Anchorage farmer breaks Alaska State Fair pumpkin record

PALMER — Dale Marshall broke his own record Tuesday afternoon. And as an added bonus, Marshall set a new state mark.

The Anchorage farmer boasted a pumpkin weighing in a 1,471.5 pounds during the annual Alaska State Fair Great Pumpkin Weigh-off. It’s an annual tradition that stemmed from the state fair’s cabbage competition. Both have roots deeply planted in an age-old tradition that stared when the Alaska: showing off a big and bountiful harvest.

“It’s vine management,” Marshall said.

Event emcee, Mardy Robb wanted to emphasis how difficult growing these giant vegetables is, saying that a lot of work goes into each crop. For instance, when growing giant pumpkins, it’s important to keep an eye on the stem, making sure it doesn’t snap under the gourd’s pressure.

“It’s a real science,” Robb said.

The 2017 winner was North Pole’s Dave Iles, whose pumpkin, named ‘Jeepers Keeper,’ weighed 1,231.5 pounds. Although his pumpkin didn’t set a new record, it did beat record-holder, Marshall’s entries that last year. Iles hovered over every contestant’s pumpkin, talking and helping where he could. The entrants joked with each other throughout the competition.

“There’s a great camaraderie between the growers. This means a lot. But, they’re having fun with it too,” Robb said.

The 2018 Winners received more than $1,700 worth in cash prizes. Marshall received $1,050 for first place plus an additional $50 for breaking his previous mold.

“It helps make the trip worth it doesn’t it?” Robb said to the crowd.

The Pumpkin Fairies, also known as the Cabbage Fairies, circled around several pumpkins before they were weighed, for that extra luck and “fairy magic.”

“I love all of this here. They’re going to keep getting bigger,” Kathy Liska, Crop Superintendant for the state fair said.

She’s been in the crop department for 23 years. This is the 13th straight Pumpkin Weigh off. The pumpkins outgrew their place in sub-competition due to the overwhelming popularity, according to Liska.

“These horticulturalists, they’re gonna’ keep getting better and better,” she said.

The Fairies will be back in green instead of orange to cheer on the contestants entered in the annual and now iconic Cabbage Weigh Off this Friday at 7 p.m. Over $2,000 dollars will be spread amongst this year’s winners.

“Everything is going to be big at the fair. Come back and see bigger stuff,” Robb said.