Winners announced in giant pumpkin and watermelon competitions

What this means

North Carolina’s agriculture department announced the results of the State Fair’s giant-produce weigh-in on October 14, 2026. Albert Rodebaugh of West Virginia won the open pumpkin contest with a 2,123-pound entry and also received the Howard Dill appearance award; James Cain of King won the North Carolina-only pumpkin contest at 585.4 pounds. Todd Dawson of Garner took first place in watermelons with a 281.6-pound entry. The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth-sanctioned competition accepts growers from other states and awards the top three pumpkin entries $1.50–$3 per pound and top watermelon entries $3–$6 per pound. The winning produce will be displayed in the Agri Supply Expo Center during the October 15–25 State Fair at the Raleigh fairgrounds.

Official release

Source material from North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. The wording below is the issuer’s statement.

The pumpkins and the watermelons had their BIG day at the fair in Tuesday’s giant pumpkin and watermelon competition. The winning entries will be on display in the Agri Supply Expo Center for fairgoers to see and photograph at the N.C. State Fair, Oct. 15-25.

Tuesday’s weigh-in included the special competition sanctioned by The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth and hosted by the N.C. State Fair. The competition is open to competitors from other states.

“The giant pumpkin and watermelons are a must visit on your trip to the Fair,” said Kent Yelverton, fair director. “These giants will be photographed thousands of times during the fair’s 11-day run. We appreciate the growers that put the time and effort into growing these giants and showcasing them at our fair.”

This year, Albert Rodebaugh of Craigsville, W.Va. placed first with a 2,123-pound pumpkin. Rodebaugh also received the Howard Dill Award for the best-looking pumpkin of the competition. David and Gwen Harris of Blacksburg set a Virginia state record and placed second with a 1,861.8-pound pumpkin. Father-daughter duo Chris and Stella Rodebaugh of Lewisburg, W.Va. placed third with a 1,422-pound pumpkin.

In the North Carolina-only competition the winning pumpkin was grown by James Cain of King and weighed 585.4 pounds.

The watermelon competition also saw many impressive entries including first-and-second-place winners from North Carolina. Todd Dawson of Garner placed first at 281.6 pounds. Andrew Vial was the second-place winner with a 257.8-pound pumpkin. Christopher Kent of Sevierville, Tenn. placed third with a 251.6-pound watermelon.

The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth is an international organization that promotes growing giant vegetables. The top three winners in pumpkins take home between $1.50 and $3 per pound. The top three winners in watermelons are awarded between $3 and $6 per pound.

The 2026 N.C. State Fair will run Oct. 15-25 at the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh. The fair offers an experience unique to North Carolina for all who attend, and is an unparalleled value with free entertainment, thrilling rides and games, thousands of animals, endless family activities, competitions, vendors and creative deep-fried delights. For more information, visit www.ncstatefair.org.

Release text attributed to North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services. Consult the official publication for any subsequent corrections or updates.