Harrisburg, PA – Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding invites Pennsylvanians to carve out some time for family fun, while supporting a Pennsylvania pumpkin farmer. Purchase a PA-grown pumpkin and make it your canvas for creativity in the PA Preferred® pumpkin contest, PA Pumpkin Palooza: Where Gourds Go Glam.
“Pennsylvania has a pumpkin patch around every corner and a farmer producing the best quality products on the market,” said Secretary Redding. “Take time this fall for some fun on the farm and pick a PA pumpkin to express your creative support for Pennsylvania farms. Not only will your PA pumpkin pride shine all season, but your purchasing power helps farmers feed families, support jobs and grow our economy.”
In 2023, Pennsylvania farms produced more than 5,400 acres and 90 million pounds of pumpkins, worth $18.6 million. Pick-your-own pumpkin patches and farmers markets are popular magnets for family fun, joining a host of fall destinations in Pennsylvania’s $76 billion-plus powerhouse tourism industry. Find a pumpkin patch or farm market near you at agriculture.pa.gov/papreferred.
A panel of gourd-loving expert judges will pick winners in two categories – painted pumpkins and carved pumpkins. Winners in each category will be in three age groups, Child (11 and under), Youth (12 – 17), and Adult (18+).
Enter by emailing a photo of your creation, along with your name, age, Pennsylvania hometown and county, email address, phone number, and the PA farm where you purchased your pumpkin to agcontests@pa.gov.
Submissions will be accepted Monday, September 23 through Sunday, October 20, at 11:59 p.m. Winners will be announced October 31, 2024.
Winning pumpkins and farms where they were picked will be featured on PA Preferred’s Instagram account and the PA Department of Agriculture’s Facebook page. Winners will receive a PA Preferred swag bag filled with Pennsylvania treats.
Find more information and complete contest rules at agriculture.pa.gov.
PA Preferred is Pennsylvania’s brand for locally grown and produced agriculture. Look for the PA Preferred yellow and blue check, wherever you shop. Find in-season produce, producer profiles, and more at agriculture.pa.gov/papreferred.
Contact: Shannon Powers – 717.603.2056, shpowers@pa.gov
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