PALMER — The giant pumpkin competition at the Alaska State Fair in Palmer produced another record-setting showdown this week, with longtime grower Dale Marshall once again taking the top prize.

Marshall’s winning pumpkin tipped the scales at 1,820 pounds, easily claiming first place at the annual weigh-off. He also entered a second pumpkin weighing 1,746 pounds, but under competition rules, only one entry could qualify.

That left the door open for Ron Passarella, whose 71-pound pumpkin secured second place.

Marshall is no stranger to the winner’s circle. In 2022, he set the Alaska record for the heaviest pumpkin ever grown in the state, a massive gourd weighing 2,147 pounds.

Growing pumpkins in Alaska’s short, challenging growing season is no easy feat, making each successful entry a v

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