When Jeff Warner transported his 1,711-pound pumpkin to Port Elgin Pumpkinfest recently, he understood that winning was not a guarantee. Despite his hopes for a top prize, the grower from Englehart, Ontario, found himself disqualified from the giant vegetable weigh-off due to a small soft spot on the pumpkin.

“A week before cutting the stem, there was a tiny soft spot, about the size of a loonie,” Warner explained to guest host Dave Seglins on As It Happens. Aware of the strict competition rules regarding entry conditions, Warner still decided to make the lengthy nine-hour journey to the fair with his massive gourd in tow.

Despite efforts to address the soft spot en route by scraping it to slow down the rot, Warner found the hole expanding at each stop. Upon arrival at the festival, a judge informed him that the hole needed to be no more than three inches wide for the pumpkin to be eligible.

Disappointed yet understanding, Warner acknowledged that rules must be adhered to. The winning pumpkin weighed 1,542 pounds, significantly lighter than Warner’s impressive six-by-six foot garden giant.

Despite missing out on the top prize, Warner cherishes the hard work he invested in nurturing his giant pumpkins throughout the summer. He expressed satisfaction in striving to surpass his previous pumpkin-growing achievements each year.

Although his pumpkin did not clinch victory at the fair, Warner shared that it continues to attract attention, with families stopping by to admire the giant gourd and take photos with it. Warner revealed plans to transport the pumpkin to a polar habitat a few hours north, where it will serve as a meal for polar bears.