NE Iowa Growers Set New Fair Record in Biggest Pumpkin Contest

DES MOINES, IA (08/08/2025) (readMedia)-- Pete and Alba Caspers of Peosta set a new State Fair record in the Biggest Pumpkin Contest, judged Friday, August 8, at the 2025 Iowa State Fair.

The duo's pumpkin tipped the scales at 1,409 pounds, breaking the old State Fair record of 1,323 pounds.

Martin Schnicker of Mt. Pleasant claimed second place with a 552-pound pumpkin.

Rusty Caspers of Anamosa earned third place with an entry weighing 465 pounds.

The entry from Lucas, Matthew and Mary Schnicker of Mt. Pleasant was named Prettiest Pumpkin, besting 6 other challengers.

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The Iowa State Fair is one of the oldest and largest agricultural and industrial expositions in the country and the single largest event in the state. The Fair began over 160 years ago and is now considered one of the best events in the nation, attracting more than one million Fairgoers every year from all over the world. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University, just off the interstate and minutes from Downtown Des Moines. Fair Sweet Fair, August 7-17, 2025. For more information, visit www.iowastatefair.org.