By CASEY CAMPBELL

Staff Writer

Even with the wild summer weather, several giant pumpkin growers expect the 2006 PumpkinFest weigh-off in Cooperstown this weekend to be a record-breaker.

Despite a less than stellar growing season which saw heavy rains wash away pumpkin patches in the area, New York State Giant Pumpkin Growers Association president Randy Sundstrom said the top 10 pumpkins will likely weigh more than 1,000 pounds, with one pumpkin coming that could break the world record of 1,469 pounds set last year.

"I think it's going to be a very good year," he said.

Sundstrom, who lives and grows his giant pumpkins in Walton, said that although he's received a half a dozen calls in the last week about pumpkins ruined recently, he thinks one pumpkin coming in from the Buffalo area will break the world record. He said the pumpkin growing there is "taping off the charts," which estimate weight based on a pumpkin's radius and can't measure sizes larger than 1,500 pounds.

Sundstrom said his house and pumpkins mostly escaped the severe damage which ravaged much of Walton and that he'll be bringing at least one pumpkin over 1,000 pounds.

Giant pumpkin grower and NYSGPA member Bill Bobier said he also expects that a pumpkin will again break the state and possibly world record this weekend, despite the tough year.

Although he won't be entering any pumpkins of his own this year and will be the primary judge for the weigh-off, Bobier's presence will likely be felt among the top 10 pumpkins.

Many of the giant pumpkins grown today are genetically linked to a pumpkin he grew in 1999. Seeds from that pumpkin have grown numerous pumpkins weighing more than 1,000 pounds, including last year's first place finisher in Cooperstown, weighing in at 1,407.3 pounds.

"It's hard to find pumpkins without my genetics in the background," Bobier said.

One grower who doesn't think this year will see a new record-breaker is Andy Wolf, last year's first-place finisher and one of five entrants who broke the standing state record from 2004.

"I don't think any world record-breakers are coming," he said. "You hear these rumors of big ones every year, but they don't always weigh what they're measuring."

Wolf _ whose pumpkin stands as the third-largest in the world _ certainly won't be breaking any records himself this year, as his heaviest pumpkin is only in the 650 to 700 pound range. He said he and his wife had a baby this year, which cut back significantly on his time for pumpkins.

This is the third year Cooperstown has hosted a weigh-off and chamber of commerce executive director Polly Renckens said she anticipates between 70 and 80 entries coming from around the state and a crowd of more than 2,000. Additionally, entries are anticipated from Ohio, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania, she said.

"Our expectation is this will be our most successful year for an event that continues to grow," she said. "It's going to be the same wonderful thing it always is which continues to amaze me and other people too. Not just how big they are, but how beautiful they are."

And sometime next year, all will get a chance to see the pumpkins when PBS airs a special being filmed this week in Cooperstown and the area about the weigh-off and the process of growing giant pumpkins.

Project director Mark Lewis said the one-hour special will follow individual pumpkin growers as they strive to create their record-breaking pumpkins. He said two or three film crews will be at PumpkinFest capturing the event and that the special's air date is not yet known.

The 10 heaviest pumpkins will receive cash prizes with the first place pumpkin earning $2,000, $1,000 for second place and $500 for third. A special category will honor pumpkins grown in Otsego County, with prizes ranging from $250 to $25.

Prizes will also be awarded to giant squashes, with premiums ranging from $250 to $50, and all other giant vegetables will earn $50 for first place and a trophy for second.

The weigh-off is set to begin at 10 a.m. _ the registration fee is $10, which will include the official PumpkinFest T-shirt and other gifts. There is no cost for children under 10 years of age.

Other festivities take place around the village and include a craft show from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and magic shows at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Both a juggler and a clown will be on hand in Pioneer Park throughout the day.

The PumpkinFest weekend continues Sunday in Lakefront Park with the pumpkin regatta, in which growers and sponsors will a race using giant pumpkins hollowed out to create boats.

The various heats begin at 11 a.m., noon and 1 p.m. There will also be an art show, games, and music by Tim Segal and the Otsego County Oop Pah band throughout the day in the park.

At 3 p.m., the first "PumpkinFest Duck Derby" will begin with ducks being dropped off a pontoon boat at Council Rock. They will be picked up at the ending point between the Stone Foot bridge and Bassett Hospital bridge.

The grand prize is $500 and there are 20 consolation prizes of $50 each. Ducks will be available for $5 at Riverwood, Little Bo'Tique, Davidson's Jewelry, America's Game and the Chamber of Commerce. They will also be available in Doubleday Field Parking Lot and Lakefront Park during the festival.

For a complete calendar of events, visit the Chamber of Commerce's website at www.cooperstownchamber.org.