Nic & The Giant Pumpkin: Leelanau, Meet Your 1,893.5-Pound State Champ!

By Emily Tyra | Oct. 2, 2022

Grower Nic Welty of 9 Bean Rows and his behemoth pumpkin (affectionately called Skrump) made the trip from Suttons Bay to Dundee’s Pumpkin Palooza on Saturday, October 1.

Skrump was declared the state champion, weighing in at a whopping 1,893.5 pounds.

The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth is the international organization that manages these contests.

Giant pumpkins are Welty's passion project and his now-famous specimens are currently reaching the largest sizes he’s ever cultivated. It’s now full-on fall on the farm at 9 Bean Rows, and they have bright, bumpy, funky and elegant pumpkins of all sizes available.

Says co-owner Jen Welty: “We invite people to enjoy weekends on the farm and to wander among the rows of veggies, grab a peck of apples, grab a pumpkin (or an extremely large one if you are strong enough) and see what pastries chef Trish has in store.” A short swoon list from the bakery case: pear flan, caramel popcorn, carrot cake and pumpkin donuts.

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