Pumpkin Weigh-Off Is This Weekend

Pumpkin Weigh-Off Is This Weekend
Phillipston fair to be held at Red Apple Farm
Rebecca Leonard
News Correspondent

PHILLIPSTON — Red Apple Farm is once again hosting Phillipston’s annual Fall Pumpkin Contest and Church Country Fair over Columbus Day weekend.

“We’ve put all the effort into (this event) to support the church and make sure everyone has a good time,” stated Claire Adomaitis, chairwoman of the fair.

This year will mark 36 years of the event and the second time the event has taken place at Red Apple Farm.

“(The Rose family) and Red Apple Farm staff have been so kind to invite us back to the farm for our Country Pumpkin fair,” expressed the Rev. Stephanie Flynn.

This year’s fair will kick off on Saturday, Oct. 10, starting at 11 a.m. and will include handmade items crafted by the Ladies Benevolent Society, as well as jewelry, and books “to plan for your winter reading.”

The Ladies will offer their four-quilt/lap robe raffle. Choices for the raffle include a panda, fall leaf, a patriotic quilt and several pumpkin quilts.

If the weather gets a little chilly, the Ladies will sell Phillipston Pumpkin Sweatshirts, to keep guests warm.

Games will be available for kids to play and there will be face painting, cotton candy and a petting zoo. Children can also take some time and decorate their own cupcakes in any way they want.

There will be a large amount of food choices for sale for guests consisting of a food truck that will have soup, chili, hamburgers and hot dogs. The truck this year will also have homemade pumpkin squares for dessert to stay with the pumpkin theme of the weekend.

The Girl Scouts and Cub Scouts will be present at the fair to sell baked goods to appease that sweet tooth.

All the money made over the weekend will go back to the church.

New to the fair this year is the presence of the police, fire and emergency personnel informational booths.

“The EMTs will be there checking blood pressure too,” said Ms. Adomaitis.

The official pumpkin weigh-in, sponsored by the Phillipston Agricultural Commission, will be at 1 p.m. on Sunday, for the adult and youth divisions. Cash prizes will be awarded for those who place first, second and third. Participants can register from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. that day.

Last year, Lou Chadwick of Greenfield won $300 for his pumpkin, which tipped the scales at 969 pounds.

The event will start on Saturday, Oct. 10 ,and Sunday, Oct. 11, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sunday Service will occur at 9 a.m. on the back deck at the farm.

“We’re trying to reach out to the community so they know that even through we’re a congregational church, we’re also a community church,” said Ms. Adomaitis.