DEPT 16 ~ GIANT PUMPKIN CONTEST
ROBIN LANGLOIS, SUPT. ~ Tel. 335-5713


Weigh-in: Saturday, Sept. 13, 2008
Time: 10:00 am.

Rules and Regulations:

1. The loading and/or unloading of all pumpkins is solely the responsibility of the entrant.  Rochester Fair Association and its employees are not required to load and/or unload your entry.

2. For purposes of competition a pumpkin will be considered an vegetable of the Cucurbita Pepo or Cucurbita Maxima family that is mostly orange, pale orange, orange yellow, or cream color with a slight orange cast.  If pumpkin is mostly green or gray it will considered a squash.  Where a question on color or qualification exists the superintendent will make the final ruling.

3. The winner will be judged by weight alone.  Circumference, shape, or general appearance has no bearing on the competition.

4. All pumpkins must be grown in New England.  The Grower must be present at competition.  No extra weight or foreign objects may be added to the pumpkin.  The superintendent reserves the right to inspect or probe any pumpkin to determine that the pumpkin is in good physical condition and that no foreign objects have been added.  Refusal to allow this inspection will disqualify you for competition.

5. The vine must be trimmed to within two (2) inches of the pumpkin stem.  If the stem is broken off at the competition, it will be allowed to be weighed with the pumpkin.

6. ONLY ONE PUMPKIN entry PER FAMILY AND ADDRESS.  You can only have one entry under Adults or Children, you may not enter a pumpkin in both categories.

7. NO ENTRIES UNDER BUSINESS NAMES.

8. Occasionally, a ruling must be made by the Agricultural Superintendent that may not specifically be stated in the rules and regulations of this contest.  These rulings will be made on a case by case basis and ALL DECISIONS are FINAL.

9. Lifting tarps will be inspected and given a tarp weight before the competition.

10. Pumpkins must be in good physical condition to qualify for premiums.  Small scratches, dents, scuffs, woodchuck bites, etc.  Will be allowed at the discretion of the Superintendent and if they do not threaten the structural integrity of the pumpkin.  Any pumpkin with a hole that exposes the internal cavity or is severely leaking, or soft pumpkins on the verge of collapse will be disqualified.  Any pumpkins with a soft spot will not be accepted regardless of the size of the soft spot.

11. All pumpkins entered must remain at the Fair from the day of the entry until the last day.

12. Pick up will be at 8:30 A.M. Only on Sunday, September 21, 2008 with loader only available until 9:30 A.M.  After that time you will be on your own to retrieve the pumpkin.

13. The Rochester Fair Association and its employees are not responsible for the loss and damage to any entry in the department.

14. See also the General Rules and Regulations.