When I tell people that I live near Cooperstown, NY they often pause for a second and say
“Ohhhhhh! The Baseball Hall of Fame!”
I nod in agreement, but invariably reply with something inane like…
“yup, Baseball. But there is a lot more to Cooperstown than just that.”
Sounds a little defensive, I know.
I guess because I’m not much of a baseball fan* I feel the need to defend my lovely little village from the idea that we’re a one song chorus.
I’m mean, baseball is fine and it’s devotees certainly help support the local economy, but there is something a little disturbing to me about the site of a grown man walking down the street in a Little League outfit.
Maybe it’s just me.
But after this past weekend, I’m going to change my tune. When people comment about the baseball, I’m going to say “yeah, we have the Hall of Fame, but we’re really known for our pumpkins.”
You see, for the last six years Cooperstown has hosted an Annual Pumpkin Festival with a $2,500 prize for the heaviest pumpkin.
This year the winner weighed in at 1,557 pounds. Can you imagine?!
These pumpkins are HUGE
MYTHIC
GINORMOUS
And they remind me a little too much of cellulite
Please excuse me while I go take a 100 mile run. Or eat a brownie.
But I digress.
After the award checks have been issued, the real fun begins.
Because what else can you do with a mammoth size pumpkin, but carve it out and go for a sail?
Ladies and Gentleman, the Cooperstown Pumpkin Regatta. It’s gotta be seen to be believed.
I don’t know what the winner of the regatta gets, besides the obvious fame and glory. But surely, that must be enough.
I mean, how many people can say that they’ve successfully navigated a giant pumpkin across a watery finish line with throngs of baseball adoring fans cheering them on? What prize could be better than that?!
I think the Little Guy** might be interested in giving it a whirl.
* if you decide to unsubscribe, I won’t take it personally.
** is it just me, or does he look a bit like Eddie Munster in this picture? snap, snap
{ 13 comments… read them below or add one }
I'm not unsubscribing. I also made the cellulite connection, most likely because I pigged out over the weekend and now feel very, very guilty. =)
I'm not a baseball fan either…those pumpkins are intense!
Ohh! I can't wait for our pumpkin festival, The Circleville Pumpkin Show!
Simply incredible! How do they lift the pumpkins up to put on display?
And here I thought the duct tape canoes the kids float here in Dallas for Winston Science competitions was weird. Well, whatever floats yer boat!
I spent my high school and a couple college years in Oneonta- how did I not ever see this? Is it new?
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Once again, you've got me laughing out loud! You're a master, Sharon!
Those pumpkins are insane! It looks like a really fun time.
that looks like so much fun!!! My husband's uncle grows the big pumpkins and enters at least one in a competition in RI
He has won before but I don't think he has ever canoed in it!! I will have to find out 
Wow! Those pumpkins are incredible! What a great festival, and what a cutie!
Wow!!!!!!!! those pumpkins are huge what fun a festival like that would be
That is awesome, I have never seen anything like that. Those pumpkins are huge!!! How much fun!
How fun is that! What a great place to live.