2025 Pumpkin Growing Contest

Seeds, Rules & Instructions

1. ELIGIBILITY — Entries must be grown in Nodaway County or one of 7 adjoining counties (Gentry, Worth, Atchison, Holt and Andrew in Missouri and Page or Taylor in Iowa) and must be pre-registered by August 15, 2025 (extended from previous July 15 deadline).

2. SEEDS/PLANTS—FREE seeds will be available from Downtown Maryville and participating local sponsors. However, you may use
seeds or plants acquired from other sources.

3. REGISTRATION—After you have pumpkins established you must register online and pay a $5 entry fee to be eligible for prize monies.
You must register prior to August 15 at downtownmaryvillemo.com/pumpkin-contest. Each entrant may enter up to three
pumpkins, but can only win one prize per entry.

4. PRIZES—More than $2000 in prize money for largest pumpkin and entries closest to 100, 200, 300 400 and 500 pounds.
--$500, $250 and $100 for 3 largest at weigh-in.
--$200 and $100 for 2 pumpkins closest to hundredweights in five classes. (Must be + or – 25 pounds of the X00 weight.

–Winners will be announced and prize monies will be awarded at 4 p.m. September 28 in Maryville’s downtown pocket park at Third and Main.

5. WEIGH-IN — Times and locations will be provided by text or email to registrants at least two weeks before weigh-in. (Tentatively late
afternoon and evening on Friday, Sept. 26 and early morning on Saturday, Sept. 27)

6. JUDGING — Weights and pumpkin certification will be determined at weigh-in. Pumpkins with cracks, holes and splits, or evidence of
injection or tampering to add weight, will be disqualified. The decisions of judges are final.

7. DISPLAY — By entering, growers agree to allow sponsors to transport, display and possibly decorate their entries by painting, carving
or other enhancements.

8. PICK-UP — Pumpkins are to be picked up between 6 and 10 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28. Sponsors are not responsible for pumpkins
remaining after 10 p.m.

9. SEEDS — Contestants winning the three largest pumpkin prizes agree to provide one-third of the seeds contained in their prize
winner for distribution in future contests.

10. ENTRY DEADLINE — You must pre-register online by Aug. 15.

Planting & Growing Tips

Downtown Maryville suggests the websites below for education and tips on how to best grow your pumpkins.

Wallace Whoppers Growing Tips

Jim Sherwood’s Tips for Growing Giant Pumpkins

Ohio State Growing Giant Pumpkins