Giant Pumpkin Obliterates Kentucky State Fair Record!
Giant Pumpkin Smashes Record at Kentucky State Fair!
What Happened at the Fair?
Imagine a pumpkin so big it weighs more than a grown-up polar bear! That’s exactly what happened at the Kentucky State Fair this weekend. A farmer named Josh Monin grew a pumpkin that broke the all-time fair record.
BIG NEWS ALERT!
This wasn’t just a big pumpkin—it was the biggest pumpkin ever at the Kentucky State Fair!
Meet the Winners
The Champion Pumpkin
- Grower: Josh Monin
- From: Grayson County, Kentucky
- Weight: 1,882.4 pounds (that’s 854 kilograms!)
- Achievement: NEW STATE FAIR RECORD
The Champion Watermelon
- Grower: Nick McCaslin
- From: Hancock County, Kentucky
- Weight: 245.7 pounds (that’s 111 kilograms!)
- Achievement: First place in watermelon contest
How Heavy Is That Really?
Let’s put these numbers in perspective:
| Object | Weight | Comparison |
|---|---|---|
| Record Pumpkin | 1,882.4 lbs | ≈ 157 bowling balls or 2 grand pianos |
| Champion Watermelon | 245.7 lbs | ≈ 20 bowling balls or 1 adult panda bear |
| Average Pumpkin | 10-20 lbs | The winner is 100x bigger than normal! |
Where Can You See Them?
Both giant fruits are on display for the entire fair! Here’s where to find them:
- Go to the Kentucky Exposition Center
- Find the West Wing building
- Look for the massive pumpkin and watermelon on special display
- Take pictures (but no touching—they’re prize winners!)
Fun Fair Fact
Mark your calendar! WDRB (the local news station) is having their special "Day at the Fair" on Friday, August 28th. That’s a great day to visit!
How Do You Grow a Giant Pumpkin?
Growing record-breakers isn’t magic—it’s science and patience! Here’s the simple recipe:
- Special Seeds – Start with seeds from other giant pumpkins (they have "big genes")
- Perfect Soil – Rich, tested dirt with just the right nutrients
- Lots of Water – Hundreds of gallons per day at peak growth!
- Sun Protection – Giant pumpkins get "sunburned," so growers use tents
- One Pumpkin Per Plant – All energy goes to just ONE fruit
- Daily Care – Checking for bugs, diseases, and measuring growth
- Patience – It takes 4-5 months from seed to champion
Why Do People Do This?
DID YOU KNOW?
Giant vegetable growing is a serious hobby with competitions worldwide! The world record pumpkin (not just state fair) is over 2,700 pounds—that’s heavier than a small car!
People grow giants for:
- Friendly competition with other growers
- Prize money and ribbons
- Community pride (representing their county!)
- The challenge of doing something extraordinary
- Sharing the wonder with fair visitors like you!
Summary
- Josh Monin from Grayson County grew a 1,882.4-pound pumpkin
- New Kentucky State Fair record broken on Saturday!
- Nick McCaslin from Hancock County won with a 245.7-pound watermelon
- Both are on display in the West Wing for the whole fair
- WDRB Day at the Fair is Friday, August 28th
- Growing giants takes special seeds, daily care, and 4-5 months
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How much does the winner get paid?
A: Prize amounts vary by year, but state fair champions often win thousands of dollars plus trophies and bragging rights!
Q: Can you eat a pumpkin that big?
A: Technically yes, but giant pumpkins aren’t tasty—they’re bred for size, not flavor. They’re usually fed to farm animals or composted after the fair.
Q: How do they move a 1,800-pound pumpkin?
A: Very carefully! They use heavy-duty tarps, forklifts, or special lifting frames with many strong people. One wrong move and it could crack!
Q: What happens to the pumpkins after the fair?
A: Many go to zoos for animal enrichment, some are carved by professional artists, and others are composted to return nutrients to the soil.
Q: Could I grow one in my backyard?
A: Absolutely! Start with "Atlantic Giant" seeds, give it lots of space (vines grow 30+ feet!), rich soil, and daily attention. You might not break records your first year, but you’ll have fun trying!
Article based on WDRB Media reporting. Copyright 2026 WDRB Media. All Rights Reserved.