The State Farmers Market in Raleigh hosts celebratory days throughout the year to celebrate North Carolina’s various vegetables and fruits. On Thursday, October 6 the pumpkin took center stage as competitors vied for prizes in the 31st annual decorated pumpkin contest.The divisions were divided into age groups and the competition was intense. Using the pumpkin as their palette entrants were required to employ a gourd that was free from decay, bruises, and damage. Judges paced the line looking for use of color, how the artists integrated the pumpkin’s shape into the design, and creative use of paint or other artistic medium within the work.If you weren’t in the mood for fall before you arrived at the contest you were when you left. The decorated pumpkins among the corn stalks and agricultural explosion of the season for sale at the farmers market make it easy to embrace autumn.Congratulations to the winners!8 years and under:1st – Lili King “Rapunzel’s Tower” Raleigh, NC2nd – Cadence Bezgela “Bubblegum Machine” Dunn, NC3rd – Charlotte Ritchie “Elsa Pumpkin” Fuquay Varina, NC4th – Grace Christian Academy (1st grade classes) “Happy Hungry Harvest Caterpillar” Raleigh, NC9 to 15 years:1st – Camille Worthington “Candy Bowl” Cary, NC2nd – Andrew Mullis “Ellie the Elephant” Raleigh, NC3rd – Emma Grace Whitley-Anderson “Gladys the Chicken” Clayton, NC4th – Kaden Fish “Kevin the Minion”Apex, NC16 and over:1st – Betty Triplett “All Natural Pumpkin”Apex, NC2nd – Ericka Worthington “Starbucks Pumpkin Spice Latte”Cary, NC3rd – Hazel”Salad Bowl Pumpkin”Raleigh, NC4th – Tara Bynum “Home w/ Heart-shaped Pumpkin”Garner, NC
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