WARREN — After a one-year hiatus away from the town, Warren was once again the site of the Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Growers Weigh-Off, returning to the familiar confines of Frerichs Farm Saturday, Oct. 12.

Frerichs Farm, owned since 1986 by the husband-wife duo of David and Barbara Frerichs, had hosted the event for 18 years before the contest was moved to South County a year ago. However, a late scheduling change brought the Columbus Day Weekend fixture back locally for the 2024 edition.

Like his did last year, Steve Sperry, of Johnston, was once again the winner of the contest. This fall's fruit wasn't quite as beefy as a year ago. Sperry won the 2024 competition with a pumpkin weighing in at 2,237.5 pounds. Last season at Pasquale Farms in Richmond, he was victorious with a state-record pumpkin weighing 2,465.5 lbs.

Ron Wallace, a former three-time champion of the event, was also once again second to Sperry. Last fall, his pumpkin came in at 2,344.5 lbs. This time around, teaming with his father, Dick, Wallace's submission was just 30 pounds shy of the champ at 2,207 lbs.

The entry of past champion Art Kaczenski, who finished sixth a year ago and well less than the contenders, was third this season at 2,190.5 lbs.

Bert Arruda was the fourth grower to have his submission weigh at least a ton, coming in at 2,104 lbs. Steve Connolly narrowly missed the noteworthy mark, finishing fifth at 1,955.5 lbs.

— East Bay Media Group  and eastbayri.com staff photographer Rich Dionne shot the accompanying gallery of photos.