They've spent months preparing for what will be a fierce and closely fought battle. They've researched their methods and nurtured their prized entries.
Come this Sunday, the winner will be crowned. Will MPs Tim Macindoe and Sue Moroney take out the top spot?
Or will it be Hamilton City councillors Dave Macpherson and Angela O'Leary who get bragging rights? It might be a game of two halves, but the winner on the day will certainly be pumpkins.
Tim and Sue have put aside political differences to form Team Central. They will go head to head with Dave and Angela's Team Local in the Great Pumpkin Carnival at Hamilton Gardens this Sunday. Each team has spent months nurturing their giant pumpkins.
Angela and Dave have devoted plenty of time to planning how best to nurture their pumpkins. Angela's pumpkin, named Edward the Second, has been pampered from the start. Angela appointed herself Edward's spiritual adviser and Dave has been his nutritionist, which has seen him research the finer points of the best thing to feed a growing pumpkin. Animal poo, basically. And plenty of it.
The annual Great Pumpkin Carnival is a fun day out for the whole family. Organiser Jenny Rowden said last year there were two pumpkins in the over 200kg category and the year before a 460kg monolith arrived all the way from Whangarei.
While the heaviest pumpkin over 200kg category may be the most impressive, there are plenty of other categories to marvel at including heaviest under 200kg, best mini pumpkin, oddest shaped pumpkin, most perfect, best carved and best pumpkin creation. There are classes for those 12 and under, schools, retirees and open division.
There are also cooking competitions: best pumpkin pie, pumpkin scones/muffins and pumpkin cake.
There will be the adult version of an egg and spoon race - the spade and pumpkin race - and the very messy downhill roll. There will be entertainment for kids and food stalls.
The carnival will be held on the Rhododendron Lawn, gate two, Hamilton Gardens, from 10am till 3pm.