Largest pumpkin ever weighs in at over 758 pounds
Pumpkin Show is perfect from A to Z
Wanda English Burnett - Editor

From the beginning to the end, the 2004 Versailles Pumpkin Show was one of the best ever. Mother Nature cooperated fully throughout the event, smiling down with perfect weather. Attendance was high and the largest pumpkin ever was weighed, coming in at 758-plus pounds.

According to Ed Westmeyer, president of the Versailles Lions Club, sponsor of the event, the largest pumpkin probably was actually larger but they couldn't get all of it on the scales. Rob Vestal, president of the 2004 Pumpkin Show, noted that the pumpkin was so huge, it couldn't fit on the scales available. Jim Kinderdine of Yorkville, raised the massive pumpkin and said he would get an official weight on a larger scale and report back. (See related article for weights of all the pumpkins)

The parade was enjoyed by thousands of people as they began getting seats early on Saturday morning to watch 162 entries - the second highest amount ever entered in the parade. Winners of the floats are as follows:

· Best Float - A Touch of Country

· Best Youth Organization Float - first place, South Ripley FFA and second place, Jac-Cen-Del FFA

· Best Agricultural Float - first place, Tri Kappa, second place, AmVets

· Best Religious Float - first place, Bear Creek Baptist Church, and second place, Adams Lutheran Church

· Best Agricultural Business Float - first place, Patterson's Farm, and second place, Elrod Grain

· Best Business Float - first place, Versailles Super Valu, and second place, Margaret Mary Community Hospital

· Most Commical Turnout - Carolyn Fisk

· Oldest Antique Car Entry - Ken Sturgeon with his 1946 Dodge Power Wagon

· Best Horse Drawn Vehicle - Woolum Real Estate.

Large crowds gathered each night for the grandstand activities and were thrilled with the variety of bands that performed. From the singing of the national anthem to the national recording artists Blue County, those in attendance heard top notch musical performances.

Children and adults enjoyed the rides from the time they opened on Wednesday night at 5:00 p.m. until they closed down on Saturday night. According to Vestal, ticket sales were only topped in the year 2000, and not by much. "This was an outstanding Pumpkin Show," he noted.

Wednesday night the King and Queen were crowned with Jesse Beckley of South Dearborn taking the title along with Brianne Martin of Switzerland County. The court included first runners-up Charity Linville of Jac-Cen-Del and Ryan Owings of Switzerland County, second runners-up Kayla Cheek of the Southeastern Career Center and John Moton of Batesville.

Thursday night first graders from area schools competed for the title of Prince and Princess, with the honors going to Allison Trabel of Sunman Elementary and Randy Correll of South Ripley. The court included first runners-up Kevin Bedel and Grace Heppner both from Batesville Primary School, second runners-up Alex Doll of Sunman Elementary and Kaylynn Baluyot of Jac-Cen-Del.

The evening, sponsored by Ripley Publishing Company, continued with Publisher Linda Chandler announcing the winners of the 16th Annual Pumpkin Baking Contest.

Earlier in the day on Thursday, five judges were busy tasting nearly 100 entries in the 16th Annual Pumpkin Baking Contest, sponsored by Ripley Publishing Company. Those judges were Bev Prost, Alma Price, Ruth Hunneke, LouAnn Menchhofer, and June Kieffer.

Winners in the Pumpkin Pie category were: third place, Lori Eggleston, Versailles; second place, Della Menchhofer, Holton; and first place Debbie Volz, Osgood. Pumpkin Bread and Pumpkin Rolls category winners were: third place, Janet Burns, Columbus; second place, Lisa Sanders, Versailles; and first place Lori Eggleston, Versailles. Pumpkin Cakes and Cake Rolls category winners were: third place, Kay Franklin, Holton; second place, Barbara Canada, Holton; and first place, Barbette Wickstrom, Versailles.

Miscellaneous Pumpkin Goodies winners were: third place, Lisa Sanders, Versailles; second place, Tammy Borgman, Batesville; and first place, Janet Burns of Columbus. Winners in the Cookie category were: third place, Lori Miller, Osgood; second place, Becky Herrick, Dillsboro; and first place Cindy Rimstidt, Osgood.

In the Kids category, third place
went to Whitney Couch of Milan; second place to Ericka Wickstrom of Versailles; and first place to Stephanie Scoggins of Holton.

The Best Decorated entry went to Judy Bruns of Milan, for her scarecrow decoration and the 2004 Best Baker Award, given by Baker Motor Co. of Milan, went to Linda Pettit of Moores Hill, for her Pumpkin Angel Food Cake entry. Pettit received $200 and a plaque. Pettit noted that she has entered the contest every year and looks forward to continuing to do so. The award was presented by Stephanie Baker.

The 16th Annual Pie Eating Contest followed with seniors from area schools competing for who could eat the most pumpkin pie. The crowd held signs and screamed for their respective representatives as the contest lasted for just one minute, emceed by Josh Barnett, sports editor for Ripley Publishing Company. Participants included Kendra Kohlman and Darren Speer representing the Southeastern Career Center; Katie Gilland and Craig Hill from Jac-Cen-Del; Jeremy May and Holly Toops from South Ripley and Travis Wilson and Leslie Scarber from Milan.

The declared winners of the 2004 Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest were Kendra Kohlman of the Southeastern Career Center and Jeremy May of South Ripley.

The Ripley County Sheriff's Department was on the square in full force with their officers fingerprinting children each night of the event. They also passed out informational coloring books on all types of safety issues, showed a safety video on car seat safety and offered free refreshments each night to those who visited them on the east side of the square.

Versailles Town Marshal David Adams and Deputy Joe Mann were also on duty the entire event and all officers reported no incidences throughout the festival.

"On behalf of the Versailles Lions Club, I want to thank all the local businesses and families for their support during the Pumpkin Show," noted Westmeyer. He continued by saying, "It gives our club great joy to serve our community and bring an atmosphere of family entertainment through the festivities of the Pumpkin Show."

Not dwelling on the success of the 2004 Pumpkin Show, Westmeyer concluded by saying, "We look forward to the 103rd Pumpkin Show and ask if you have any questions, concerns or ideas, please email us at www.versaillespumpkinshow.com.

MARY MARGARET MOORHEAD PHOTO

Randy Correll, of South Ripley Elementary and Allison Trabel of Sunman Elementary were crowned Prince and Princess on Thursday night at the Versailles Pumpkin Show. Correll is the son of Karen Correll and Trabel is the daughter of Michael and Holly Trabel.