first timers, sponsors, volunteers, cheerleaders – for keeping the spirit alive for 2023 and supporting BC’s beloved event!
SPECIAL THANKS TO EVERYONE who volunteered to make this a memorable event! There were sooo many helping hands this year – everyone was eager to learn and assist – THANK YOU for showing up and sharing your positive vibes and valuable time!
The Carley family has been growing Giant Pumpkins British Columbia over the past 10 years – a labour of love – it’s our 10th YEAR Anniversary y’all!
Click 2022 – 2021 – 2020 – 2019 – 2018 – 2017 – 2016 – 2015 – 2014 – 2013 for past events.
Click 2003 to see how it all began!
Giant Pumpkins British Columbia – Giving back to our farming heritage, supporting local growers and bringing community together!
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Looking forward to connecting with you!
Giant Pumpkins British Columbia 