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Garden of the Giants

2026 Entry Instructions

ONLINE ENTRY IS REQUIRED. To be an Exhibitor, click on the Online Entry link and follow the instructions. If you have questions, or are unable to complete the online form, please contact the department superintendent.

Rules for Lot 1 Pumpkin/Squash

  1. Entries must be delivered on the Tuesday before the Fair between 2pm & 5pm.
  2. Entry must be grown by the exhibitor, and only 1 official entry per class per exhibitor is allowed. Other entries brought by the exhibitor will be considered as exhibition and will be weighed and exhibited, but not eligible for prize money or awards.
  3. The grower of the exhibit entry MUST be present at the weigh in for an official weight. If the grower is not present, the entry will be weighed and displayed as exhibition only and will not be eligible for a prize.
  4. All entries must remain intact and on display for the duration of the Fair (6pm Tues. to 9am Mon. when they can be picked up).
  5. If a pumpkin is determined to be 100% gray/green in color, the entry will be titled as a squash, and will still be eligible for prize money and a ribbon as stated above, since the placing is based on weight.
  6. All entries over 50 lbs. must be on a pallet to facilitate the unloading process.
  7. All entries must be healthy and must be free of rot, holes/cracks that protrude into the cavity and serious soft spots, as well as free and clean of chemicals or fungicide residue. Fruits that have been weighed at another weigh-off are not eligible to be entered.
  8. All entries are subject to inspection prior to being weighed. Judges are allowed to disqualify an entry if it does not meet all requirements.
  9. The Durham Agricultural Fair follows all official GPC (Great Pumpkin Commonwealth ) rules. For a list of these rules you can go to gpc1.org or contact the Superintendent.
  10. All exhibits and ribbons should be picked up on the Monday after the Fair between 9am & 3pm. If you are unable to pick up during that time you must make arrangements with the Superintendent or the entry will be discarded.

Rules for Bushel Gourds Lot 2

  1. Bushel Gourds must be free of rot/cracks, splits, and holes.
  2. If a bushel gourd has been cross pollinated it will be disqualified.
  3. The Durham Agriculture Fair follows all GPC rules.
  4. Exhibits must be dropped off between 2pm & 5pm on the Tuesday before the Fair.

Rules for Watermelon Lot 3

  1. Rules for watermelons are the same as giant pumpkins/squash. The Durham Agriculture Fair follows all GPC rules.
  2. Exhibits must be dropped off between 2pm & 5pm on the Tuesday before the Fair.

Rules for Giant Tomatoes Lot 4

  1. All tomatoes must be healthy. Free of significant soft spots, mold, decay or leakage.
  2. Tomatoes will be weighed on a certified scale.
  3. No frozen specimens are allowed.
  4. The Durham Fair follows all GPC rules.
  5. Exhibits must be dropped off between 2pm & 5pm on the Tuesday before the Fair.

Rules for Long Gourds Lot 5

  1. Long Gourds are strictly awarded based on length.
  2. The Long Gourd must be on a flat surface that can support the entire specimen.
  3. No part of the stem is included in the measurement.
  4. Entries must be free of rot/holes, whole and firm.
  5. If the Long Gourd has been crossed pollinated it will be disqualified.
  6. The Durham Agriculture Fair follows all GPC rules.
  7. Exhibits must be dropped off between 2pm & 5pm on the Tuesday before the Fair.

Rules for Sunflowers Lots 6 & 7

  1. Entries must be delivered on Tuesday before the Fair between 2pm & 5pm
  2. All entries must remain intact and on display for the duration of the Fair.
  3. Judging will take place on the Wednesday afternoon prior to the Fair. For Class 06 Big Head Sunflower over the top measurement will be used to determine the size. For Lot 7, Tallest Sunflower, measurements will be taken from the base of the stem (above the root ball) to the top of the sunflower stem.
  4. Ribbons and entries can be picked up on the Monday after the Fair between 9am & 3pm, If you are unable to pick up your ribbons at that time please contact the Superintendent.

Rules for Field Pumpkins Lot 8

  1. Rules for field pumpkins are the same as giant pumpkins/squash. The Durham Agriculture Fair follows all GPC rules.
  2. If a field pumpkin has been cross pollinated with a Marrow it will be disqualified.
  3. Exhibits must be dropped off between 2pm & 5pm on the Tuesday before the Fair.

Rules for Marrow Lot 9

  1. Rules formarrows are the same as watermelon. The Durham Agriculture Fair follows all GPC rules.
  2. Exhibits must be intact and free of rot for the duration of the fair.
  3. Exhibits must be dropped off between 2pm & 5pm on the Tuesday before the Fair.

Rules for Carved Pumpkins Lot 10

  1. One entry per person
  2. Entries MUST be carved prior to being dropped off at the Fair. Carving at the Fair is not permitted.
  3. All entries MUST be preserved prior to drop off.
  4. Description of how the pumpkin was preserved must be presented on a 3×5 index card along with your name and address. (Examples include but not limited to: bleach, wax, WD-40).
  5. Entries are to be delivered on the Tuesday prior to the Fair between 2pm and 6pm
  6. Judging will take place on Wednesday afternoon.
  7. People’s Choice vote will take place from the time the Fair opens on Thursday until closing on Friday. The winner will be announced Saturday morning.
  8. Entries should be between 10” and 20” tall.
  9. All entries must remain intact and on display for the duration of the Fair.
  10. Judging is based on the following criteria:
    1. Quality
    2. Creativity
    3. Detail
  11. Ribbons can be picked up on the Monday after the Fair between 9am-3pm. If you are unable to pick up your ribbon at that time please contact the Superintendent.

Bonus Awards

  • Ugly Pumpkin: $25
  • Howard Dill Award for prettiest Atlantic Giant Pumpkin: $150
  • All Green Atlantic Giant Squash: $100
  • Connecticut State Record Pumpkin: $500

Entry Categories

Garden of the Giants

Garden of the Giants lots, categories, and prize amounts
LotDescription1st2nd3rd4th5th6th7th8th9th10th
1Pumpkin/Squash$3,000$2,000$800$700$600$500$400$300$200$100
2Bushel Gourds$150$100$50
3Watermelon$150$100$50
4Tomato$25$10$5
5Long Gourd$150$100$50
6Big Head Sunflower$25$10$5
7Tall Sunflower$25$10$5
8Field Pumpkin$150$100$50
9Marrow$50$25$15

Carved Pumpkins

Carved Pumpkins lots, categories, and prize amounts
LotDescription1st2nd3rd
10Carved Pumpkin$25$10$5
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Questions? Contact the Garden of the Giants Committee

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Carnival game booth with stuffed prizes and a Ferris wheel
Man operating vintage farm equipment
Vintage farm tools and milk bottles displayed at an exhibit
Three women selling donuts at a food stand
Llama eating hay