People will need to play the long game when it comes go a new contest by the Greater Vancouver Zoo.

The animal park is organizing a pumpkin growing contest.

"Some specifics of the pumpkin growing contest are tentative, but because it takes so long to grow big pumpkins, we are just getting the word out now," marketing manager Michael Jacobsen explained.

The contest will wrap up with weighing and prizes for different categories around Halloween.

"We will definitely award someone for heaviest pumpkin. We will also probably have a guest favourite category and another special award," he said.

There may also be some pumpkin carving activities as well.

Those interested in taking part have to start the growing process early, often indoors.

"Winners will be more than welcome to donate their pumpkin for enrichment purposes for the animals here at the zoo, but they will also reserve the right to keep their pumpkin and bring it to other contests," he added.

Larger pumpkins could be offered to the rhino and hippos while smaller ones could be given to the lions or grizzly bears.

Jacobsen added that more information on the contest will be provided closer to Halloween.