The results are in from Sunday's World Pumpkin Weigh-off. The winner tipped the scales at nearly a ton.
It is an annual tradition. The Great Pumpkin Farm Fall Festival in Clarence is about wholesome fun and food, about decorating homes for the season. As each pumpkin leaves the farm, it becomes the center of a family carving and decorating event.
Each festival there is the World Pumpkin Weigh-off to crown the biggest ball of orange. This year, it was dé·jà vu in the winner's circle.
Karl Haist of Clarence Center took first place, with his 1,964.5-pound pumpkin and took home $4,500 in cash. The win was particularly sweet, as Haist was last year’s winner as well, with a 1,781.5-pound pumpkin.
Jim Hazeltine and his daughter, Vivian, of Delevan took second place, with a 1,554.5-pound pumpkin. They took home $2,000 in cash.
Jeff Podraza of West Seneca took home third place. His 1,427-pound pumpkin earned him a $1,250 prize.
The festival is open from 10 a.m. until dusk each day and runs through October 31.