It may be a long way away, but registration is now open for a popular fall youth competition in Cayuga County.
Registration is now open for 4-H Cayuga County’s annual Giant Pumpkin Growing Contest. Open to both 4-H members and non-members, the competition sees youth across the county compete to grow the largest pumpkin.
A weigh-in will determine a winner on October 17 at Ward O’Hara Agricultural & Country Living Museum, with prizes going to the heaviest guords.
Registration is $5 for 4-H members and $10 for non-members. Registration is due on June 1 and can be done here.
Below is a list of competition rules from 4-H:
- Participants must be under the age of 18 as of January 1, 2026.
- One pumpkin per participant may be entered in the contest.
- Pumpkins entered in the contest must be Big Max variety. They do not need to be grown from the seeds provided with the registration fee.
- Participants must provide the majority of the care for the pumpkin plant.
- Participants must make the majority of the decisions about plant care.
- Fertilizers and pesticides must be used safely, appropriately, and according to label directions.
- Participants should be ready to describe how the plant was cared for and why to the judges at the event.
- Participants are responsible for transporting pumpkins to the event.
- Pumpkins should be free of excess plant material and dirt.
- Judges’ decisions are final.
More information on the competition can be found here.
