The pumpkins will be plump and the gourds, ginormous.

That’s the hope for the 16th annual Whidbey Island Giant Pumpkin Contest, coming Saturday, Oct. 8 at Coupeville’s HarvestFest.

Every year, growers across the isle bring their giant pumpkins, zucchini and other mutant vegetables to Coupeville to show off their giants and compete for prizes.

The giant pumpkin categories will include not only the biggest (and the biggest grown by a junior), but also the “prettiest” and “ugliest” pumpkins, as chosen by the crowd. The competition also includes the biggest zucchini.

As in the past, special prizes may also be awarded, so any entrant has a chance to win.

Contest officials note that, given the challenging growing conditions this year for pumpkins, they may not be giants. Even so, organizers are encouraging growers to compete, and any other growers of giant vegetables to show off their mutants at the demonstration table.

Growers are asked to arrive at the farmers market by 11 a.m.

There is no fee to compete. For information, contact Lee Roof at 360-675-5687.