2025 Pumpkin Growing Contest

Can you grow a big pumpkin?

2025 BIG PUMPKIN CONTEST RULES

1. ELIGIBILITY — Entries must be grown in Nodaway County or one of seven adjoining counties (Gentry, Worth, Atchison, Holt and Andrew in Missouri, and Page or Taylor in Iowa) and must be pre-registered by Sept. 15, 2025 (extended from the 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 Sept. 15 here. Each entrant may enter up to three pumpkins, but can only win one prize per entry.

4. PRIZES — More than $2,000 in prize money will be awarded for the largest pumpkin and for entries closest to 100, 200, 300, 400, and 500 pounds.

$500, $250, and $100 for the 3 largest at weigh-in.
$200 and $100 for 2 pumpkins closest to hundredweights in five classes. (Must be within + or - 25 pounds of the X00 weight.)
Winners will be announced and prize monies awarded at 4 p.m. on 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 one week 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 enhancement.

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 Sept. 15.