The Grand Pumpkin Growing Contest 2025
🎃 Matakana’s Mightiest Pumpkins Crowned! 🏆
Our hearts (and wheelbarrows) are full after an epic day at the Grand Pumpkin Weigh-In 2025 at the Matakana Village Farmers’ Market! From tiny treasures to lumpy legends, the pumpkins rolled in and truly stole the show.
Download all the images here.
We had an amazing turnout, loads of laughs, and some seriously impressive growing efforts from our local legends. A massive thank you to everyone who entered, cheered, and celebrated with us. Here are your official winners:
🥇 Biggest Pumpkin – 1st: Justine Longland
🥈 2nd: Lisa McConnell
🥉 3rd: Rachel Macnicol
🎖 4th: Tom Klockseth
🌱 Tiniest Pumpkin: Rachael Lovelace
😂 Ugliest Pumpkin: Justine Longland
🌸 Prettiest Pumpkin: Bronwyn Charlesworth
🎭 Celebrity Lookalike: Jasper
🌀 Most Spectacular Shape: Anna Didsbury
🌿 Rookie of the Year: Hudson
📸 Best Patch Photo: Justine Longland
🎨 Most Creative Display: Benson
Every pumpkin had its own charm, and every grower should be proud. Whether you grew a monster or a mini, your mahi helped raise funds for Wildly Curious Outdoor Learning Centre, supporting their dream of a mini bus to take tamariki on more nature-filled adventures.
Ka pai to everyone involved – we can't wait to grow even bigger next year! 🌟
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Join The Grand Pumpkin Growing Contest 2025 at the Matakana Village Farmers’ Market! 🎃
The Giant Pumpkin Growing Contest is back! It’s time to plant, nurture, and compete for the grandest gourd in Matakana. This is your chance to grow local legend status (and a pumpkin to be proud of), all while supporting a great cause.
Support Wildly Curious: Growing Pumpkins, Growing Adventures 🌱🚐
This year, your pumpkin-growing efforts will help us bring more adventure to the children at Wildly Curious Outdoor Learning Centre! We’re raising funds for a much-needed mini bus to take the tamariki further afield — exploring beaches, forests, wetlands, and beyond. These adventures will nurture a love for nature, teach the importance of community and conservation, and empower the next generation of adventurers and environmental stewards.
How can you help? Pumpkin seedlings will be on sale at the Matakana Village Farmers’ Market this weekend for just $10 each! Don’t wait — this is your only chance to grab these special seedlings, and we think they’ll sell out fast. All proceeds go towards funding the Wildly Curious mini bus, so your purchase makes a big difference!
How to Enter and Stay Informed
Ready to start? Register now to secure your entry and stay in the loop for contest updates. Registration is free, and all entries must be registered online or in person when you buy your seedlings. Get growing and join the fun!
Key Dates to Remember
Planting Season: October to December – the perfect time to get your seeds in the soil!
The Big Weigh-In: 10 am, Saturday, March 29, 2025, at the Matakana Farmers’ Market. Pumpkins must be registered and on display by 9:30 am to qualify.
Categories to Triumph
Heaviest Pumpkin: Go big or go home—this category is for the giants!
Tiniest Pumpkin: Small but mighty, this category celebrates the cutest, tiniest gourds.
Ugliest Pumpkin: Beauty isn’t everything—quirky, bumpy, and lopsided pumpkins have their time to shine here.
Prettiest Pumpkin: Elegance on display! Whether it’s smooth, symmetrical, or perfectly coloured, this one’s for the beauties.
Celebrity Doppelganger Pumpkin: A crowd favourite! Which famous face does your pumpkin resemble? Get creative and make us laugh!
Most Spectacular Shape: For pumpkins that have grown into fascinating twists, curves, or unexpected angles.
Green Thumb Rookie of the Year: A special award for first-time growers who impress with their enthusiasm and efforts, regardless of the final pumpkin size.
Best Pumpkin Patch Photo: Submit your best photo of your pumpkin in its growing habitat to add a storytelling element to the contest.
Most Creative Pumpkin Display: Showcase your pumpkin with added flair—decorations, props, or a themed display that amplifies its charm.
Prizes
Winners in each category will receive Matakana Village Gift Cards, custom certificates, and more runner-up prizes announced on contest day.
Why We Do It
This isn’t just about pumpkins — it’s about fun, community spirit, and coming together to make a difference. Register now, plant your seeds, and get ready to showcase your best pumpkin in March!
Let’s grow something amazing — together. 🌟
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Matakana Village Farmers' Market Giant Pumpkin Growing Contest – Terms & Conditions
Eligibility
Entry is open to all ages, and registration is required to participate. No purchase is necessary to enter.
Registration
All entries must be registered online or at the Farmers' Market on seedling sale day to qualify for judging. Only registered pumpkins will be eligible for prizes.
Pumpkin Guidelines
Any type of pumpkin is welcome in the contest. For those aiming to grow the biggest pumpkin, we recommend the Atlantic Giant or Behemoth Giant varieties.
The pumpkin must be grown by the entrant and maintained by them throughout the growing period.
Weigh-In Day
The weigh-in will take place at 10 am on April 5, 2025, at the Matakana Village Farmers' Market.
Registered pumpkins must be on display and checked in by 9:30 am on the day of the contest.
Categories and Judging
Categories include Heaviest Pumpkin, Ugliest Pumpkin, Prettiest Pumpkin, and Celebrity Doppelganger Pumpkin.
Judging will be based on the category criteria, as decided by the appointed judges. All judging decisions are final.
Prizes
Prizes will be awarded for each category and are non-transferable. Prizes may include gift cards, certificates, and other items. Specific prizes will be announced on the contest day.
Community Spirit
This contest is all about fun, community spirit, and bringing everyone together for a light-hearted challenge! Let’s keep it friendly and supportive.
Promotion and Publicity
By participating, entrants consent to Matakana Village Farmers' Market using images or videos of their pumpkins for promotional purposes on social media and other marketing materials.
Disqualification
Matakana Village Farmers' Market reserves the right to disqualify any entrant who fails to adhere to the terms and conditions or engages in unsportsmanlike conduct.
Liability
Matakana Village Farmers' Market is not responsible for any damages or injuries related to growing, transporting, or presenting the pumpkins.
Amendments
Matakana Village Farmers' Market reserves the right to modify or cancel the contest at any time. Any updates will be communicated to registered entrants.
This version keeps the focus on community spirit and welcomes all types of pumpkins. Let me know if any more adjustments are needed!