Visitors to Valley View Farms can expect an exciting display of autumn festivities starting Wednesday as they unveil a colossal pumpkin named Action Jackson. This impressive pumpkin, weighing in at a staggering 1,822 pounds, will serve as the centerpiece at the nursery located in the Cockeysville/Hunt Valley area.
This annual tradition at Valley View Farms features a pumpkin of extraordinary size that captures the spirit of the Halloween season. The unique coloration of Action Jackson resembles the vibrant leaves of early morning in autumn, adding to its charm.
“He’s one of the prettiest pumpkins we’ve ever had,” shared greenhouse manager Carrie Engel in a recent conversation with Baltimore Fishbowl.
This celebration has been a fixture at the farm since at least 1989, although Action Jackson is not the largest pumpkin to have graced the nursery; that title goes to a pumpkin displayed five years ago that weighed just over 2,000 pounds, or about a ton.
Action Jackson will remain on display until noon on Halloween, Saturday, October 31. At that point, the pumpkin will be cut open, and its seeds will be counted. The contest invites participants to guess how many seeds are inside; the individual with the closest guess will receive a $300 gift card to Valley View Farms. Entry into this contest is open until the seed counting begins.
Tom Tasselmeyer, the chief meteorologist at WBAL TV 11, is known for officiating the seed counting ceremony held each year. Once the seed counting is completed, the seeds are cleaned and returned to the original grower. Engel also mentioned that the pumpkin is generously donated to Whispering Rise Farms Animal Sanctuary, which provides care for surrendered and rescued potbellied pigs.
Action Jackson will not be alone; the nursery features several other giant pumpkins alongside him. Each year, a talented artist is invited to paint one of these enormous pumpkins. Local artist Eric Rutledge famously painted a pumpkin themed after Brooks Robinson in the past, with the specific theme varying based on the store owner Andy Foard’s creative vision.
Foard takes his pumpkin naming duties seriously; one of his sons is even named Jackson, and the pumpkin from last year was named “My Man Mason” in honor of his other son.
“The first time I remember, the pumpkin was called ‘Rolling Thunder,’ because of the sound it made as it was transported back from where it was sourced,” Engel reflected. “It’s a tradition of his. Each year, he and one of his team members travel to various significant pumpkin fairs across the eastern region to find these impressive specimens.”
Notably, the giant pumpkins featured at Valley View Farms are not locally sourced from Maryland. Foard goes through great lengths, sometimes traveling as far as New England, to secure these massive pumpkins and bring them to the farm.
Fortunately, the nursery also offers a variety of smaller pumpkins for those looking to decorate their homes or create autumn-inspired recipes. In addition to pumpkins, Valley View Farms showcases an array of other fall decorations including gourds, corn stalks, colorful mums, and pansies. Families can also enjoy a free straw maze, a Halloween-themed display from Department 56, and the International Christmas Shop, featuring holiday items from various cultures around the globe.
“It’s a perfect setting for taking family photos,” Engel mentioned. “In years past, someone expressed concern that we hadn’t included the date on the big pumpkin, as they used it in family photos annually. Since then, we’ve ensured to display the year on every pumpkin.”
