Official Rules
   Site Fees And Prize Structure
    Rules Regarding Prizes
    Awards
   Pay your Site Fee Online
   GPC Officers
   History
   
The following choices will be available for your site and other weigh-off groups who wish to partake of the benefits of this World Class organization.
  1. Basic Entry Level $100.00
    • Includes membership in the GPC
    • Weigh-off documentation on Big Pumpkins.com
    • GPC Banner to be displayed at sanctioned weigh-offs
    • Avaliable for “single vegetable” competitions, which do not include pumpkins (watermelon-only contest, for example)
  2. Intermediate Level $200.00
    • Includes all of Basic Level benefits
    • GPC Ribbons to 10th placing, including ribbons for top green squash
    • Howard Dill award.
  3. Premium Level $300.00
    • Includes all of Intermediate Level benefits
    • Eligible for GPC Prize money for heaviest Top Ten
    • Eligible for any other GPC Bonuses cash or otherwise
    • 1st place pumpkin plaque.
    • 1st place squash plaque
    • Howard dill award plaque
Notes:
  • There will be a $100.00 penalty for dues received after July 1st, 2008
  • All money in US funds

Rules Regarding Prizes  Top^
  2. Best top ten average: This award goes to the site with the best top 10 average from all GPC sites that have paid a $300 registration fee. All fruit regardless of color are eligible for top ten considerations. All rules explained in Article II apply, namely section 2.
  3. Most improved site: This award will go to the site with the biggest percentage increase in top ten average weight gain over the previous year (all registration levels are eligible for this award). The sites must have 10 qualifying pumpkins both years to calculate this average.
  4. Grower of the year award: This award will be given to the grower or “grower team” (as defined within Article 2, Section 1 of the GPC Rules) who accumulates the most total pounds combined from three official fruit weighed at multiple sanctioned GPC events (all registration levels will be eligible for this award). The GPC will recognize the top three official fruit entered at a minimum of two separate sanctioned GPC events, providing the two fruit weighed at the same event are one pumpkin and one squash. A grower may enter in more than two GPC events but only the three heaviest fruit will count. The grower must be present with their fruit at all events to be eligible.
  5. Howard Dill award: This award will be given to the grower of the prettiest, symmetric, orange or orange-red pumpkin at each Intermediate and Premium Level site. How the winner is decided based on this description will be up to each site coordinator.
  6. Rookie of the year award: This award will go to the grower of the heaviest official fruit from all first year growers who have never entered any pumpkin into competition previously. This pumpkin may be entered at any GPC sanctioned event (all registration levels are eligible for this award). The grower and fruit must adhere to all rules stated in Article II, color will not be a deciding factor. The site will be responsible for submittal of information as stated in Article I Section 8.
  7. Individual grower prize money: For a grower to be eligible for prize money to be paid out by the GPC the sanctioned GPC site must be a $300 registration fee site. The complete site listing for the GPC will be made availabe after the July 1 deadline, and before the first weighoff is scheduled. It will be the grower’s responsibility to ensure they take their possible winning fruit to the correct site of participation.
  8. World Record bonus: awarded to a new world record for pumpkin and / or squash. There will be a maximum of one bonus awarded for pumpkin and one for squash. For example, if two pumpkins beat the previous world record the heavier (the new world record) will be the only one awarded the bonus. The current recognized record for pumpkin is 1,689 pounds, and the current record for squash is 1,234 pounds.
  9. Grower Jackets & Patches: Awarded to the growers who are in the current top 300 pound weight class, as compared to the existing world record of that year. For example, if the 2008 world record is 1750 pounds, jackets will be awarded to growers of pumpkins 1500 pounds and up. If the record stands at 1689, growers of pumpkins 1400 pounds and heavier will be awarded jackets. A grower will only be awarded one jacket; in following years patches will be awarded to the grower to add to their jacket with the same weight class requirements. These patches will denote the weight class achieved for that year.
  10. 4,000 pound club: Awarded to the grower who accumulates a total of 4,000 pounds of pumpkins, squash, or combination of each between their three heaviest fruit, following the same rules as the “Grower of the Year” award. The prize is a patch that can be sewn onto the grower’s jacket. If a grower makes it into the 4,000 pound club without previously being awarded a grower jacket, they will be awarded one for making the 4,000 pound club. When the 4,500 pound total has been achieved by a grower, the 4,500 pound club will be awarded an additional patch.
Awards  Top^
  • Best Top 10 Average: Engraved Plaque and exempt from entry fee for the following year.
  • Most Improved Site: Engraved Plaque and exempt from entry fee for the following year. The fee exemption will be in the same amount as their buyin level from the current year.
  • Grower of the Year: Embroidered jacket and engraved plaque.
  • Howard Dill Award: Ribbon.
  • Rookie of the Year: Engraved plaque.
  • Other Recognized Vegetables (Long Gourd, Tomato, Watermelon, Cantaloupe): Engraved Plaque for 1st place in GPC standings.
  • Individual Grower Prizes:
    • Heaviest Pumpkin: $1,000 and large engraved plaque
    • Heaviest Orange Pumpkin: $500
    • Heaviest Green Squash: $500 and large engraved plaque
    • New World Record Pumpkin bonus: $500
    • New World Record Squash bonus: $500
EFFECTIVE DATE
Every provision of these amendments to the GPC Rules shall take effect Feburary 17, 2008. The provisions of the GPC Rules shall be enforced throughout the family of GPC sanctioned sites.