Circleville-area residents dreaming of growing a giant pumpkin have a chance to join the fun this year through the Charlie Brown and Snoopy competitions — part of the excitement leading up to the 2025 Circleville Pumpkin Show.
The Charlie Brown competition is open to first-time giant pumpkin growers who live within a 25-mile radius of Circleville. Educational resources, including online guides at how2growags.blogspot.com, OSU’s fact sheet HYG 1646, and YouTube’s Pumpkin Mania, are available to help participants succeed.
For those who entered last year’s Charlie Brown competition but didn’t bring a pumpkin to the 2024 show, there’s still a second chance through the Snoopy competition.
Plants for both competitions are being started from seeds of the 1,015 Crosby 24, the 2024 Pumpkin Show’s Nancy Martin Pretty Pumpkin Award winner. Participants who take their pumpkins to this year’s Pumpkin Show weigh-in will not only compete for the event’s main prizes but also for special cash prizes offered by the local pumpkin growers’ club:
- 1st place: $200
- 2nd place: $150
- 3rd place: $100
Additionally, anyone who joins the club for just $5 will gain access to the summer picnic, a patch tour of selected pumpkin growers, and eligibility for even more prizes.
Plant distribution dates are:
- May 17 at 1:00 p.m. at Rhoads Market, Route 56 East, Circleville
- May 18 at 3:30 p.m. at Ortman’s Greenhouse, 105 Reo Drive, Chillicothe
Throughout the growing season, club members — including longtime grower Dr. Bob Liggett — will be available to assist with any questions. For more information, contact Dr. Liggett at 740-474-3682.
Get ready to grow your own giant pumpkin and be part of Circleville’s most beloved fall tradition!
