Mayor Lyle Holmgren has kicked off his fourth annual Giant Pumpkin Challenge, encouraging local youth to dig in and grow the biggest pumpkins they can by fall.
Mayor Lyle Holmgren has kicked off his fourth annual Giant Pumpkin Challenge, encouraging local youth to dig in and grow the biggest pumpkins they can by fall.
Spring may just be starting, but Tremonton is already thinking pumpkins. Mayor Lyle Holmgren has kicked off his fourth annual Giant Pumpkin Challenge, encouraging local youth to dig in and grow the biggest pumpkins they can by fall.
Open to all youth 18 and under in Tremonton and surrounding communities, the friendly competition is aimed at getting kids involved in gardening and learning the rewards of patience and hard work. The event culminates in October with a weigh-off at the Farmers Market in Shuman Park.
“This all started when Kathy and I were growing produce,” said Mayor Holmgren. “We got into pumpkins and just thought it would be a fun way to get kids excited about gardening. Some of these pumpkins can grow up to 150 pounds or more!”
Participation is simple: interested youth (with a little help from parents if needed) picked up free pumpkin seeds at the Tremonton Farmers Market on Friday, May 23.
The seeds were provided personally by Holmgren and his wife Kathy — not the city — showing just how passionate they are about the tradition. This year, Holmgren said, about 40 families collected seeds to kick off the challenge.
Throughout the summer, participants will care for their pumpkins, and come October, they’ll bring them back to be weighed and measured. Prizes and community recognition await growers at the final event, scheduled for the first Saturday of October, again at Shuman Park.
“This really is just about fun,” Holmgren said. “Some kids grow massive pumpkins, and others maybe don’t get one that big — but everyone who participates is a winner. They’re learning, growing something themselves and spending time outside. That’s what matters.”
In a town proud of its agricultural roots, the challenge is quickly becoming a seasonal staple.
“We’re excited to watch them grow,” Holmgren added. “It’s always amazing to see what these kids can do.”
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