Local News

Great Pumpkin May Show Up After All

Posted Updated

RALEIGH — What looked like it would be a bad year forpumpkins in North Carolina has turned out to be quite the opposite.Judging by the pumpkins available at the State Farmer's Market, the sizeand number of pumpkins would not indicate this past dry summer at all.

Statewide, however, pumpkin prices are expected to be a little highthan last year. Horticulturists estimate there are between 100 and 500pumpkin growers in North Carolina.

Charlie Edwards organizes many special days honoring the fruit of theNorth Carolina plain. He says this is the twelfth annual day of thepumpkin, and it is one many look forward to most, especially the children.

Edwards says the pumpkins come from all over the state.

Not many weeks ago, the season looked dismal for many pumpkingrowers, but Edwards says rain, at just the right time, helped to turn outa fine crop.

Dennis Carswell says he didn't depend on the rain to grow his 372pound prize winner.

All agree that the rewards are sweeter when the labor is greater.

Photographer:Rick Armstrong

Copyright 2024 by Capitol Broadcasting Company. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.