Cherokee County 4-H is hosting a Youth Pumpkin Painting/Decorating Contest to be judged at the Cherokee County Fair on October 14. The contest entry opens August 31, at 8:00AM and the deadline to enter the contest through Eventbrite is 8:00 PM on October 10, 2023.

1. Contestants must use freshly grown pumpkins or gourds, NO artificial pumpkins or gourds allowed as the main entry.
2. Pumpkins must be a representative of something agricultural (animals, farm equipment, an agricultural scene).
3. Paint, draw, decorate, or attach things to your pumpkin – but no carving. Carved pumpkins attract bugs, rot, and smell. No carved pumpkins will be accepted. Youth may use any medium you want to decorate your pumpkin except carving.
4. Youth can enter as a team but the team will only win one prize and if a younger youth enters with a youth in an older age category the entry will be judged with the older age category.
5. You can add extra stuff to your entry, like a pig pen for a pig pumpkin.

• You must turn in all pumpkin entries on October 14th at the Cherokee County Fair by 11:00AM to the N.C. Cooperative Extension/Cherokee County 4-H Booth. Early entries will be accepted at the same location by 6:00PM on Friday, October 13.

• Make arrangements to pick up entries by 6:00PM, on October 14, at the same location.

• Last day to enter the contest is October 10th through the online registration form on Eventbrite.

• Every entry will receive a 10% off coupon for pumpkins, gourds, or winter squash from Peachtree Produce, in Murphy, good through October 13. (This is why you must include your name, address, and phone number on entry.)

Prizes will be given for each age category. Monetary prizes along with ribbons will be given to 1st through 3rd places (amounts to be determined depending on sponsorships received). A grand champion and reserve champion ribbon will be given to the best of show for ages 8-18.

Thank you to Wilson Building Supply of Murphy, Wendy Henson with EXIT Reality of Murphy, and The Poltrock Team of Murphy for donating to the prizes for the contest.  If your business would like to help sponsor the contest please contact Shannon Coleman.

• 3-4 years old
• 5-7 years old
• 8-12 years old
• 13-14 years old
• 15-18 years old
• Special needs: 19 and Up(Group homes can enter as a team home)