Local

Nearly 1-ton pumpkin sets record at North Carolina State Fair

By The Associated Press
Chris Rodebaugh poses with his children at the N.C. State Fair after his massive pumpkin set a new record.
Record setting pumpkin Chris Rodebaugh poses with his children at the N.C. State Fair after his massive pumpkin set a new record. (NC State Fair)
By The Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. — The record-setting pumpkin at this year’s North Carolina State Fair can make a lot of pies.

According to fair officials, Chris Rodebaugh of Lewisburg, West Virginia, set a record with a 1,965.5-pound pumpkin. That’s short of the world record of 2,703 pounds set by Stefano Cutrupi of Italy.

Headed to the NC or SC State Fair? Here’s what you need to know

The state fair said the top three winners in the pumpkin competition receive between $1.50 and $3 per pound.

(WATCH BELOW: Video of the pumpkin weigh-in)

Joseph Pitchford, spokesperson for the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, said the fair’s giant pumpkin competition is recognized by Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, which allows the fair to accept out-of-state entries.

In the watermelon contest, Andrew Vial of Liberty also set a State Fair record with his 341-pound melon. That was close to the world record of 350.5 pounds set by grower Chris Kent of Sevierville, Tennessee, in 2013.

The top finishers in the watermelon competition get between $3 and $6 per pound.

(WATCH BELOW: Cleveland County Fair canceled over COVID-19 concerns)

Cleveland County Fair canceled over COVID-19 concerns

©2021 Cox Media Group

0

Most Read