Seeking the gourd, the big and the ugly

Kate Wilson gathers pumpkins . Photo / Samuel White

South Otago A&P Society member Kate Wilson gathers a pile of pumpkins together for the society's first Giant Pumpkin competition.

On Sunday, Clutha locals will be able to show off their biggest and ugliest pumpkins at the Balclutha Showgrounds. Mrs Wilson wanted to encourage young people to show more interest in the A&P society and its competitions.

She came up with the idea for the autumn vegetable competition because it was ''something absurd''.

''It's quite funny to see a giant pumpkin.''

There will also be a pumpkin pie contest, colouring competition, petting zoo, stalls and a competition for the ugliest fruit or vegetable.