AceNewsDesk – The biggest pumpkin grown in Australia this year has been given a second life as an intrepid commodore paddled it down river over the weekend.
Ace Press News From Cutting Room Floor: Published:Apr.16, 2024: ABC AU News TELEGRAM Ace Daily News Link https://t.me/YouMeUs2
Adam Farquharson spotted an opportunity for hijinks after his friend Mark Peacock grew a Royal Easter Show blue ribbon-awarded monster pumpkin.
Get ready to be amazed! There’s a new champion in town, and its name is Tormund! This 407-kilogram gourd got its name from the pumpkin in any show nationwide in 2024! According to Mr Peacock, this is a record-breaking achievement we’ll discuss for years to come!
A former commodore of the Tumut Canoe Club, Mr Farquharson said he had attempted to grow giant pumpkins big enough to paddle in previous years, but that turned out to be an “abject and hilarious failure”.
“It grew to about the size of a softball, rotted off and died,” he said. So when Mr Peacock informed him that his mammoth cucurbit would be used for stock feed, Mr Farquharson pounced. “ Barry Humphries said that he’s a big fan of the unnecessary, and I am too. I’m a big one for shenanigans,” he said.
Inspired by Popeye, he completed the one-mile trip in the hollowed-out “slimy” gourd christened Cinderella on Saturday, sporting a sailor hat and pipe.
Up to 1,000 people lined the banks of the river, chasing the pumpkin canoeist as he paddled along.
Pumpkin a cult figure
Mr Peacock initially thought it was a joke but said the idea was “very Adam”. “ He’s hilarious. But he’s random, occasionally,” he said. He told the pumpkin had gained a cult following in the southern New South Wales town, which sits on the foothills of the Snowy Mountains:
“ I intentionally grew this as a family project and then started doing Facebook updates every week,” Mr Peacock said. “
“ So it was a fitting send-off that the community got to experience Tormund the pumpkin one more time in a different capacity.” Mr Farquharson said he took to the water for no real reason other than to amuse himself and to make people smile. “ It’s just something really cool to do. I’ve paddled that river so many times, [but] that’s the most fun I’ve ever had floating down the Tumut River,” he said. “ It made me happy and apparently it made other people have a bit of a smile too.” His wife Alana said it was indicative of a sweet-natured man who wanted to make others happy. “ It didn’t surprise me at all. He loves a joke,” she said.
Bigger than Taylor Swift
Mr Farquharson believes he is the first person to achieve the feat — in the Tumut River at least. He said he knew of another person who paddled a smaller pumpkin in Collector Creek, on the other side of Canberra.
But all that mattered was the next feat, he jokingly said, saying he fancied getting behind a speedboat wearing “some marrows” on his feet for water skis.
Locals have taken to calling him Popeye the Pumpkin Man, but he said he was sure the fame would be short-lived. “ I think the worldwide fame will wear off pretty soon. I won’t end up like Taylor Swift. I’ll get back to life as normal,” he said. His famed vessel will now end up as was initially intended, feeding cattle. “ It was a sad moment. I did jokingly say to my wife that I should petition the prime minister to have it preserved and put next to Phar Lap’s heart at the National Museum,” he said. “ She thought I was an idiot.”
At Sterling Publishing & Media Service Agency, we value transparency and accountability. We want to inform you that we are not responsible for any external content, links, or posts. Nonetheless, we are dedicated to providing exceptional services and sincerely appreciate your support. Thank you.
@acenewsservices
