The Kentucky State Fair’s Largest Pumpkin & Watermelon Winners Are Unbelievably Huge

Yesterday, Chad and I took our friends Heather and Cheryl to the Kentucky State Fair. It's a tradition here to go on opening day, but we switched things up and popped over for $5 Monday. As usual, the fair did not disappoint. And we got to see a different side of things.

Pigs and Mules, free entertainment like the Marvelous Mutts and Lady Houdini, and the incredible feats of nature displayed thanks to the growers of the largest pumpkins and melons in the state. The weigh-in over the weekend crowned the top spots and they are featured in the vegetable expo in the West Wing of the fairgrounds in Louisville, KY. Here are some of the runner-ups which are still serious impressive!

Frank Mudd from Meade County, KY grew the Largest Watermelon winner which weighed in at a whopping 233.2 pounds! He's been a repeat winner over the years with his monster seeds.

When we saw it, my friend Heather joked, "Oh wow! The only time I've ever weighed less than a fruit!"

The largest pumpkin was a sight to behold though. While it isn't the largest that has ever made it's way to the Kentucky State Fair, it took home the top spot this year at 1,133.1 pounds!

According to the folks who weighed the contest, Dwight Slone of Floyd County is known as "the Johnny Appleseed of Pumpkins." He has won six times over the years and other growers actually buy their seeds from in an attempt to replicate his success.

The Agriculture Commissioner, Johnathan Shell told us that he even grows pumpkins with Dwight's seeds, but hasn't had as much luck just yet. He said he hasn't found the secret to getting them past 300 pounds.

We also learned from him that pumpkins like listening to music. Some country, some pop, and even heavy metal. He said those are the ones that grow with gnarly stripes and cuts on them.

Here is the second place winner. What a pretty color! I'm really curious what the inside of the bad boys look like. They could make enough pumpkin pie to feed Cox's army! Chad said they used to do a Great Pumpkin Smash here at the radio station. They would haul big ole pumpkins into the air and then let 'er rip like a big messy piñata.

You still have time to check them out. Only $10 for admission, so much free entertainment, interesting exhibits, adorable animals, rides, and celebrating 120 years of the Kentucky State Fair!