By Blake Jackson
The Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture is inviting residents statewide to celebrate fall with its inaugural Pumpkin Palooza Contest, running from September 26 to October 20. The event encourages creativity while supporting local farms across the Commonwealth.
To participate, entrants must purchase a pumpkin from a Pennsylvania farm, market, or pumpkin patch and transform it into a unique piece of art.
The contest includes two categories: painted pumpkins and carved pumpkins, with age divisions for children (11 and under), youth (12-17), and adults (18 and older).
Entries must be submitted via email to agcontests@pa.gov, with the subject line “PA Pumpkin Palooza Entry.”
Submissions should include the entrant’s name, age, county, contact information, a photo of the decorated pumpkin, and the name of the farm where it was purchased. Entries without farm information will be disqualified.
Winners will be notified by October 24, and official announcements will be made on the Department of Agriculture and PA Preferred social media channels on October 31.
Those selected will receive a PA Preferred swag bag, provided they confirm their mailing details by November 5.
Pumpkin Palooza is open to all Pennsylvania residents, excluding Department of Agriculture employees and their household members. By entering, participants grant permission for their names and photos to be used in promotional materials.
For those unsure where to buy a qualifying pumpkin, resources such as PA Preferred® and Penn State’s Farm Market Finder can help locate local farms and markets.
The contest celebrates artistic talent and emphasizes the importance of supporting Pennsylvania’s agricultural community. From imaginative carvings to bold painted designs, organizers are excited to see a wide variety of “gourd-geous” entries.
Photo Credit: gettyImages-digitalvision
Categories: Pennsylvania, Business, General