Midwestern

Quebec Father-Daughter Duo Wins Pumpkinfest Title

Quebec's giant vegetable growers remain firmly on top of Port Elgin Pumpkinfest.
The father-daughter duo of Jim and Kesley Bryson of Ormstown, Quebec were the big winners, capturing their fourth Pumpkinfest title with a mammoth pumpkin, topping the scales at 1,760 lbs.
Jim Bryson says there was a lot of luck involved with their champion pumpkin, pointing out a cool and wet start to the summer made growing conditions a challenge.
"At the start, it was really slow, no sun, but this plant seemed to want to keep on going and it was the best plant in the patch," says Bryson. "It grew fast, filled out fast."
Bryson last captured the Pumpkinfest crown in 2012, which capped off three wins in a row, but admits he had some bad luck and perhaps lost his passion for giant vegetables, keeping him away from Pumpkinfest in the meantime.
He says there's no question he's back for good, adding winning at Pumpkinfest just fuels his addiction.
Bryson says he will be taking his winning pumpkin back to Quebec, where it will be displayed near Mont-Tremblant.
The Bryson's win ended a three-year run by Shawville, Quebec native Todd Kline, who did not go away empty handed, taking the squash category with a 1,309 lbs. green giant.

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