Trio Of 1K-Pound Pumpkins Comes To Downtown Annapolis: Report

Jacob Baumgart
Updated ·3 min read

ANNAPOLIS, MD — Most pumpkins weigh about 10 pounds. Three Annapolis pumpkins weigh at least 100 times that.

A trio of pumpkin giants will be on display in Downtown Annapolis through Halloween, nonprofit leader Erik Evans says. He estimates that the crops weigh between 1,000 and 1,500 pounds.

"We wanted to bring some fall cheer to Annapolis and encourage people to get out, take a stroll through downtown and take pictures with their family," Evans said in a press release.

Community activist Bumper Moyer and his buddies Joe Gormley and Brian Cahalan picked the pumpkins out. They brought the crops home from a pumpkin patch in Western Pennsylvania that specializes in growing large produce. They also reeled in a 100-pound watermelon, according to Evans.

The pumpkins are located near Lemongrass Restaurant, St. Anne's Church and the corner of Main Street and Market Space. Evans encourages visitors to take pictures by the pumpkins and post them to social media using the "#GreatAnnapolisPumkin".

Sixteen restaurants chipped in, offering free gift cards to several lucky winners who post pictures by the pumpkins. Winners will be announced regularly through Halloween on the 103.1 FM WRNR radio station.

Restaurants that are sponsoring the contest include:

  • Dangerously Delicious Pies

  • Osteria 77

  • Buddy's Crabs and Ribs

  • 49 West Coffeehouse

  • Federal House Bar and Grill

  • Iron Rooster

  • Latitude 38

  • Lemongrass

  • Tsunami

  • And others

The effort to drive residents to local eateries comes as small businesses continue to recover from coronavirus shutdowns.

Funding to buy the massive pumpkins came from Moyer, Gormley, the Downtown Annapolis Partnership, the Annapolis Arts District and the Inner West Street Association.

Evans is the executive director of the Annapolis Arts District, the Downtown Annapolis Partnership and the Inner West Street Association. He says these events will take place Halloween weekend:

Friday, Oct 30

  • Pumpkins on the Avenue at the Hammond-Harwood House Friday from noon to 4 p.m.

  • Reynolds Tavern - Live music for those seated on the back patio by Josh Kachura from 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

  • Dinner Under the Stars - Live music for those seated for dinner on the first block of West Street by Jordan Sokel Duo from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

  • "Dracula" by the Ballet Theatre of Maryland - From 2 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

  • Market Space - Live music for those seated for dining by Larry Lay from and 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Saturday, Oct 31

  • Fill the Truck - Bring canned goods and other nonperishable foods to the Bud Truck on Market Space to be donated to local food banks from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  • Buddy's Crab and Ribs -Live music starts at 4 p.m. from Ben McNulty and a few other special guests. The Naptown Brass Band steps off at 7 p.m. and the party rocks until 9 p.m.

  • Dinner Under the Stars - Live music for those seated for dinner on the first block of West Street by Ryan Kozel from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

  • Market Space - Live music for those seated for dining by Timmie & Tambo from noon to 3 p.m. and by Mac & Blue from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Sunday, Nov 1

  • First Sunday Arts Market - 50+ artisans will the first block of West Street from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Have a story idea? Please contact me at jacob.baumgart@patch.com with any pitches, tips or questions. Follow me on Twitter @JacobBaumgart and on Facebook @JacobBaumgartJournalist to stay up-to-date with the latest Anne Arundel County and Prince George's County news.

This article originally appeared on the Annapolis Patch