Lucy, Belinda, Michael and Ruby Pisasale with their giant pumpkin competition entries.
The Pisasale family has continued its dominance of the Deniliquin Show’s Giant Atlantic Pumpkin Competition.
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All four members of the family competed in the competition - across the adult and junior competitions - and brought home two first place and two second place heaviest pumpkin ribbons between them.
Belinda Pisasale unseated husband Michael as the open champion with her entry this year.
Michael claimed the heaviest pumpkin prize in last year’s competition - held despite the cancellation of the Deniliquin Show due to COVID-19 concerns - with a 69kg entry.
While Belinda’s winner was a little lighter this year, her 56kg whopper took honours on the day to claim the blue ribbon.
But Michael’s effort was not far behind, delivering a 49kg pumpkin for judging.
Third in the open category was May Dawson.
Lucy Pisasale bested sister Ruby in the junior heaviest pumpkin competition.
The youngsters delivered pumpkins weighing 35kg and 32kg respectively.
Third in the juniors was a pumpkin jointly entered by Jake and Jorja Woolston.
A side competition for juniors added a bit of fun to the event, with a ‘creative pumpkin’ section encouraging some colourfully decorated entries.
Belinda Pisasale with her prize-winning pumpkin.
Winner was Catie Michael with her peacock inspired creation.
The Pisasale sisters had a podium finish in this section, with Ruby taking second place and Lucy third.
Belinda said the family takes part in the competition not only to support the local show, but because it is a lot of fun.
The family planted two separate patches of pumpkins at the end of last year - just in case one patch fails.
They tend to the vines and the resulting fruit together, and selecting who takes which pumpkin to the show is a matter of negotiation between all four.
“The afternoon before the show we were all out in the patch trying to lift them and see which ones would be the heaviest. You then have to claim which is yours.
“The pumpkins are far too heavy for me to lift, so I judged mine by eye while Michael judges his by muscle. It turns out my eyes are better.
“It’s just lots of fun, and we are grateful to John and Elaine Russell and Ken and Mary Allitt for organising and running the competition each year.”
Just as much fun as growing and showing the pumpkins is disposing of them after the show is over.
“We bring them home and chop them up for the sheep; these varieties are not really good for much else,” Belinda said.
One has been saved being fed to the sheep ... for now.
Belinda’s top weight pumpkin is currently on display at Curly’z Cafe in Napier St, Deniliquin, but only for a limited time.
Catie Michael claimed the blue ribbon in the creative pumpkin competition.
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