A 12-year-old Winnipeg boy hopes to unseat the three-time Manitoba pumpkin champion with his massive pumpkin this Saturday at the Roland Pumpkin Fair.
Since June, Milan Lukes had been growing a massive pumpkin in his backyard. He spends three hours a day caring for the pumpkin that he had named 'Colin,' after an uncle from Ireland. The pumpkin has solar heating cables and uses 500 litres of water per day. He estimates the pumpkin is now 1,250 pounds.
Lukes developed an affinity for pumpkins out of his love for the colour orange. He decided he wanted to grow big pumpkins after seeing the pumpkins at the Roland Pumpkin Fair.
But Lukes is up against some stiff competition. Pumpkin-grower Henry Banman has been crowned Manitoba Champion at the fair the past three years. He also holds the record for the biggest pumpkin ever grown in Manitoba.
Banman has been helping Lukes this year.
He gave Lukes some of his seeds and offered advice. Banman said he's surprised Lukes was able to grow such a large pumpkin and hopes he wins.
Lukes said it would be a bit strange to beat Banman but is excited.
Both pumpkins will be put on the scale and weighed this Saturday at the Roland Pumpkin Fair.
