Wednesday night ride record broken at Pumpkin Show

Wanda English Burnett
Editor

Everyday the forecast looked gloomy, but the clouds would pass and the 2011 Versailles Pumpkin Show had some great weather last week.

On opening night, the rides were the big attraction with Luehrs representatives reporting more rides than ever before were ridden on that night.

The King and Queen were crowned amidst the screams of those riding. The King was Thom Hoekzema from East Central and the queen was Jessica Foster from South Ripley. Their court included: first runners up: Alex Dodge and Rachel Wagner, both from Jac-Cen-Del and second runners up: Amos Taylor from South Ripley and Lydia Ertel from Milan.

Thursday night the Prince and Princess were crowned with Lily Welch from South Ripley taking the crown along with Will Pulskamp from St. Louis. Their court included: second runners up, River McAdams from South Ripley and Olivia Lehman from Sunman Elementary; first runners up, Ava Obermeyer from Batesville and Austin Bowling from Jac-Cen-Del.

The evening, sponsored by Ripley Publishing Co., continued with Dennis Sanders being awarded the “Best Baker” award. He was presented a plaque and a check for $200. All of the winners of the 2011 Pumpkin Baking Contest were named. (See inside today’s paper for pictures of winners)
The annual Pumpkin Pie Eating Contest, also sponsored by Ripley Publishing Co., was held with students from Milan, Jac-Cen-Del, Southeastern Career Center and South Ripley participating. The winners were Nathan Thompson from Milan and Alanie Hooton from Jac-Cen-Del.

Although a drizzle of rain ushered in the morning on Saturday, by parade time it had moved through the area and the parade went off without a hitch.

Patterson’s Nursery was given the Best Float title for its brilliant colors of flowers and decorations.

Other float winners were:

• FFA first place, and South Ripley seniors took second in the Youth Organizations floats.

• Organization choices went to: F.A.R.M. Club, first place and Tri-Kappa, second place.

• Cavehill Church took first place with St. Anthony Live Nativity taking second for Religious Organizations.

• In the Business category, Delaware Campground was first and Southeastern Indiana REMC took second place.

• Helena placed first in the Agri-business category with Fraley Truck and Implement taking second place.

There were over 100 entries in the parade with the large pumpkins coming in last to showcase the growing skills of those participating.

The Nicholsons of Versailles took first place in both the Open Category and Grown in Ripley County Category. Hank Nicholson won with his 592.5 pound pumpkin in the open category. His son, Clint, who is just three-years-old, was the winner of the Pumpkin Show’s Grown in Ripley County Pumpkin Category with his 302.5 pound pumpkin.

Others raising the large gourds were: Wilma Hughes, second place with a 243.5pound pumpkin; Trevor and Devin Castner with a 222 pound pumpkin for third place and Cory Welch came in fourth with his 105 pound pumpkin in the Grown in Ripley County Category.

In the Open Category Quinton Huff took second place with a 536 pound pumpkin; Bill Hughes was third with a 493.5 pound pumpkin and Sydney Huff raised a 343 pound pumpkin for fourth place.
Any way you slice it - that’s a lot of pumpkin!

The 109th Versailles Pumpkin Show, sponsored by the Versailles Lions Club, came to a close Saturday evening, with plans in place for next year’s event already turning in the head’s of Lions Club members. They are expecting to celebrate the 110th show in a big way and are always thankful for the support of the community. All of the monies made through the fundraising efforts of the Pumpkin Show are given back to the local community.

KARI MOORE PHOTOS
Pictured top are the Prince Will Pulskamp and Princess Lily Welch, who were named at Thursday night's festivities at the Pumpkin Show. Pictured center photo, Hank Nicholson of Versailles took the top honors in the Open Category for growing pumpkins with this massive 592.5 pound pumpkin. Pictured above (bottom photo), his three-year-old son, Clint, took the top honors in the Grown in Ripley County Category for his 302.5 pound pumpkin.