Seaweed, horse poo or even a daily dose of Double Brown – whatever the secret sauce is for pumpkin plumpness, harvest time is approaching for Motueka’s giant pumpkin competition.
Depending on the girth and glamour of each gourd, gardeners are offered a range of categories designed to suit all ages and abilities, organiser John de Jong says.
The competition costs $10 per pumpkin entered, to be paid on weigh-in day.
Categories include heaviest pumpkin, ugliest pumpkin and perfect shape, all open to all ages. There are also decorated pumpkin sections for adults, children aged 10 to 15, and children under 10. Venue Hotel Motueka is also organising a colouring-in competition on the day.
John says the variety of categories means the competition is about more than just size, with creativity and character also playing a role.
Prizes have been donated by a range of local businesses, including Ngarua Caves, Juicies, Stonescape Gardening Supplies, Complete Water Solutions, Farmlands, Mac Hops and Mitre 10. Abel Tasman Sea Shuttles is the event’s major sponsor.
The giant pumpkin competition was resurrected by John and his friends Peter Hobson and Neil Jackson, who remember fondly the Māpua-based event which ceased about a decade ago. Last year was its first year back, with more than 40 pumpkins entered. This year John has created a pumpkin-shaped trophy for the grower of the heaviest gourd.
Motueka’s giant pumpkin competition will be held on Sunday, 12 April, at Hotel Motueka, beginning at 1pm. Entrants and spectators alike are welcome to come and check out the event.
