The snows have just melted and it is time to turn your thoughts to growing bigger and bigger pumpkins.

The seventh annual Whidbey Island Giant Pumpkin Contest has been organized for the 2002 growing season. Contests of this nature have been increasing in popularity over the past few years. Some of the growers in the Pacific Northwest have been successful in growing pumpkins as large as 800 pounds.

Last year’s Island winner was Bob Bailey of Coupeville, his third victory.

The rules are simple and few. The pumpkins must be grown on the island and will be weighed at the Coupeville Harvestfest in October. Prizes will be awarded for the largest pumpkin and the largest pumpkin grown by a junior contestant. Even smaller pumpkins stand a chance of winning the Prettiest or Ugliest Giant Pumpkin prizes. Anyone who has never won a prize will be eligible for the Rookie of the Year award.

Bakers take note. We also plan on our second pumpkin pie contest to be held at the same time this fall at Coupeville’s HarvestFest.

Potential contestants are encouraged to plan now to start their pumpkin growing. For information, please contact Lee Roof at 675-5687 or Neal Amtmann at 678-6016.