9/22/11 Autumn fun at the Winesburg Fall Gathering

  • By Nick Sabo
  • September 22, 2011
  • 317
                        
SUMMARY: Pumpkin weight guessing contest new to gathering There was plenty of old-fashioned fun to be had Saturday Sept. 17 at the annual Winesburg Fall Gathering. The gathering’s “hubbie-back” carrying contest recreated a 12th-century story of a siege of Winesburg’s European namesake. A ticket with a correct guess at the weight of a massive pumpkin brought home the prize of a 50/50 drawing. Winning one of a dozen cakes hinged on chance in the cakewalk. The pumpkin guessing contest started with a smaller contest and four hybrid seeds. Glen Wengerd, with the Winesburg Historical Society, said the seeds were given out by farmer Marvin Yoder to see who could grow the largest pumpkin. The pumpkins turned out at 216 pounds, 116 pounds, 106 pounds and 96 pounds, with Yoder’s being the largest. Wengerd said the pumpkins, displayed on a farm cart in front of the Winesburg Antique Mall, have been an unexpected draw for downtown. “We’re leaving them out just because of the attention they’ve been getting,” Wengerd said. “A lot of people’s kids sit beside it for pictures and you get an idea of how big it is.” In the restored one-room schoolhouse at heritage park, participants in a cakewalk strolled around numbered paper plates on the floor. A lucky participant got to take home a cake if standing on the winning number when the pianist suddenly stopped. Elaine Amos said the cakewalk is a revival of an old American tradition. “They used to have cakewalks at dances in the old Winesburg community hall,” Amos said. “People come back every year for our cakewalk. They think it is unique.” At the new schoolyard and along the street, shoppers checked out vendors selling antiques, art, food and books. Caroline McComber and Melissa Neiderhiser shared table space to sell Caroline’s artworks and Melissa’s crochet and vintage fabric creations. McComber said she was there to get some of her intaglio prints and original paintings sold as well as enjoy the gathering. “I’ve never tried very hard to sell my artwork,” McComber said. “And, I just love fall stuff.” The gathering also featured a chicken barbecue put on by Winesburg fire and benefit auction. Three historic properties owned by the historical society were open to view a glimpse of Winesburg’s past.


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