Giant pumpkins a big part of the day for Old Colorado City Oct. 18

Giant pumpkins a big part of OCCA event Oct. 18

Several Old Colorado City Associates (OCCA) leaders pose for a photo during the first OCCA board meeting Oct. 8 in the newly renovated historic house at 2324 W. Colorado Ave. The business organization, which sponsors Territory Days as well as the upcoming Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off, bought the then-vacant house last May with the plan of making it into OCCA's headquarters as well as a welcome center where visitors could stop in and get information. The center is nearly ready to open to the public, according to OCCA Executive Director Dave Van Ness (third from left in photo). The renovations included restoration of the hardwood floors, painting, air conditioning and a second bathroom (handicapped-accessible) for public use. Also in the photo are board members (from left) President Julie Fabrizio, Heather Joffe, Mazie Baalman, Kim McKenna and Jewels Burdick.
Westside Pioneer photo

       The 10th annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-off will be Saturday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Old Town Plaza, at Colorado Avenue and 25th Street.
       A competition for the heaviest pumpkin, the event will be part of a multi-activity day that the sponsoring entity, the Old Colorado City Associates (OCCA) business group, is calling a “Giant Festival.”
       Also scheduled are a pumpkin-carving demonstration at the Colorado Square (on the north side of the 2600 block of the avenue) and kids' games in the courtyard outside Lorig's (on the south side of the 2600 block).
       As for the pumpkins, 30 or so usually get trucked in by private growers from around the state, and they will be on display in the closed-off Old Town Plaza parking lot. Over the years, the winning weight has exceeded 1,000 pounds multiple times, and a forklift is required to place each pumpkin on a large weighing scale. Cash prizes go to first, second and third.
       The “Giant” day is part of Scarecrow Days, another tradition in Old Colorado City, in which participating merchants make scarecrows and put them outside their businesses during October. They are also competing for cash prizes, with chances for the public to pick their favorites all month and to face “celebrity” judging Oct. 18.
       For more information, go to the OCCA website: shopoldcoloradocity.com.

Westside Pioneer/press release
(Posted 10/11/14; Business: Events)

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