Allardt Eying World Record At Pumpkin Festival

For the 26th year the town of Allardt awaits the arrival of the Great Pumpkin.

Allardt Pumpkin Festival Vice Chairman Cathy Jeffers said she hopes to see that pumpkin this Saturday during the annual Allardt Pumpkin Festival and Weigh-off.

“We would love to have the worldwide champion every year,” Jeffers said. I think we broke the state record one year and the southeast record one year.”

Last year Oneida resident Jason Perry took top honors at the Allardt Pumpkin Festival with a pumpkin tipping the scales 1,472 pounds. That weight was good enough for a state record, which still stands.

Jeffers said the ultimate goal is breaking a world record, which currently stands at 2,624 pounds.

Even if no world record is broken, the winner of the weigh-off will receive $1,000 for having the heaviest pumpkin at the festival.