The Union County Farmers Market is hosting a Giant Pumpkin Contest, a Giant Watermelon Contest, and an Ugliest Vegetable Contest as part of the Heritage Festival on October 4, 2025. Pumpkins and watermelons will be weighed on the Market scale at 115 Durham Drive from 8:00 to 9:00 on the Festival Morning of October 4. The Ugliest Vegetable will be judged on appearance only.

The contests are open to all ages and experience. Produce must be grown by the contestant and be healthy with no rot and no fillers. Participants may only win one prize in each category. For the pumpkin and the watermelon contests, first place prizes are $100 Gift Certificates to Union County Farmers Co-Op. Second place prizes are $50 gift certificates to the Union County Co-Op. The Ugliest Vegetable will be displayed at the Farmers Market and the grower will receive bragging rights.

So hopefully, the seeds of Gourdzilla and the Hulk are sprouting and maturing into giant monstrosities across the fields of Union County just biding time until they become the winners of the very first giant pumpkin and giant watermelon contest of the Union County Heritage Festival.

From the Farmers Co-Op is the following message: Attention farmers, gardeners, and pumpkin enthusiasts! The Union County Co-Op is proud to sponsor this year’s Giant Pumpkin Contest. It’s time to roll up your sleeves, plant your seeds, and join the race to grow the biggest pumpkin in Union County. Let’s celebrate the incredible skill and dedication of our local growers!

The Union County Co-Op is here to support your growing needs with high-quality seeds, advice, growing tips, fertilizers, and gardening tools perfect for growing giant pumpkins. We’re proud to sponsor this community event and hope to make it a yearly tradition. Let’s make this year’s contest the most exciting one yet!

Remember to pick up a form at the Farmers Market or the Farmers Co-Op or online at this article on Historic Union County. Complete the form and email to UnionFMKT@gmail.com by September 20.