For the first time, the annual Comanche County 4-H Pumpkin Show will be held in conjunction with the Lawton Farmers Market Fall Festival, according to Lexie Hayes, Comanche County 4-H/Youth Development extension educator.

The contest is open to all county 4-H members between the ages of 5 and 18. There will also be an open class for non-members to compete in all categories except for food items. Non-members can either buy a pumpkin from one of the producers or bring one of their own.

The contest will be a little later in the day than usual. Entries will be taken until noon, and judging will begin shortly afterward. Exhibits will be on display until 3 p.m., when all Pumpkin Show entries will be released.

Age divisions, based on age on Jan. 1, 2012, are Cloverbud (5-8), Beginner (9-11), Intermediate (12-14) and Senior (15 and older). Categories include posters (nutritional pumpkin poster, safety pumpkin poster, posters promoting 4-H), decorated pumpkins (painted, carved, decorated, decorate people pumpkins), baked pumpkin dishes (dessert, bread, vegetable dish) and pumpkin patch.

For the pumpkin patch, participants must grow the pumpkin and write a journal about the experience. The largest pumpkin will get special recognition. Other pumpkin patch categories include homemade dessert made from pumpkin patch pumpkin, homemade dessert made from pumpkin patch pumpkin and three classes of uncut/natural pumpkins: Big Max Pumpkin, Jack Be Little Pumpkins (three on a plate) and Jack-o-Lantern Pumpkins (two pumpkins).

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