Wrightsons win Souris’ biggest pumpkin title

SOURIS – The Wrightson family has once again claimed the title of growing Souris’ largest pumpkin after Saturday’s Biggest Pumpkin Contest, hosted by Crescent Cannabis in partnership with the Souris Glenwood Chamber of Commerce.

The competition drew gardeners, families and curious spectators for an autumn showcase of produce, pride and community spirit.

When the final measurements were taken, it was Darla, Andrew and Mark Wrightson who once again carried the day. Their Atlantic Giant pumpkin measured an impressive 165 centimetres around and weighed in at about 37.6 kilograms (83 pounds), making it the largest of the contest.

The win felt like a continuation of a growing family tradition, Darla told the Sun on Saturday.

“Andrew, who couldn’t attend the event, has now won both editions of the contest, securing back-to-back titles. This is something we actually look forward to every year,” she said, smiling as she stood beside a pickup truck loaded with produce. “Andrew tends to the garden every night, plucking off extra vines and leaves so that these pumpkins get the most nutrition. We don’t end up with a lot of pumpkins, but the ones we do have are bigger. This year we brought eight pumpkins, and together they weigh about 770 pounds.”

Alongside the massive pumpkins, the Wrightsons displayed potatoes, tomatoes, beets and ornamental gourds, the kind often seen decorating porches and storefronts in the fall.

The event is about much more than who grows the biggest pumpkin, organizer Lisa Garlick, who co-hosted the contest with Chris Pierce, told the Sun.

“We love to garden, and we want people to show off their hard work,” Garlick said. “Pumpkins like these take dedication and patience. The Wrightsons told me they used two water tanks this year just to keep their plants growing, because there wasn’t much natural moisture. That’s a real commitment.”

The contest, now in its second year, has quickly become a ‘quirky’ but beloved addition to Souris’ fall calendar. It features three prize categories: the biggest pumpkin, the most symmetrical pumpkin won by Olivia Oleschak, and a judges’ choice won by Lillian Oleschak.

Winners receive Souris Chamber Bucks, a unique prize that can be spent at any Chamber of Commerce business in town—ensuring the community reaps the rewards of the growers’ success, Garlick said.

Garlick said that while the Wrightsons’ pumpkin once again dominated the field, she was thrilled to see other entries roll in, proof that interest in the contest is growing. “We really encourage anyone to give pumpkin growing a try,” she said. “It doesn’t cost anything to enter — you just bring your pumpkin and we’ll measure it. Next year, we’re adding a proper scale and even a tractor to help with lifting so we can weigh them as well as measure them.”

Saturday’s contest had a casual, neighbourly atmosphere, with growers arriving throughout the afternoon to have their pumpkins measured, while others lingered to admire the displays and exchange gardening tips.

“Next year, it will be even better as we will have the capability of actually weighing the pumpkins, as currently we have been using the Pumpkin Estimator for the pumpkin weight, which is estimated based on measurements,” Garlick added.

For Darla Wrightson, the win was also a testament to her husband’s green thumb and persistence. “He’ll be very pleased when I tell him we’ve won again,” she said. “It’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it when you see the results.”

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