Agriculture hall features large and small exhibits
This giant squash raised by Jake Michael Stiteler weighed in at 618 pounds. Beth Scott | Beacon
COSHOCTON – The entries in the giant squash competition are the largest the agriculture hall at the fairgrounds has seen in years.
“We had to move benches to make room for them,” said Debbie Gaumer, who is superintendent of the department of agriculture and granges at the Coshocton County Fair. “They are getting so large that I think we are going to have to start getting them weighed at the Grain Co. Our little scale won’t be able to handle them.”
There are five entries in the competition this year and they range in weight from 266 pounds to 618 pounds.
“The 618 pound one belongs to last year’s champ Jake Michael Stiteler and is named Dave,” Gaumer said.
Stiteler entered the contest with his father and just like last year he edged him out for the biggest squash. The pair worked together last year to turn their prizewinning squash into a giant jack-o-lantern.
At the other end of the agriculture hall is a display for the potato and pumpkin creation classes that were started four years ago.
“It’s growing every year,” Gaumer said. “We have them as young as 3 that want to enter something at the fair just like their brother or sister. It’s something they can work on with their family and show grandma and grandpa.”
The potato and pumpkin creation classes are only open to youth age 18 and under.
“It’s all about encouraging our youth and sparking an interest so they will want to show in the future,” Gaumer said.
Category: Arts & Entertainment
