Backus Legion Great Pumpkin Contest

Based on the Halloween special of the Peanuts character Linus who waits for the great pumpkin to arrive on Halloween , the Backus American Legion wraps up their annual Great Pumpkin Weight Guessing Contest. For years, a member of the Legion Auxiliary would supply the giant pumpkin that continues to get bigger and bigger each year. And without giving away the weight of this years, members can guarantee that is the largest pumpkin yet.

2 years ago Barb Frederick thought it was time to retire growing pumpkins for the Backus Legion Pumpkin Weight Guessing Contest.

And its not just any sized pumpkin. This years contestant is known as Captain Jack, from the character of the Pirates of the Caribbean, who was donated by Adam Johnson of Centra Sota Co-op in Santiago Minnesota.

Frederick explained that Johnson started in February, fertilizing, watering, and monitoring the growth of the pumpkin making sure the soil was around 60 degrees.

But without a pumpkin there would be no fun contest.

And with the collaboration of Johnson and Frederick, she plans to take back over the contest with the seeds he has given her.

Her largest pumpkin she grew was around 375 pounds.