The largest pumpkin winner in the 23rd annual Preeceville Great Pumpkin contest tipped the scale at 164.5 pounds. The pumpkin was brought in and entered by Wyatt Mastrachuk of Sturgis.
The contest was held at the Preeceville Community Legion Hall on September 21 and sponsored by the Preeceville Public Library.
"The annual event was a huge success with a lot more entries and interested community members," said Maureen Johnson, organizer.
The contest was sponsored by the Town of Preeceville Economical Development Committee and featured entries in the pumpkin, potato, cabbage, zucchini, onion, carrot, turnip, beet and kids’ categories.
All entries had to be grown in a garden and show ready with the tops cut off. First place entries won $50 and $25 was awarded for second place. Entries in the kids’ category received $10 and the pumpkin entries won $75 for first place and $50 for second.
Helen Shewchuk won second place in the pumpkin category for her entry that weighed 116 pounds. Other entries were: Nathan Maier, Harvey Wolkowski, Wyatt Scheller and Toni Chornomitz.
In the beet category there were nine entries. Savannah Neilson won first for her entry that weighed 5.12 pounds. Second place went to Wyatt Mastrachuk for his entry that weighed 5.11 pounds. Other entries were by: Megan and Nathan Maier, Dale and Elizabeth Prestie, Angela Scheller, Joe Luciw, Mary Pasiechnik, Susan Serhan and Juanita Ivanochko.
In the carrot category there were five entries with Stella Kardynal winning first for her entry that weighed 1.1 pounds. Second place went to Liz Jacobsen for her entry that weighed 1.05 pounds. The other entries were: Megan Maier, Toni Chornomitz and Jackie Korney.
In the cabbage category there were three entries. Susan Serhan won first for her entry that weighed 27 pounds, Violet Head won second and Toni Chornomitz was the only other entry.
In the onion category, Harvey Wolowski won first place for his entry that weighed 2.12 pounds and Joe Luciw won second for his entry that weighed in at 2.05 pounds. Other entries were brought in by Ed Prystay, Dale and Elizabeth Prestie and Susan Serhan.
In the potato category, there were six entries. Dale and Elizabeth Prestie won first place for their entry that weighed 3.10 pounds and Liz Jacobsen placed second with her entry of 3.06 pounds. Other entries were: Ed Prystay, Judy Schur, Toni Chornomitz and Susan Serhan.
In the turnip category, there were two entries. Heather Bartch won first with her entry that weighed 8.5 pounds and Susan Serhan placed second with her entry of 7.13 pounds.
In the zucchini category there were nine entries. Susan Serhan won first for her entry that weighed 14 pounds and Marge Bowey was close behind in second place for her entry that weighed 13.8 pounds. Other entries were by: Vicki Peet, Hudson Maier, Carol Gawrelitza, Mary Petrowski, Dale and Elizabeth Prestie, Toni Chornomitz and Mary Pasiechnik.
"The kids’ category has really gained a lot of interest with 16 entries this year," said Johnson.
The event concluded with a chili and a bun lunch.
