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The Land of Lincoln likes its watermelon. How many other states have bronze statues of the succulent fruit?





Another 40 or so miles down Route 66, in Springfield, I enjoyed seeing all the beautiful melons, squashes and pumpkins at the Illinois State Fair. Watermelons were well represented. The blue ribbon went to this 74 pound behemoth.



Over in Indianapolis the biggest watermelon at the Indiana State Fair was a measly 58 pounds.



One of the must-sees at the Illinois State Fair is the largest pumpkin. I have to admit I was initially disappointed by this year's winner—less than 300 pounds, not even close to last year's 452 pounder.





But after looking at it a while I realized size isn't everything; this is one beautiful squash. The entire Cucurbitaceae family should be proud to be represented by such a specimen.

The Hoosiers are playing in a different league when it comes to big pumpkins. Even the tenth place pumpkin at the Indiana State Fair was far bigger than Illinois' blue ribbon winner.



You'd think a 1081 pound pumpkin (above) would be assured of victory but this year it was good only for second place. First prize went to this 1106 pound grotesque fruit that barely fits on a standard pallet.



As we were leaving the Indiana Fair we heard the world's largest pig was there but we had no time to seek it out.

jeez that's demoralizing. i've got a couple of pumpkins in my back yard. i'd guess they are about 120 lbs each. i was so proud of them. until now.

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i used to milk cows

Watching TV last night, I learned of this website: http://www.bigpumpkins.com/


Yet again, there is something for everybody on the internet!

Regards,

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Cathy2

"You'll be remembered long after you're dead if you make good gravy, mashed potatoes and biscuits." -- Nathalie Dupree
Facebook, Twitter, Greater Midwest Foodways, Road Food 2012: Podcast

Now THAT would have been one helluva pig roast!

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Fettuccine alfredo is mac and cheese for adults.

Largest Pumpkin, 2011 Illinois State Fair — 251.25 Pounds


Largest Pumpkin, 2011 Iowa State Fair — 1295 Pounds




Even Iowa's 9th place pumpkin was over a hundred pounds heavier than our biggest. I'm almost ashamed to admit I'm from Illinois.

It was a somewhat disappointing year for giant pumpkins at the Iowa State Fair. First place went to this 933 pounder, 362 pounds lighter than last year's winner.



The contest was close though. Only five pounds separated the blue ribbon winner from runner up.

Standing in awe of these great squashes, it's difficult to believe the first thousand-pound pumpkin was grown as recently as the year 2000. Now, only a dozen years later, the one-ton barrier has been broken. Reportedly the same grower has another pumpkin in his patch that may be even larger than that historic 2009-pounder.