09/28/11 Hensler’s Nursery in Hamlet held its 4th Annual Giant Pumpkin Growers Contest on Sunday, September 25th.
John Barenie from Griffith, IN was this year’s winner with a pumpkin weighing in at 1,308.0 pounds. This year’s champion also became the new Indiana state record holder. Barenie’s pumpkin beat the previous state record of 1,273 pounds, held by Roger Howard, of Grovertown, since 2005.
Other winners included Don Young from Des Moines, Iowa whose second place pumpkin weighted in at 1,159.5 pounds. Third place was Julie Young also from Des Moines, with a pumpkin weighing 924.5 pounds. Phyllis Howard of Grovertown took fourth place with a pumpkin weighing in at 702.5 pounds for Sunday’s competition.
John Barenie’s state champion pumpkin will be on display at Hensler’s until Monday, October 3rd.
