LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky State Fair is underway, and winners are being announced for some of their prominent contests.
Dwight Slone of Floyd County, Kentucky took home top honors in the largest pumpkin contest. His gigantic gourd weighed 1,133-pounds.
Slone has been growing giant pumpkins since 2009.
“It’s my stress reliever,” he said.
Slone said he loves the reaction people give when they see the gigantic wonders they’re driving down the road. He added that pumpkins are often used to help raise money for the animal shelters.
It is his sixth year winning the giant pumpkin contest.
Meade County’s Frank Mudd won first place with a 233.2-pound watermelon.
During a conversation with Kentucky AG commissioner Jonathan Shell, Mudd revealed he has been participating in the contest for 23 years.
“I’ve been real lucky with this hobby. There’s been 31 watermelons that have been raised over 300 pounds and I’ve been lucky enough to get 10 of them,” he said. “It’s all my wife’s fault because she got me started.”
Mudd admits he has never eaten any of his large watermelons, but said he shares the seeds with many all over the world so they could attempt to grow their own.
Slone took home a prize of $1,133 while Slone received $500 for their entries.
It is the 120th year for the Kentucky State Fair.
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