Oh my gourd! Weigh-off for giant pumpkin and watermelon contest to be held at NC State Fairgrounds

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Giant pumpkins and super-sized watermelons will hit the scales at the N.C. State Fair Great Pumpkin and Watermelon competition.

The contest will be held Tuesday at 2 p.m. This contest of the oversized fruits and vegetables is one of the N.C. State Fair’s most popular competition displays. Visitors can even take photos of the giant displays.

This year, there are 22 pumpkins and 14 watermelons registered to enter the contest.

This competition, sanctioned by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, is open to growers in any state. The top three winners in the pumpkins will take home between $1.50 and $3 per pound. The top three winners in watermelons will be awarded between $3 and $6 per pound.

A $2,500 bonus will be paid to any world record-breaking watermelon. The current record is 350.5 pounds. The winners will be displayed in the Expo Center.

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