Come visit the Niobrara County Pumpkin Patch!
Families and youth are invited to come out to the Niobrara County Pumpkin Project at the Niobrara County Fairgrounds to pick out a free pumpkin!
From 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., each youth can pick out one of 15 varieties to carve, bake, or decorate their space till the pumpkins are gone.
The pumpkin patch is on the south end of the fairgrounds, near the shooting sports building. Depending on weather, participants may be able to make some bouquets from the Niobrara County cut flower gardens, too!
- October 17, 2026
- 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
- Niobrara County Fairgrounds (South end of the grounds past the shooting sports building)
- Free (One per youth, until they're gone)
What is the Niobrara County Pumpkin Project (NCPP)?
The Niobrara County Pumpkin Project (NCPP) is about much more than growing pumpkins. It is about bringing people together, creating new experiences for families and youth, celebrating agriculture, and finding ways to make our community a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
The pumpkin patch will provide an opportunity for families, friends, neighbors, and visitors to spend time together outside. Seasonal activities and community events can give people a reason to get together, make memories, and enjoy the place they call home.
We hope the Pumpkin Project becomes a place where a child can discover a love of agriculture, where families can make memories, where neighbors can visit with one another, and where someone might see an opportunity to start something of their own.
Get to Know Our Pumpkin Varieties
Pumpkins are nutritious, versatile, and fun to cook with. Different varieties can be used in soups, breads, side dishes, desserts, and many other recipes. Other varieties can serve as seasonal decoration or a fun Halloween activity.
Cooking demonstrations and other activities will help families discover new ways to enjoy a food that can be grown right here in our own community.
Early King
An easy-to-grow, deep orange pumpkin perfect for carving a jack-o-lantern. Most pumpkins are 22-28 pounds.
Batwing
This variety looks as if it was dipped in dark green paint, with unique splits between orange and green skin. They are small, usually about 1 pound or less, but can be a beautiful fall decoration.
Bayhorse Gold
A classic round, uniform pumpkin excellent for carving. Most are about 15-20 pounds in weight with a dark orange color.
Polar Bear
A large white pumpkin, this variety is usually around 30-65 pounds but may grow more than 100 pounds in the right circumstances! Useful for carving or decoration.
Wee-B-Little
A tiny round pumpkin, appropriate for cooking or decoration. They weigh less than a pound!
Jarrahdale
With blueish-gray skin and bright orange, stringless flesh, Jarrahdale is perfect for cooking or decoration. These usually weigh 6-12 pounds, and they can keep all winter before being cooked into a flavorful stew or other pumpkin dish.
Marina Di Chioggia
Another excellent cooking variety, though you may not think so at first glance! Marina Di Chioggia has very bumpy, dark green skin, but its flesh is sweet and stores well. It averages about 10-12 pounds.
Musquee de Provence
This heirloom variety is excellent for cooking, with a sweet, mild flavor. It has deep ribs, a flattened shape, and a rich brownish-orange color. On average, they weigh about 20 pounds. Also known as “Fairy Tale” pumpkins!
Renegade
A reliable, medium-sized pumpkin (14-18 pounds) great for carving. Consistently round and bright orange.
Spicy Mocha
Spicy Mocha pumpkins are light orange, similar to a pumpkin spice latte. Good for carving, the variety usually weighs about 15-20 pounds.
Cinnamon Girl
Bright orange, small variety with a long stem. At about 3-5 pounds, this variety makes a good cooking pumpkin, allowing the discerning cook to process a smaller amount of pumpkin at once.
Hot Chocolate
A small pumpkin with light orange skin and a long handle. Usually around 5-8 pounds. Good for decoration or a smaller carving pumpkin.
Scarface
A large, warty, upright pumpkin! Pumpkins are usually around 15-20 pounds; the bright orange skin is covered in warts that can be orange or dark green. Makes for an interesting decoration.
Spark
The tiniest pumpkin of all! This variety is flattened with ribs that are a darker orange and blotchy lighter yellow skin. Thin stem and interesting look make for a great decoration.
King Arthur Baking Contest
Put your pumpkin to delicious use and join the King Arthur Baking Contest! The contest is open to both youth and adults, with prizes awarded to the top three entries in each division.
Contest Requirements
- Participants must use King Arthur Flour and USF pumpkin in their recipe.
- There are no other recipe requirements, so participants are welcome to get creative with their baked goods.
- Judging begins at 12:00 p.m. on October 17.
- Prizes will be awarded to the top three entries in both the Youth and Adult divisions.
- A People’s Choice winner will also be selected by the public after sampling the baked goods.
- Participants must sign up through the Niobrara County Extension Office.
For more information or to register, contact Kellie Chichester, Community Vitality and Health Extension Educator, at 334-3534 or kelliec@uwyo.edu.
Contact Us
UNIVERSITY OF WYOMING EXTENSION
1000 E. University Ave
Laramie, WY 82071
Dept. 3354
Email: uwe-ct@uwyo.edu
Phone: (307) 766-5124
The University of Wyoming has earned its Research Level 1 (R1) status from the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education, placing Wyoming’s only four-year university in the rarefied air of the top research universities in the United States.
The University of Wyoming is an equal opportunity/affirmative action institution.
© 2026