The Lewis County Extension Office was asked what programs they could do to encourage people to come to the Lewis County Farmers Market.  The idea of having a 4-H pumpkin contest was one of the programs developed.   The Pumpkin Contest would be held during the Fall Harvest Festival at the Farmer’s Market and sponsored by the Vegetable Growers.  This year the Best Painted Pumpkin Contest and the Best Decorated Pumpkin Contest were held.   This program has been done for several years so this year to encourage more youth to participate two things were done:   A category was added to include youth that were 7 and 8 years old and prizes were increased to $50.00 for first place, $30.00 for second place, and $20.00 for third place.  Sponsorship for the prizes was secured and the contest was promoted through flyers passed out at school, the 4-H Facebook page, the local newspaper, and through community clubs.

The day of the program there were 69 entries in the contests and over 100 youth and parents were at the Farmers Market.  The significance of the program is that it gives youth and teens the opportunity to be creative and to share their art with others in the community.  The goal to attract people to the Farmers Market was achieved and youth were able to express themselves through art.