’Tis the season!
The Royal Queensland Show (Ekka) is opening entries for its iconic giant pumpkin competition.
Some $3400 in prize money is offered, including last year’s new bonus prize of $1000 for the heaviest pumpkin more than 350 kilograms.
Pumpkin patches across southeast Queensland will pump up their produce as growers vie for the heaviest title.
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.
Veggie patch kings and queens and 2023 Champion Heaviest Pumpkin of Show title winner Downlands College return in 2024 hoping to recreate their history-making win.
Last year the college was the first school ever to take top honours over an Open Class competitor with their 202kg pumpkin.
The minimum weight for entry into the Youth/School class is 10kg and the competition is curriculum-aligned for foundation to year 8, planting the seed of knowledge about the importance of agriculture.
Also, back to compete in 2024 is Open Class heavyweight, Minden grower Geoff Frohloff, who has seen his fair share of prize money over the years and still holds the Ekka giant pumpkin record of 215kg set in 2015.
The weight target for the 2023 bonus prize of $1000 for the heaviest pumpkin has been lowered from more than 500kg to more than 350kg to encourage more growers 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
The giant gourds will roll into the Brisbane Showgrounds on Saturday 9 March 2024 for judging, with the competition held outside of the August Ekka dates to take advantage of the premium pumpkin growing season.
Entries close 1 March, 2024.
