Western Kentucky Grows Largest Pumpkin, Watermelon, & Sunflower at 2026 KY State Fair
Today we conquered the 2026 Kentucky State Fair, enjoying as much as we could squeeze into a single day. Admiring the exhibits, eating delicious food, petting adorable animals, watching awesome live shows, and doing a little shopping.
After stopping to see our buddy, Freddy Farm Bureau, we headed straight to the West Hall to check out the fruits of Kentucky farmers' labor (literally!) It is one of my favorite things about the fair. You can find all kinds of beautiful fruits and vegetables being judged on size, shape, color, and even creativity. The "Critters" category is so fun and was especially hilarious this year.
I have never seen that exhibition room so full of people before. We even had to wait to go in the door until space cleared out because it was so packed. Everyone was there to see the AMAZING giant pumpkins and watermelons. And while they did take up a lot of room, it was cool to witness that many visitors interested in checking them out.
The pumpkins are displayed right in the middle of the room, and the watermelons are along the wall on the left-hand side.
Here is the sign they have displayed so you can see the stats for the 2026 winners and past years.
Nick McCaslin from Hawesville has won the top spot again for the largest watermelon (245.7 pounds!) this year!
Josh Monin from Caneyville has also won again for the largest pumpkin. Josh holds the state record for a pumpkin he grew in 2025 that weighed in at 2,209 pounds! This year, he also set a state fair record with "Herald," his 1,882,4-pound beauty.
I promise you pictures do NOT do them justice. They're CRAZY big! You've gotta see them in real life; they are so impressive! When I messaged Josh to congratulate him, he told me, "I'm glad it brings so much joy to people."
He also shared that his son is joining the ranks of giant growers, taking home the blue ribbon for tallest sunflower! 95 inches! Way to go, Bennett! Wow!
When Josh joined us on the morning show last year to talk about his fair winner, we joked about there being something in the water in Western Kentucky. While I am not a scientist, I do think it would be interesting to conduct a study or something. Because for this side of the state to win all of those awards is pretty darn cool!
"Kentucky has been the leading producer of watermelons that weigh in excess of 300 pounds," Nick told me. "That's more than any other state or country, with a total of fifteen 300+ pound watermelons." The dedication to growing massive melons is very impressive. Fascinating, even.
Josh also shared with me that he has another pumpkin (I think his name is Gerald) growing in the greenhouse that he plans to bring to the Hancock County Fairgrounds on September 12th. Growers and exhibitors from around the country are getting together for the first-ever Bluegrass Championship Weigh-Off. At least ten different states, including New York, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina, will all be represented, with more waiting to confirm.
This contest is open to anyone and everyone of all ages and features more than giant watermelons and pumpkins. If you grow Green Squash, Tomatoes, Bushel Gourds, Long Gourds, Marrow, or Field Pumpkins, you should join in! Only $20 per entry, and there are cash prizes. Just be ready to load in at 10 AM that morning before the scale is rolled out at noon.
The event itself is going to be a blast, with Harvest Fest happening at the same time. Local vendors will be set up selling arts and crafts. Plus, there will be food and homemade goodies to enjoy. You may also get to watch history be made. Gerald, the pumpkin, is even bigger than his superstar "brother" Herald.
Gotta give some special shout-outs to Nick's sidekick, Sadie, his precious pup and watermelon quality control specialist. Also, Josh's amazing family: agronomist wife, Whitney; fellow giant grower, Bennett, who just started Kindergarten and is already cooler than me; and the pumpkin princess herself, Landry!
If you would like to sponsor this event to keep it going for years to come, or for more information, you can contact Nick McCaslin or Kentucky Giant Growers on Facebook. Otherwise, I hope to see you at the Bluegrass Championship Weigh-Off! Seeing these massive monsters in person is pretty mind-blowing. So much hard work goes into growing giants, and I just KNOW the wins and the smiles on faces make it all worth it.
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Gallery Credit: MKAT
2025 Kentucky State Fair Photos
Gallery Credit: MKAT
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