Specific Judging Criteria
Atlantic Giant Pumpkin and Squash
1. Cucurbita Maxima are the variety of giant pumpkin and squash grown for weight.
2. Vines must be trimmed within one inch of the stem of the fruit
3. The specimen must be sound, healthy, and undamaged.
a. Entries must be free of rot.
b. Entries must be free of holes or cracks into the interior cavity of the fruit.
c. Entries must be free of damaged areas that are greater than 3 inches in
diameter and greater than 3 inches deep. Any single damaged area greater than
3 inches deep will classify the fruit as damaged (DMG). The dimensions of the
damage will be measured after all soft material has been removed with a spoon,
if needed.
d. If there are more than two damaged areas, the pumpkin will be disqualified. If
the damaged spot shows signs of healing as shown in Article II 4C the will
not count towards a damaged spot. Superficial Damage caused by lifting
straps or small fresh rodent damage will not count towards disqualification.
e. Small damaged areas are acceptable if naturally healed over with new rind, also
known as natural scabs or new cantaloping.
f. The GPC does not require site Judges to put any part of their body under
the fruit during inspection.
4. Squash will be classified as follows‐ 100% of the following colors or color combinations:
green, blue, and gray. The surface area of the fruit is grown in the garden, not including
the portion that was in contact with, or close proximity to the ground will be considered.
This area will include the area between the ribs, around the stem, and the blossom end.
This will not include any netting (cantaloping), any discoloration caused by the close
proximity to the ground, or minimal amounts of striping or mottling associated with some
squash. Mottling may appear as white to cream or beige to bronze..
Examination Criterias
1. All entries must be clean and free of foreign substance or chemical residue.
2. All entries must be uncovered and accessible when brought to the offloading or staging
area and then remain uncovered for public viewing.
3. All entries will be visually examined PRIOR to offloading by a judge or designated person
acting under the direction and on behalf of the site coordinator.
4. All entries found to have chemical residue will not be offloaded. This rule pertains to all
classes.
5. If residue is discovered, the grower will be turned away or directed to a wash station.
a. Upon completion of cleaning the grower may return to the offloading or staging location
to be re-inspected prior to offloading.
b. Upon Approval, the entry may then be offloaded, as long as all other site requirements
have been met.
6. If reinspection results in disqualification the grower has the right to call for a judgement
by the full team of site judges and coordinator.
7. When the entries are offloaded, the control shifts to the site coordinator.
8. A more thorough exam will then be performed by the site judges for any disqualifying
factors.
9. No shade coverings for wetting of the entry will be allowed once offloaded.
10. Sites may allow water jugs to stay on until the fruit moves to the scale. However, the
water jugs are to be removed when the stem is cut to meet weigh off requirements.
This checklist should be provided to and understood by all site judges and weigh off
coordinators.