Ortman scores with heaviest pumpkin for 2015

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Rusty Ortman (left) poses with his check from Pumpkin Show concessionaires and his trophy for the heaviest pumpkin at the 2015 Circleville Pumpkin Show. (Photos by Trish Bennett)

Jo Liggett accepts the second and third-place trophies for her entries this year with Dr. Bob Liggett.

Rusty Ortman (center) poses with his parents and his winning pumpkin, “Pearl.”

Rusty Ortman gets a hug from his mother as soon as Pearl tips the scale at 1,666 pounds.

Pumpkin movers position Pearl into place to be weighed at the giant pumpkin contest on Wednesday.

CIRCLEVILLE – A mere 33 pounds put giant pumpkin grower Rusty Ortman over the top this year with the heaviest pumpkin at the 2015 Circleville Pumpkin Show.

The entry known as “Pearl,” grown by Ortman, 26, of Ross County, took first place at the giant pumpkin weigh-in Wednesday at 1,666 pounds.

With chants from the crowd of, “Go, Pearl, Go,” Ortman said he was excited to learn he had tipped the scales even slightly higher than second and third-place winners Dr. Bob and Jo Liggett.

“I really thought it was over 1,600 pounds,” Ortman said. “But when Doc’s hit the scale, I was scared. His was extremely heavy.”

Ortman said he has been growing giant pumpkins for three years now with his personal Pumpkin Show best a fourth-place entry at 1,440 pounds.

Wednesday’s top-place honor earned him a trophy and a $3,000 prize, with $2,000 coming from the Pumpkin Show and $1,000 from show concessionaires.

The Liggetts took both second and third place at the weigh-in with pumpkins weighing 1,633 and 1,630. They currently hold the Pumpkin Show record of 1,964 pounds set at last year’s weigh-in.

Ortman said he is ready to relax a bit now that the contest is over for another year, but not for long.

“We’re already prepping for next season,” he said.

The winning pumpkins will be on display throughout the week at the corner of Court and Main streets.