The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) has opened entries for its iconic Giant Pumpkin competition, supported by Pillow Talk.
The competition offers more than $3400 in prize money, with a new bonus of $1000 for the heaviest pumpkin weighing more than a whopping 500 kilograms.
Pumpkin patches across south east Queensland will pack on the pounds as growers try to cash in by carving out a win.
Prize money on offer for the open and youth classes is $600 for first place, $400 for second and $300 for third.
All pumpkins more than 80kg are eligible for the coveted title of Champion Heaviest Pumpkin of Show and $850.
Minden grower Geoff Frohloff still holds the Ekka giant pumpkin record of 261.5kg, which he set in 2015.
Geoff and son Tony Frohloff have confirmed they will contest the competition again, hoping to crush their rivals – and that includes each other!
School students will also join the veggie patch heavyweights, with the competition curriculum-aligned for Foundation to Grade eight, planting the seed of knowledge about the importance of agriculture.
The minimum weight for entry into the youth/school class has been lowered to 10kg to encourage more students to get their green thumbs on.
Farmers, gardeners, schools and students can request their free Giant Atlantic pumpkin seeds and an information pack through the Ekka website at www.ekka.com.au/competitions/education/giant-pumpkin
The giant gourds will roll into the Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday 29 April 2023 for judging, with the competition held outside of the August Ekka dates to exploit the premium pumpkin growing season.
Entries close Friday 21 April.
