Western Kentucky Pumpkin Weighs-In as Winner of the 2025 KY State Fair Contest

Last week, we took Opening Day of the Kentucky State Fair by storm. It's our annual tradition to report back on all of the action from cows to beauty queens and everything in between.

Our first stop each year is always to see the fruits and vegetables. I LOVE the "Funky Fruit" section with the "Critter" art. Keep scrolling for some highlights of our day. One thing we sadly missed was seeing the largest pumpkins in the state. They are a sight to behold! This weekend, they were loaded in, weighed, and a champion was crowned.

The Great Pumpkin Contest is a test of growing skills like none other. Some people have the magic touch. Like Dwight Slone of Floyd County, who is known as "the Johnny Appleseed of Pumpkins." He's won several times through the years. You can read more about that here. 

2025 KY State Fair Largest Pumpkin Weighs 1,621 Pounds!

You'll also notice the name "Josh Monin" as the 2022 winner with his 1,508-pounder. Well, he's done it again, except this time, his punkin' is even bigger! The 64-day-old whopper named "Princess Peach" was officially weighed at 1,621 pounds. Wow! You can watch the whole thing here or fast-forward ahead about an hour and fourteen minutes to catch Josh's big announcement.

Growing Record-Breaking Pumpkins

Josh joined us on the morning show to chat about his humongous hobby. He's been growing since around 2016 and just about has it down to a science. He says this big boy was grown in a greenhouse, so he can have more control of the watering.  would possibly glow in the dark from his special concoction of fertilizer and pesticides, but his system is clearly working.

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Other than a big ole blue ribbon, Josh took home a check for $3,242. That is two dollars for every pound his pumpkin weighs.

The coolest part? This winner is Josh's personal best, and he also has two more still growing on the vine that will probably beat 1,621 pounds! Like other bigguns, it was grown from an Atlantic Giant seed, but there must be something in the water in Grayson County!

2025 Kentucky State Fair Tickets

You still have plenty of time to check out this massive feat of pumpkin-growing prowess in person. Tickets to the Kentucky State Fair are only $10, and there is free entertainment, interesting exhibits, adorable animals, rides, shopping, and delicious food. All Things Kentucky!