SIEMENS SAYS: Roland’s Pumpkin Fair produces record-setting winner

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While hosting the Manitoba Farm Report, a 30-minute TV show in the mid-90s, I had the privilege of interviewing Edgar Van Wyck of Roland, a true friend and record holder.

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One attraction in Manitoba will never spoil — the World’s Largest Pumpkin! This super-sized squash replica, weighing 1,684 pounds, stands 12 feet tall and 12 feet wide. Constructed from steel rods and covered in orange fibreglass, the pumpkin was created in 1990 during the Roland Centennial to honour Edgar Van Wyck, the “Pumpkin King.” The local legend secured his place in the Guinness Book of World Records by growing the largest pumpkin in the world.

On Oct. 5, Charlie Bernstrom from Lancaster, Minn., set a new record at the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth weigh-off during the Roland Pumpkin Fair. The 2014, 2017, and 2018 champion returned to claim the 2024 title with a massive pumpkin, smashing his 2018 record of 1,753.5 pounds. His giant pumpkin weighed 2,004 pounds, making it the most significant entry in Roland Pumpkin Fair history.

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The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth’s (GPC) mission is to cultivate the hobby of growing giant pumpkins and other giant fruits worldwide by establishing standards and regulations that ensure the quality of fruit, fairness of competition, recognition of achievement, fellowship, and education for all participating growers and weigh-off sites.

This year marks the first time in Roland Pumpkin Fair history that an entry has surpassed the 2,000-pound mark. Bernstrom nearly achieved this feat last year, but a crack in his pumpkin discovered the day before the weigh-off, prevented it from competing. The crack extended into the pumpkin’s cavity, which would have led to disqualification. Out of curiosity, they weighed it at home, and it tipped the scales at an impressive 2,100 pounds.

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Lancaster is about an hour and a half from Roland, just 10 miles south of the border on Highway 59. To haul the 2,000-pound pumpkin, they put it on a trailer and secured it to a pallet.

He had always wanted to bring a giant pumpkin to Roland. After winning three times before, he was excited to bring a 2,000-pound pumpkin this year. Roland was where he entered his first weigh-off in 2013. He appreciates how well the event runs, the support, and the chance to see familiar faces.

The 2024 champion said growing a 2,004-pound pumpkin takes much time, water, and fertilizer. Charlie spends about an hour and a half each day working on the pumpkins with help from his three daughters. His oldest daughter handles the morning watering during the school year since Charlie drives a school bus. The pumpkin requires about 100 gallons of water daily.

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The water comes from the river near their home. However, the water’s pH is too high, so he uses 98% sulfuric acid to lower it to the correct level, essentially treating the water with a form of strong battery acid.

Bernstrom usually pollinates the pumpkins between June 15 and 20. At that point, the pumpkins are the size of a golf ball. By day 20, they reach around 80 pounds; by day 40, they’re close to 1,000 pounds, gaining 40 to 50 pounds or more each day.

When the Roland Pumpkin Fair approaches, timing becomes critical, as the pumpkin must be ready. It’s important not to start too early because of the risk of frost, which can occur late in the season. Luckily, September was nice, having their first frost the morning he picked the pumpkin.

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Bernstrom’s interest in growing pumpkins started around 2012. Now, it’s become a family activity. His three daughters help out, and it’s turned into a fun tradition where they name the pumpkins, sit on them each week for pictures, and try to make the pumpkins look bigger by “shrinking” the girls in the photos.

Afterwards, Bernstrom takes the pumpkin home and uses it to raise money where their town hosts a festival featuring a pumpkin drop. His wife, a kindergarten teacher, is on the county literacy council, and they use the event to raise money for books for kids. Each month, children from birth to five years old receive a free book in the mail. The event typically raises about $1,500 and draws 400 to 500 people.

During the festival, they drop the pumpkins on various objects. When they drop the pumpkin, it breaks whatever it lands on, and the pumpkin shatters. After the pumpkin shatters Bernstrom cuts out the seeds to save them for the next year or share them with others interested in growing their pumpkins. Once the seeds are collected, people often grab pieces of the broken pumpkin to feed their livestock or use however they see fit. It turns into a fun way to ensure the pumpkin gets fully used.

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Derek Baschuk, chair of the Roland Pumpkin Fair, expressed his excitement about this year’s record-breaking weigh-off. He acknowledged how special it was to witness a pumpkin surpass the 2,000-pound mark, a first in the event’s history. Baschuk praised the dedication of growers like Bernstrom, making the annual fair such a memorable and anticipated event.

“Seeing the community come together and support the event year after year is a testament to how important the fair has become to both locals and participants alike.”

Baschuk gave the 2024 Roland Pumpkin Fair a perfect score of 100 despite a few small issues.

This was the 34th year of the Roland Pumpkin Fair, the official fair of the Roland Agricultural Society. While the community had held fairs for many years, the Pumpkin Fair officially started 34 years ago.

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He recalled that Edgar Van Wyck, a local from Roland, was the first champion and the reason the Pumpkin Fair began. Edgar had set a world record for the largest pumpkin. Derek shared how proud they are to have that piece of history tied to the community. He noted that the Van Wyck family remains an integral part of Roland.

Over the weekend, strong winds in southern Manitoba forced the postponement of the pumpkin drop to Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. Despite this being the first time the fair had postponed an event, the community still turned out in great numbers to watch.

For the drop, they used a pumpkin donated by Cornie Bannman, one of the regular growers at the event. This year, they dropped the pumpkin onto a car, adding a unique twist. After the drop, seeds from the giant pumpkin are distributed to encourage new growers, and a local community member uses the pumpkin remnants to feed livestock.

— Harry Siemens, a farm journalist and advocate for over 53 years, shares the story of farming and food production to help people understand where their food comes from.

Have thoughts on what’s going on in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada or across the world? Send us a letter to the editor at wpgsun.letters@kleinmedia.ca

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