Registration opens for state fair’s 18th Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off

PALMER — Although some folks planning to enter the 18th annual Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off at the Alaska State Fair likely started this year’s crop of champions months ago, entry forms for this year’s contest are at last available at alaskastatefair.org.

Registration deadline is at 4:30 p.m., Aug.16. The weigh-off begins at 7 p.m., Aug.30 in Farm Exhibits on the fairgrounds.

In addition to bragging rights, weigh-off winners receive cash prizes ranging from $2,000 for first place to $25 each for 13th through 20th places. There is also the Max Sherrod Junior Cabbage Grower’s Award for contestants ages 12 and younger, with prizes up to $250.

World-record holder Scott Robb said time is running out for people who haven’t planted their entries for this year. Robb said cabbages should be no more than four to six weeks old when put into the ground.

“If you get it out Memorial Day, that gives it plenty of time to mature. You can grow a 90-pounder if you do it right. It’s not easy, but it’s doable,” he says in a press release from the fair.

Robb also suggests using raised bed and soil-warming plastic. He said spring soil temperatures in Alaska are 40 to 50 degrees, but ideal growing temperature for cabbage is 60 degrees.

“That’s the biggest, most important thing you can do,” he said.

See more words of advice from the 2012 weigh-off winner and world record-holder on the fair blog at alaskastatefair.org/blog.

This year the fair also will host the Alaska Midnight Sun Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off from noon to 3 p.m., Aug. 27 on the fairgrounds.

For more information or to arrange a pumpkin entry, contact Kathy Liska at 337-2196 or akliska@aol.com.

For more information on the Giant Cabbage Weigh-Off, visit alaskastatefair.org or contact Pamella Meekin, fair vendor and exhibits manager, at pamella@alaskastatefair.org or 746-7159.