When it comes to the Allardt Great Pumpkin Festival, bigger is better.
"It’s a big event with thousands of people, vendors and friends,” said Jason Terry.
The weigh-off is quite a sight to see. Huge gourds, pumpkins and watermelons roll onto the scales to claim a victory.
But before the crown jewels end up at Allardt, their life begins in the patch.
"This one seems heavy just by thumping it,” said Bruce Terry as he took us on a tour of his patch.
He’s a 'pumpkin whisperer' of sorts, knowing all the secrets to growing a gargantuan pumpkin.
“A lot of people in the community like to come and look at them, and I like showing them off,” Terry said.
The idea sprouted several years ago on a trip to the Allardt festival.
“I thought to myself, I’d sorta like to do that, next year grew one, thought I’d win it. Biggest thing in the world, 6-something pounds, but came in third. Then the boys took over and it just blossomed from there,” Terry said.
The hobby, grew and grew to include his sons Jason, Jeremy and Jordan.
“We've always been competitive at everything we've done since we were kids,” Jeremy said.
Growing large veggies aren't their only specialty.
“This is actually a giant watermelon,” Jordan Terry pointed out in the pumpkin patch.
The Terry clan has history of being lords of the gourds and when it comes to pumpkins, it's all in the genes too.
It all begins with a little seed that brings a big challenge.
"Genetics, food, water, takes a lot of work,” Bruce Terry said.
Covered by tents and cooled by fans, the pumpkins are handled like a newborn baby.
“The sun will cause pumpkins to mature early so we keep them shaded,” explained Jeremy Terry.
“I’ve got water houses sprinklers positioned around and turn the pump on,” said Bruce Terry. “Got a set too, don't want mouse's messing around, I’ve already caught one!”
“It’s a little bit of an infatuation,” laughed Jason Terry. “Making sure they have the proper water every day, we have a detailed fertilizer program.”
It’s a tedious process year-round process that all leads up to the October festival.
“It’s one of the biggest and best you'll go to by far, and we go to a lot of them,” Jason Terry said.
“We use tractors or a forklift to pick them up--we have a special ring that's built, has straps and comes down and cradles it,” explained Jeremy Terry.
"That’s the jittery nerve wracking part because its go time from there,” said Jordan Terry.
There were no first place ribbons this year---but the Terry's are still proud.
“Anytime you place it’s a good day,” said Jason Terry.
This year’s winning pumpkin weighed 1594 pounds and came from Kentucky.
Bruce Terry came in second with a 1353 pound pumpkin, and Jason followed in third with a 1342 pumpkin. Jason had won the last two years.
Jordan Terry’s watermelon came in third at 253 pounds.
The Allardt Pumpkin Festival happens the first week in October in Fentress County.
