DANIELSON MAN’S ENTHUSIASM FOR PUMPKINS MATHCES THEIR SIZE
Ray Burlingame talks about growing giant pumpkins
(August 20, 2008) ---Woodstock, CT --- Every Labor Day weekend thousands of patrons flock to the giant pumpkin contest to feast their eyes on the unbelievable size and weight of the giant pumpkins. Last year’s winning pumpkin weighed in at an incredible 891 pounds. The man responsible for growing this giant was Ray Burlingame.
Burlingame, a native of Northeast Connecticut, has been growing giant pumpkins (officially called Dills Atlantic Giants) for about a decade. However, farming has always been in his blood.
“I was born to be a farmer. Growing up, I always worked on farms. I can remember being a child and trying to always pick the biggest vegetable I could.”
Burlingame attended the University of Connecticut where he received a degree in animal science. However, it wasn’t until a friendly competition at Day Kimball Hospital (who could grow the biggest pumpkin) that he started focusing his intense enthusiasm for farming on growing giant pumpkins.
The time and energy giant pumpkins require is quite suitable for Burlingame’s nurturing, organized and meticulous spirit. Burlingame begins growing the pumpkins in April, and then spends hours each day watering and caring for the pumpkins. This includes testing the soil for the correct amount of nutrients (something that requires a thorough understanding of potassium, nitrogen and phosphorous), shielding the pumpkins from the elements, routinely weighing them (this involves measuring the size of the pumpkin and then going to a conversion chart that lists how heavy a pumpkin that size should be) and protecting them from what Burlingame calls “demons of the pumpkin patch”, factors (such as stem rot) that could potentially stunt the growth of the pumpkins. To ensure the whole process goes as it should, Burlingame often refers to the numerous books, articles and detailed notes he keeps about the art of growing giant pumpkins. If all goes as planned, the pumpkins will reach their full potential (the largest pumpkin in the world last year was 1642 pounds) in late August, just in time for the competition season. When the competitions are over, Burlingame then donates his pumpkins to be carved for Halloween.
Burlingame, like many others who grow giant pumpkins, is a member of the New England Giant Pumpkin Growers Association. Being a member allows Burlingame to meet annually with other members and talk about pumpkin growing. Burlingame describes those who grow giant pumpkin as a “tight knit group,” and it is through these interactions that Burlingame is able to learn more about his craft and pick up tips that will enable his future pumpkins to be larger.
While Burlingame was quite pleased with his championship pumpkin from last year, several factors have prevented him from reaching the same success this year (currently his biggest pumpkin is “only” 485 pounds), including an extremely wet summer. Despite this, his passion and enthusiasm for growing giant pumpkins has not waned.
“At the end of the days these are just pumpkins. However, I get a lot of satisfaction from growing pumpkins; being able to look at my work and be proud. The first pumpkin I grew and entered in a contest was just 90 pounds. I came in last place, so I am doing much better now. “
The Woodstock Agricultural Society was organized in 1858 and holds the annual Woodstock Fair on Labor Day weekend. The Woodstock Agricultural Society awards scholarships to local graduating seniors from Woodstock Academy.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WOODSTOCK FAIR SELECTED TO WORK WITH “NO CHILD LEFT INSIDE”
(July 15, 2008) ---Woodstock, CT— The Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) and the Connecticut Department of Agriculture has selected the Woodstock Fair to be one of three sites to be involved with the program “No Child Left Inside.” The program, developed by Governor Jodi Rell and now in its third year, aims to encourage families to experience outdoor activities through Connecticut’s various state parks, forests and agricultural venues such as the Woodstock Fair. Jane Slupecki, who works for the Connecticut Department of Agriculture, believes the fair will be a perfect venue for the program.
To join the “No Child Left Inside” program, families are encouraged to visit their website at www.nochildleftinside.org. All families in the state of Connecticut, which must consist of at least one person over the age of 18, and one person under the age of 18, are eligible to enroll. On average, families registered in the program consist of 4 people. Over 1500 families are currently registered. To inform families about upcoming events, the DEP sends out a monthly “eBlast” with newsletter information. The Woodstock Fair “eBlast” is scheduled to be sent out August 4th. All 1500 families, or all families registered at this time, will be invited to the event. About 600 families will be able to attend the fair through this program. Woodstock Fair president Susan Hibbard is very excited about this prospect.
“I’m very proud that the Woodstock Fair was selected as an educational site by the DEP. It is a wonderful opportunity for these families to visit the northeast corner and to benefit from our agricultural displays and also to have a wonderful overall fair experience—the rides, the entertainment, the food. I look forward to meeting the families.”
Families who want to attend the fair through the “No Child Left Inside” program will purchase tickets through the Department of Environmental Protection (visit www.nochildleftinside.org). Families participating in the “No Child Left Inside” program will attend the fair on Saturday, August 30th.
The Woodstock Agricultural Society was organized in 1858 and holds the annual Woodstock Fair on Labor Day weekend. The Woodstock Agricultural Society awards scholarships to local graduating seniors from Woodstock Academy.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WOODSTOCK FAIR CONCESSIONS UPDATE
Donna Copeland gives insight into Concessions Manager position
(June 10, 2008) ---Woodstock, CT— A highlight for almost everyone attending the Woodstock Fair is visiting the eclectic mix of vendors the fair provides. Whether it is fried dough, jewelry or a sign with your own personal message, you can find just about any and everything at the Woodstock Fair. The woman responsible for securing and organizing these wonderful vendors is current Concessions Manager, Donna Copeland.
Copeland, a Woodstock resident and mother of two, learned about the fair through her children and her husband, Dave Copeland, who had a booth at the fair for eight years.
When her husband discontinued his booth, she had a need to stay actively involved with the fair.
“I just didn’t want to be away from the weekend event, so I started working for the Concessions department.”
Copeland worked as an assistant to the Concessions Manager for three years, and was officially named Concessions Manager in 2007. The 2008 version of the Woodstock Fair will be her second full year as Concessions Manager. With a background in sales, marketing and customer service, she is a perfect fit for her current position.
“I love to coordinate, negotiate and multitask. This position fits with my experiences and my personality. It is very rewarding to greet customers and vendors who love our fair.”
Copeland is responsible for several tasks. As applications come in from potential vendors, she has to review them all, then decide how to lay out the fairgrounds so that food, retail and craft vendors will have the best possible locations for their respective products. Then as vendors get to the fair, she makes sure that they each meet all requirements of the Woodstock Agricultural Society as well as state, health department and insurance company requirements. She also ensures that vendors have their booth located properly on the grounds and have their products and pricing placed properly.
Because there are over 370 vendors annually at the Woodstock Fair, Copeland has several people working closely with her. Current Assistant Concessions Manager, Robin Smith, works throughout the year with Copeland organizing and planning for the fair. Throughout the summer, Christie Deary, Laura Williams, John Williams and Allie Copeland help prepare the grounds for the fair and aid in helping the vendors set up their booths.
A focus of Copeland’s throughout her time at the fair has been on developing activities for children. To this end, a new kid Zone will open this fall and it will be located on the lawn in front of the Better Living building. There, children will find a hay maze, coloring tables, sand boxes and other daily activities that will be at no charge. Copeland is very excited about this new area.
“[The hope] is that this area will be a place where young children will be able to have fun, and parents will have the opportunity to sit and catch their breath.”
There will be several other new additions to the fair this year as well. First, there will be a brand new sand art design that will be on display. Also, the birthing center has moved and will be located next to the sheep barn. Finally, there will be a new road on the fairgrounds where patrons will be able to find numerous new vendors. The road will be located at the exit of the small craft tent.
Also of note, on Friday of the fair, they will be offering a $2.00 off gate admission with a donation of a canned or dry pet food product. The products must be non-perishable, and all donations will be going to a local animal rescue group. Only one $2.00 off per adult regular priced admission fee will be allowed. This discount will only be honored on Friday.
The Woodstock Agricultural Society was organized in 1858 and holds the annual Woodstock Fair on Labor Day weekend. The Woodstock Agricultural Society awards scholarships to local graduating seniors from Woodstock Academy.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WOODSTOCK FAIR ENTERTAINMENT UPDATE
Marc Allard talks entertainment
(April 22, 2008) ---Woodstock, CT— The Woodstock Fair has been able to land some of the biggest names in entertainment over the last five years including Weird Al Yankovic, The Beach Boys and The Bangles. The man who is responsible for securing this high level of entertainment is current Entertainment Director, Marc Allard.
Marc Allard is widely known for his other endeavors which include currently serving as the Sports Editor of the Norwich Bulletin and previously working as both the News and Sports Director and talk show host at WINY Radio. However, it is his role as Entertainment Director that is responsible for exciting thousands every Labor Day weekend at the Woodstock fairgrounds.
Allard, who currently resides in Dayville, CT with his wife, Colette, and two children, Shannon and Marc, attended school at Marietta College in Ohio, but received his degree from nearby Eastern Connecticut State University. While the Fair lasts just four days, the process of researching and securing entertainment is a year-long process for Allard.
“As Entertainment Director, the job begins right after the end of the Fair. Assessing what worked and what did not. [Starting] in October I contact different agencies, seeing who is [available] and beginning the whole offer and negotiation phase.”
When trying to decide who to book each year, Allard tries to appeal to the 25-40 age group demographic. However, he will, at times, purposely stray from this design to appeal to a much younger or older demographic. Finally, he also tries to get a diverse set of entertainers, covering the areas of rock, country, classic rock and pop.
The budget for entertainment is set yearly by the Board of Directors of the Woodstock Agricultural Society. The Woodstock Agricultural Society then pays for all of the major entertainment. This year the entertainment line-up for the Main Stage includes country star Jo Dee Messina (Friday), who has had nine number-one singles; rock band Starship (Saturday), who had such hits as “We built this City,” and “Sara;” current rock band Smashmouth (Sunday), whose biggest hit was “All-Star;” 70’s rock band Foghat (Sunday night), who sang “Slow ride” and “Fool for the City;” and finally Lonestar (Monday), known for their song “Amazed.” Times for these performances have yet to be determined.
“I work with many major talent agents throughout the country,” Allard said “[we] try to bring the best entertainment possible to the fair.” However, trying to secure big names often means many challenges for Allard.
“You have to be patient, many of the [entertainers’] requests can be pretty demanding, and it’s not like acts will just up and sign an offer sheet it to minutes. Some entertainers take upwards of two or three months to make their decision.”
Those who are also involved in the securing entertainment for the Fair include Dave Deparasis, his son, Barry, and son-in-law, Al Chen. During the fair, Ryan and Brad O’Connor, Ray LeClerc, Dana Pelkey and Greg Bugbee help with the entertainment on the main stage.
Yearly favorite, Hypnotist Jim Spinnato, will return to the Main Stage and open for all of the major acts. There will also be a few, as of yet to be determined, local bands that will also perform. Like all previous years, admission to the fair will include all entertainment.
When watching this year’s entertainment, there will be noticeable changes to the Main Stage grandstands. The old bleachers have been torn down, and the process of installing new metal bleachers has begun. The renovations will increase the capacity of the grandstands from 150 to almost 500. There will also be an area built that will be handicapped accessible.
The Woodstock Agricultural Society was organized in 1858 and holds the annual Woodstock Fair on Labor Day weekend. The Woodstock Agricultural Society awards scholarships to local graduating seniors from Woodstock Academy.
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WOODSTOCK AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY ELECTS NEW GENERAL MANAGER
William Neilson takes over as General Manager
(March 15,
2008) ---Woodstock, CT-- The Woodstock Agricultural Society elected a
new General Manager this month, William Neilson. Neilson takes over for Fern
Phaneuf who served as the society’s General Manager for 28 years. While Neilson
understands the pressures that come with the GM position, he is also extremely
excited to take on this role.
“Fern [Phaneuf) was an institution. I have to live up to the public’s
expectations he created, to show everyone that my way can be the direction we
are going in now. This northern fair is about to get a dose of southern charm!”
Neilson currently resides in Putnam and has been involved in the Woodstock Agricultural Society as a volunteer for several years. His volunteer work included selling logo wear for the Fair, working in the Agricultural Building passing out samples of cheese to patrons, running various errands for the Secretary’s office and working in the information booth.
William Neilson was born in western Maryland and lived there until the early 1980’s. He was brought to the quiet corner as a result of a job transfer from General Motors Assembly Division. He transitions into the role of General Manger from his previous employment at Foxwoods Casino, where he worked for 14 years. Neilson has two married children, Sarah Bourdon and William Neilson III, and is married to a native of the area, Anne Lamondy.
Neilson’s passion for the Woodstock Fair is a product of his wife growing up in Northeast Connecticut. Lamondy, like many others in the area, always has her Labor Day weekend festivities revolve around the Woodstock Fair. This was true even when the two were planning their wedding
“I suggested that we get married on Labor Day weekend. My wife responded ‘absolutely not, that’s the Woodstock Fair!’”
While Neilson’s tenure as General Manager has been brief, he already has a variety of projects to focus on. His first task as GM will be to work on the remodeling of the Main Stage Grandstand steps as mandated by the fire marshal. He has also already begun hiring the seasonal maintenance crew, securing contract services necessary for the four days of the fair and meeting with all superintendents to review needed repairs and plan improvements in their respected departments. He will also be responsible for off-season rentals of the fairgrounds, overseeing projects directed by the executive committee and seeking community sponsorships to help support the entertainment and activities of the fair.
Neilson was appointed GM on March 1, 2008 by current Woodstock Fair President, Susan Hibbard. The interview process included meeting with the past three Woodstock Fair Presidents and having the fair’s executive committee approve the appointment. Neilson feels like he and the General Manager’s position are a wonderful match.
“What first enticed me to apply was the fact that I am a people person and this position will enable me to capitalize on what I feel is my greatest asset. The fair will allow me the opportunity to work with a wide variety of people, both those who attend [the fair] and those who are involved in organizing such a wonderful event.”
Neilson’s message to public is simple, “Come to the fair, make a memory.”
The Woodstock Agricultural Society was organized in 1858 and holds the annual Woodstock Fair on Labor Day weekend. The Woodstock Agricultural Society awards scholarships to local graduating seniors from Woodstock Academy.
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2007 Giant Pumpkin Contest Winner
Submitted by
Ray Burlingame
The seed which produced the 891 grew in Vermont and the seed mother weighed 925 pounds at harvest in early October of 2006. I planted the seed in a peat pot in April 26 of 2007 and placed it on a heat mat to help with germination. The first leaves emerged from the soil 3 days later at which time the pot was placed under a grow light until May 8 when it was transplanted to its permanent location in the garden. A small 4 ft. x 6 ft. temporary greenhouse was erected over the plant to protect it for the remainder of the month of May.
Prior to the growing season, about a ton of well rotted cow manure was plowed into the soil and the soil was adjusted to the proper pH. Throughout the growing season, concentrated liquid fish was the primary source3 of essential nutrients.
The main vine grows very rapidly – about 6 inches per day. When the vine got to be about 14 ft. in length the first female blossom opened and I hand pollinated it on July 4th. The young pumpkin grew very rapidly as well. By July 22nd, it weighed 68 pounds and by July 29th, it had reached 208 pounds. On August 5, it weighed 407 pounds, a gain of 199 pounds in just 7 days. On August 11, it had reached 560 pounds. Growth continued at a steady rate, although slower, until harvest on August 29th.
During the pumpkins’ growth period (about 8 weeks), the vine received 50-75 gallons of water every other day. At harvest time, the vine measured 34 ft. x 28 ft.
Successfully growing giant pumpkins requires hard work and commitment but the rewards are many. If you are a gardener and have the space, try it some time.