03:21Farmers gathered in the charming town of Hasselt, Northern Netherlands, on Saturday for the annual Championship for the Heaviest Pumpkin and Vegetables 2024.
This much-anticipated event saw a dazzling display of enormous pumpkins and other colossal crops, as contestants vied for the coveted first prize.
Footage shows the event organisers hoisted the gargantuan pumpkins onto scales with the assistance of tractors, while proud farmers posed alongside their impressive harvests.
The competition wasn't limited to pumpkins; remarkable entries in various categories, including enormous courgettes and tomatoes, showcased the vibrant agricultural talent on display.
This year, Bartjan van Raalte from Genemuiden took home the top honour with his incredible pumpkin, which tipped the scales at a jaw-dropping 850 kg.
"Pumping a lot of water. Maybe a thousand litres in one week. And it's growing in the greenhouse. In the greenhouse it's more hot when it's growing faster," he revealed the secret behind his victory.
Event organizer Bradley Wursten shared the inspiration behind this thriving contest, tracing its roots back to similar competitions in the US and England.
"We started up a competition with a few Dutch growers and then it grew and grew and grew. And now we have all kinds of pumpkins but also giant vegetables like very big tomatoes and zucchinis and field pumpkins, all kinds of things," he said.
Beyond the vegetable extravaganza, the Harvest Fest in Hasselt offered a wealth of family-friendly attractions. Attendees enjoyed stalls brimming with local products, hands-on workshops led by skilled craftsmen, bouncy castles for children, and an exhibit featuring vintage tractors, ensuring a delightful day for all ages.
Gourd-geous: Giant pumpkins go head-to-head at spectacular Harvest Fest in northern Netherlands
Farmers gathered in the charming town of Hasselt, Northern Netherlands, on Saturday for the annual Championship for the Heaviest Pumpkin and Vegetables 2024.
This much-anticipated event saw a dazzling display of enormous pumpkins and other colossal crops, as contestants vied for the coveted first prize.
Footage shows the event organisers hoisted the gargantuan pumpkins onto scales with the assistance of tractors, while proud farmers posed alongside their impressive harvests.
The competition wasn't limited to pumpkins; remarkable entries in various categories, including enormous courgettes and tomatoes, showcased the vibrant agricultural talent on display.
This year, Bartjan van Raalte from Genemuiden took home the top honour with his incredible pumpkin, which tipped the scales at a jaw-dropping 850 kg.
"Pumping a lot of water. Maybe a thousand litres in one week. And it's growing in the greenhouse. In the greenhouse it's more hot when it's growing faster," he revealed the secret behind his victory.
Event organizer Bradley Wursten shared the inspiration behind this thriving contest, tracing its roots back to similar competitions in the US and England.
"We started up a competition with a few Dutch growers and then it grew and grew and grew. And now we have all kinds of pumpkins but also giant vegetables like very big tomatoes and zucchinis and field pumpkins, all kinds of things," he said.
Beyond the vegetable extravaganza, the Harvest Fest in Hasselt offered a wealth of family-friendly attractions. Attendees enjoyed stalls brimming with local products, hands-on workshops led by skilled craftsmen, bouncy castles for children, and an exhibit featuring vintage tractors, ensuring a delightful day for all ages.
Farmers gathered in the charming town of Hasselt, Northern Netherlands, on Saturday for the annual Championship for the Heaviest Pumpkin and Vegetables 2024.
This much-anticipated event saw a dazzling display of enormous pumpkins and other colossal crops, as contestants vied for the coveted first prize.
Footage shows the event organisers hoisted the gargantuan pumpkins onto scales with the assistance of tractors, while proud farmers posed alongside their impressive harvests.
The competition wasn't limited to pumpkins; remarkable entries in various categories, including enormous courgettes and tomatoes, showcased the vibrant agricultural talent on display.
This year, Bartjan van Raalte from Genemuiden took home the top honour with his incredible pumpkin, which tipped the scales at a jaw-dropping 850 kg.
"Pumping a lot of water. Maybe a thousand litres in one week. And it's growing in the greenhouse. In the greenhouse it's more hot when it's growing faster," he revealed the secret behind his victory.
Event organizer Bradley Wursten shared the inspiration behind this thriving contest, tracing its roots back to similar competitions in the US and England.
"We started up a competition with a few Dutch growers and then it grew and grew and grew. And now we have all kinds of pumpkins but also giant vegetables like very big tomatoes and zucchinis and field pumpkins, all kinds of things," he said.
Beyond the vegetable extravaganza, the Harvest Fest in Hasselt offered a wealth of family-friendly attractions. Attendees enjoyed stalls brimming with local products, hands-on workshops led by skilled craftsmen, bouncy castles for children, and an exhibit featuring vintage tractors, ensuring a delightful day for all ages.