**CONTEST CLOSED. THE GREAT PUMPKIN WEIGHED 1220.5 POUNDS. CONGRATS TO WINNERS CATHERINE T. (1,200 LBS), PRICILLA B. (1.252 LBS) AND MARILYN B. (1,200)**
It’s that time of year again: pumpkins!
Actually, growing giant pumpkins is a year-round pastime for my husband Jamie and he will be participating in the weigh-off and fall festival at Jared’s Nursery, Gift & Garden in Littleton on Saturday Sept 28, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Kids will love the giant pumpkins and other giant and/or mutant vegetables, in addition to Jared’s Galleria of Ghouls, a straw maze, obstacle course, bouncy castle, face painting and a petting zoo.
Jamie’s pumpkin “Stanley” was lovingly named after my dad and is the biggest he has ever grown. Unfortunately, it formed a small crack a few weeks ago so it is disqualified from official GPC Giant Pumpkin Commonwealth standings (nope, I can’t make this stuff up) but it will still go to the scale.
To say this is the climax of his entire year is an understatement.
The Contest
And so here’s where you come in. We’re giving away THREE FAMILY FOUR-PACKS to Elitch’s Fright Fest for the three people who are the closest to guessing the Great Pumpkin’s weight! Please go here to enter. Contest deadline is Sept. 28, 2013 at 10 a.m. We will announce the weight and winner the next day!
Husband with Stanley the Giant Pumpkin
About Elitch’s Fright Fest 2013
Elitch Gardens’ Trick or treat trail
Family by day, fright by night! Celebrate Halloween in Denver with two ALL-NEW haunted houses, live shows, and kids’ treats at Elitch Gardens. And don’t miss the SEANCE, a haunted experience with chillingly unexpected results. Elitch Gardens Fright Fest will be open Friday nights, Saturdays and Sundays, October 5th – 27th, 2013
Family-friendly
Kids will compete through various Halloween-themed challenges and activities for Ghouls Match. Join the Do Right Duo as they bob, race and eat their way to victory Saturdays and Sundays at the KiddieLand Stage, 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Little ghouls and goblins can trick or treat their way around Kiddieland for Trick or Treat Trail! Pick up your trick or treat bags and maps at the District or KiddieLand entrance. For children under 54 inches tall. Saturdays and Sundays in KiddieLand, 12-5 p.m.
There will also be a costume contest on Saturdays and Sundays, Scream It Out contests, Vick the Vulture, a Monsterless Matinee and a Hay Maze.
P.S. I originally had a typo to say “Kick the Vulture,” to which Elitch Gardens politely corrected me saying that it was “Vick” and they do not promote animal cruelty. 🙂
Fear Factor
If your kids want to experience Fright by Night, they won’t be disappointed with the all-new haunted house Flesh Factory, a tour of Kenworthy Biological, once a biochemistry industry leader before the breakout of radiation threatened the human race. The new Terror Chamber haunted house will host civilians who are deemed worthy to be summoned to an initiation rite of passion for the most sinister and dangerous secret society. (Both are extra-charge attractions).
Be sure to check Elitch’s website for additional information on these and many more events, their times and pricing and be sure to go here to guess the pumpkin’s weight to win tickets.
Author: Amber Johnson
Amber is the founder and editor of Mile High Mamas, travel writer and former columnist for The Denver Post. She is a passionate community builder and loves the outdoors. She has two awesome teens and is happily married to a man obsessed with growing The Great Pumpkin.
