FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
MONDAY, OCT. 3, 2011

State Farmers Market to host
26th annual decorated pumpkin contest Thursday, Oct. 6

RALEIGH — For more than a quarter-century, children and adults have turned ordinary pumpkins into extraordinary works of art during the decorated pumpkin contest at the State Farmers Market. A successful local crop should give contestants at the 26th annual contest on Oct. 6 plenty of pumpkin choices.

“Several parts of North Carolina are seeing strong pumpkin crops this year,” Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler said. “Participants in the Triangle should have no trouble finding a pumpkin for the contest.”

The contest offers three age divisions: 8 years and younger, 9 to 15, and 16 and older. Contestants can drop off their decorated pumpkins in the Farmers Building Wednesday, Oct. 5, from 3 to 5 p.m., or Thursday, Oct. 6, from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Judging is open to media, and will begin at 9:30 a.m. Thursday.

Decorated pumpkins will be judged on creativity, as well as the color, shape and quality of the pumpkin used. Pumpkins can be carved or painted, and can use other forms of art media, but cannot be artificial. The first-place winner in each division will be awarded $40. Second, third and fourth place will receive $25, $10 and $5, respectively.

The event is sponsored by the State Farmers Market, the State Farmers Market Restaurant and the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. For additional information about this event and other upcoming events at the State Farmers Market, go to http://www.ncagr.gov/markets/facilities/markets/raleigh/promos.htm.

-pmj-2