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Fort Collins Nursery’s Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off & Fall Jamboree – 2023
October 14, 2023 @ 10:00 am - 3:00 pm
Giant Pumpkins • Kids Activities • Food Trucks
Join us for Fort Collins Nursery’s 15th Annual Giant Pumpkin Contest on Saturday, October 14th. We are an officially sanctioned contest site for the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth which brings a whole new level of competition and some truly staggering entries! Growers will compete for cash prizes and awards in multiple prize categories. This event is free and open to the public.
Click here to see photos and winners from last year’s contest.
Click here to see a list of competition results from previous years.
Competition Categories & Prizes
- Heaviest Pumpkin
- Heaviest Pumpkin 1st Place: $3,000
- Heaviest Pumpkin 2nd Place: $1,500
- Heaviest Pumpkin 3rd Place: $750
- Heaviest Pumpkin 4th Place: $450
- Heaviest Pumpkin 5th Place: $225
- Heaviest Pumpkin 6th Place: $125
- Heaviest Pumpkin 7th Place: $50
- Heaviest Pumpkin 8th Place: $25
- Heaviest Pumpkin 9th Place: $25
- Heaviest Pumpkin 10th Place: $25
- Heaviest Squash 1st Place: $100
- Howard Dill (Prettiest Pumpkin) 1st Place: $50
- Longest Gourd 1st Place: $50
- Heaviest Tomato 1st Place: $50
- Heaviest Watermelon 1st Place: $50
- Sunflower (Tallest) 1st Place: $50
- Sunflower (Biggest Head) 1st Place: $50
- Kids Division (13 and under) 1st, 2nd, 3rd place: Ribbon & Prize
Kids Division entries will be weighed and prizes distributed before weighing the adult division entries.
Rules and Regulations
Registration/ Check-in
Contestants may register and check in between 10-11am. Weighing will begin at approximately 11:30. Contestants are encouraged to check in early so we can begin weighing in a timely fashion. Registration forms are available at Fort Collins Nursery the day of the event.
Please note a $10.00 scale fee for each fruit is charged for non club members. Non-members can learn more about joining the Rocky Mountain Giant Vegetable Growers club here.
Jamboree Features
- Food from Schmickels Hot Dog Cart & Sunny Sky Pies: 10: 10am – 3pm
- Coffee tasting from Perk Mill Coffee: 9am – 1pm
- Pumpkin Bowling: 10am – 2pm
- Face Painting by Valiant Designs: 10am – 2pm
- Tractor Hayrides: 11:30am – 2pm
- *Interactive Instrument Garden by Boredom Fighters: 10am – 2pm
*The Instrument Garden is an immersive musical experience designed for people of all ages, skill levels and backgrounds. Get hands on with beat pads, keyboards, synthesizers and music making software while you collaborate and create with our team of professional, local musicians and beat makers. We encourage you to stop by and experience the wonder of the Garden! If your child (or you!) has ever expressed interest in making beats, DJ-ing, and music in general…this is your chance to get hands on!
Special thanks to the Spirit of the Poudre 4-H Club for their help in running the Jamboree events.
Giant Pumpkin Donations
The Gardens on Spring Creek is looking for giant pumpkins and gourds to display at their Pumpkins on Parade event. If you are a grower who is willing to donate to their display, you can receive fun perks like free event tickets, grower recognition, and cash payments for larger donations. More information here.
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Originally published on April 25th, 2023. Updated on October 16th, 2023.