Your fruit should be clean of soil and any chemicals used in your garden, do not add oil wax or other products to its skin. If you wish you can buff your entrée with a clean rag to improve its appearance. You need to supply a tarp or blanket under smaller entree’s for ease of  lifting. Large pumpkins need to be on a pallet that has lifting holes for a forklift. Most growers put Foam board under the pumpkin. You may put the vine in a container of water to reduce evaporation, before the contest the crew will trim the vine to a proper size for weighing. The stem will count towards the weight but if its damaged or completely missing that will be ok. All rules by the GPC will be followed. This is a fun activity bring family and friends but follow any safety rules in place. We love to see new growers, and we don’t take ourselves to seriously they are pumpkins and everyone loves a pumpkin ,.