Pumpkin breaks record at 1,709.5 lbs.
AMY DAVIDSON PHOTO
Brandon Fisk is pictured with his record breaking pumpkin at the 2022 Versailles Pumpkin Show. The giant pumpkin weighed in at 1,709.5 lbs. Fisk is from Brookville and is employed with Hill Rom as an electrical engineer. He has two daughters, Lilah and Rosie, who accompanied him to the Versailles Pumpkin Show. Of course, he’s not telling any secrets about how he grew such a giant pumpkin - other than he started April 15.
It was a record breaking year for the Versailles Pumpkin Show, sponsored by the Versailles Lions Club. In the adult division Brandon Fisk, Brookville, shattered the record by bringing a 1,709.5 pumpkin to the event. The record was recorded last year at 1,246 lbs. when Jacob Steven from Shelbyviille brought his pumpkin.
There was plenty of pumpkin to go around at the 119th Annual Pumpkin Show with second place entered by Jim Gunther, Corydon, weighing in at 1,101.0 lbs; and third place 792.5 lbs by Lynn Hulse, North Vernon. Fourth place went to Lily Welch, Versailles, for her 481.0 lb. giant and Fifth place to Alan Welch, Versailles for a 433.5 pounder.
In the Kids Division: Ariona Mathews, Holton won with 172.0 pounds and Jasmynn Mathews, Holton had a 158.0 pumpkin.
Not only were pumpkins plentiful, but the parade on Saturday saw a number of beautiful floats with the following results: Agri-Business – 1st place was South Ripley High School FFA; 2nd place, Jac-Cen-Del High School FFA. Woolum Real Estate took first for the best Business Float with American Family Insurance coming in second. The American Legion placed first in Organization Float with Tyson Library coming in second. Religious Organization category placed Hopewell Church Preschool in first place and Shelby Christian Church, second. Jac-Cen-Del Seniors took first in the Youth Organization floats with South Ripley Seniors taking second. The Overall Best Floats were Napoleon State Bank, first and Southeastern Career Center, second.
Royalty
Wednesday night kicked off the 2022 Pumpkin Show with royalty being chosen. The King and Queen Pageant got underway at 7 p.m. with clouds looming in the sky above. Just shortly into the interview portion of the pageant, a loud clap pealed and the wind kicked up while the contestants were on stage. They were removed from the stage and taken into the Courthouse Annex with everyone uncertain what would happen next.
Organizers of the event noted the interviews would continue inside the Commissioner Room in the Annex. Parents and those who came to watch the show were either outside the windows or had run for cover. One of the contestants told the Osgood Journal she was afraid as the microphone stands were blowing down behind them on stage.
The judges made their decisions quickly and winners were named and crowned outside as the wind had died down and the rain mostly stopped. The King is Colton Roth, Lawrenceburg High School and Queen, Avery Hammerle, Oldenburg. Their court included first runners up, Joseph Davis, South Ripley and Jenna Hornbach, East Central. Second runners up were Sam Bond, East Central and Allie Ohlmansiek, Rising Sun.
Thursday nights royalty included the 2022 Prince and Princess and their court. Sponsored by the Ripley Publishing Company, the first graders from across the county gathered at the newspaper office and rode a float led by town police Marshal Joe Mann and the South Ripley Jr. Hi Band and majorettes. They exited the float to walk a lighted red carpet and then onto the stage where they were interviewed by Rob Lafary, sports writer for the Osgood Journal and The Versailles Republican. They were assisted on stage by Amy Davidson, Advertising Manager and Lori Catron, front office administration and Wanda Burnett, publisher.
The Princess race was tight with Adaline Grace Schwanholt, Milan Elementary taking the crown. Jac-Cen-Del’s Kayden Luhring claimed the prince title and crown. First runners up were: Haelynn Handler, South Ripley and Grayson Lawhorn, South Ripley. Second runners up were Willow Gadberry, Batesville Primary and Bo Hountz, St. Louis Elementary.
Except for the first night, the weather turned out beautiful and you could still hear the voices of children laughing right up to 5 p.m. Sunday as they enjoyed the rides. The
Sunday morning service also saw a record number of people attending at the stage area.
The Versailles Pumpkin Show weathered the storm and organizers will be getting things tallied up and making plans for another great year in 2023.
