FARM FAIR PHOTO
Ready for pumpkin pie? If you can grow one as big as the one that captured Jenivieve Laureta-Kaneshiro's eye, grown by her grandmother, you may be able to win a cash prize at the 31st Hawaii State Farm Fair this summer.
The search is on for the "Giant Pumpkin Contest" to be held on the second weekend of the 31st Hawaii State Farm Fair. Plant now for your share
of the pumpkin prizeStar-Bulletin staff
It might seem a little early to announce a contest five months away but according to Tom Hill, co-chair of the 2003 fair, "Giant pumpkins take about 120 days to reach full maturity.
"If you're a pumpkin grower, you need to start planning and planting the seed right now!"
The Giant Pumpkin Contest, sponsored by Star Markets, is open statewide. Entries will be accepted through July 1 at each island's county farm bureau office. For those on the neighbor islands, Young Brother's, Ltd., will provide free shipping to Oahu between July 15 and 22. Winners will be determined by weight and only one entry per person will be accepted.
While supplies last, a limited amount of free "Dill's Atlantic Giant" seed will be available through the county farm bureau offices or United Horticultural Supply. Howard Dill, who grows the seeds, has been a champion at growing giant pumpkins for more than 50 years.
"The secret is choosing the sunniest place where trees or buildings won't shade the vines," he said. "Giant plants need a lot of water, too, but the soil must be well drained."
Winners will be announced at the fair July 25 and cash prizes will be awarded for first place ($500), second place ($250), third place ($125), fourth place ($75) and fifth place ($50) winners.
The fair will be held at Aloha Stadium on three consecutive weekends from July 18 through Aug. 3. For information, call the Hawaii Farm Bureau Federation at 848-2074.
The nonprofit federation hosts the fair to raise funds and provide Hawaii residents and visitors with a unique agricultural experience.
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