Giant Pumpkin Carving and Display

IMPORTANT RULES & REGULATIONS:

• All pumpkins must remain on site until Sunday, October 12, 2025. We will start releasing the pumpkins to the growers at 3 p.m. October 12th.
• Pumpkins weighing 1,000 lbs or less are subject to being sculpted. We will not breach the hull of the pumpkin but if the grower would like us to harvest its seeds, we can do that upon request.
• We will have a registration booth on-site. Failure to fill out the registration completely may result in disqualification or not being weighed.
• Registration begins at 10 a.m. October 10, 2025. Registration will close promptly at 4 p.m., and the weigh-off will begin at 5 p.m.
• All entries must meet GPC standards and rules.
• The weigh-off will be conducted in accordance with GPC rules.
• All entered pumpkins need to be established pumpkins; blooms will not be accepted.
• This is a GPC-sanctioned event and judging will be to GPC standards; the site coordinator has the final say.
• All monetary prizes will be mailed out once all information has been logged and verified by the GPC (typically one week following the event).
• Any pumpkin not picked up by Sunday, October 12, 2025, by 5 p.m. becomes the property of Operation Pumpkin.
• This event is open to growers of giant competition-sized pumpkins only.
• Pumpkins must be grown, cared for, and entered by the weigh-off contestant.
• Each contestant is limited to one entry.
• Pumpkins that have won prizes in any other weigh-off competitions are not eligible.
• In the event of a tie, prize money will be distributed equally among the tied parties.
• Pumpkins will be classified by division based on where the specimen is grown, not the residence of the grower.
• Decisions of the judges are final in all cases.
• The vine must be trimmed to within one inch from the stem
• All pumpkins will be weighed without the use of tarps or other carrying devices.
• Pumpkins must be in healthy and undamaged condition, free of rot, holes and cracks that go into the interior cavity of the fruit.
• Pumpkins must be free of damaged areas that are greater than 3 inches in any direction.
• Pumpkins must be free of damaged areas that are greater than 3 inches in depth.
• Any single damaged area greater than 3 inches deep will classify the fruit as damaged (DMG). The dimensions of the damage will be measured after all soft material has been removed with a spoon, if needed.
• If there are more than two damaged areas, the pumpkin will be disqualified.
• If the damaged spot shows signs of healing as governed by the GPC it will not count towards a damaged spot.
• Fresh superficial damage caused by lifting straps, animals or growth cracks will not count towards disqualification.
• Small, damaged areas are acceptable if naturally healed over with new rind, also known as natural scabs or new cantaloping.
• The GPC does not require site Judges to put any part of their body under the pumpkins during inspection.
• Pumpkins must have an orange color or color combinations; otherwise will be considered a squash and would not qualify.