For the second year in a row, Addison resident Zivko “Zeeke” Vasovski won “Louie’s Great Pumpkin Contest” held in Lakeville Friday evening.
Vasovski’s winning pumpkin – actually a special pumpkin/gourd hybrid – weighed in at a whopping 329? pounds with an impressive circumference measuring 92? inches.
The contest began three years ago as a friendly little gardening competition between Vasovski, co-owner of Louie’s Food and Spirits in Lakeville, and his neighbor Steve Ardelean, owner of the Leonard-based Distinctive Design.
Ardelean’s pumpkin – also a pumpkin/gourd hybrid – weighed in at a measly 242? pounds with a paltry circumference of 92? inches.
Zeeke entered a second pumpkin in this year’s contest, also weighing 242? pounds, but with a circumference of 88 5/8 inches.
For the first time in the contest’s short history, each man was presented with a special certificate recognizing their individual achievements in horticulture.
Zeeke’s read – “The Great Pumpkin First Prize Winner: This certifies that the owner of this pumpkin has the largest pumpkin in Lakeville, MI and may have bragging rights until next year’s contest.”
Ardelean’s certificate read: “Smallest Pumpkin First Prize Winner: This certifies the owner of this pumpkin is the loser of the Great Pumpkin Contest and has the smallest pumpkin in all of Lakeville, MI, but may come back next year to try again.”
Despite losing the contest for two consecutive years, Ardelean is already working out his strategy to win next year and reminded this reporter that he won the first contest in 2001.
“I’ll get him again,” he with a determined tone in his voice.