Scott Gray, 7, of Credit River Township took third place in the 2008 Minnesota State Fair Giant Pumpkin Contest. The Grainwood Elementary second-grader's pumpkin weighed in at 110 pounds. Scott learned how to grow giant pumpkins from his grandpa, Jerry Gray, who grew a scale-tipping pumpkin of nearly 700 pounds for the fair last year. Jerry gave away about 400 pumpkin seeds to Prior Lake-Savage area school students and presented PowerPoint speeches on how to grow the huge gourds. (Submitted photo)

The South Metro Boys’ Dance Troupe performed the “Neutron Dance,” a tap dance number choreographed by instructor Brad Schaffer, at the Minnesota State Fair’s Leinie Lodge Bandshell last Sunday. The boys took first place in the semi-finals and will compete again in the finals at 8 p.m. at the Grandstand on Sunday, Aug. 31. From left are, Tyler Goldstein, Kevin Kluegel, Zack Fremder, Erik Senst, Andrew Kohagen, Andrew Jensen, Josh Fremder, Joey Weaver and Matt Wiegand. (Submitted photo)

Sophomore Taylor Chapman of Prior Lake practices with the Prior Lake High School cheerleaders Wednesday at Twin Oaks Middle School. The cheerleaders plan to compete in their first-ever competition this year. (Photo by Joanna Miller)

Deon Kissoon of Prior Lake, right, reviews race information with jockey Alberto Pusac at Canterbury Park in Shakopee on Sunday, Aug. 17. Labor Day will be the final day of live racing at Canterbury for the 2008 summer season. Look for an upcoming feature on Deon and Kathy Kissoon’s winning Thoroughbred horses online and in this weekend’s Prior Lake American.  (Photo by Joanna Miller)

Natalie Scanlon, 5 1/2, of Prior Lake checks out deals on toys Thursday at a garage sale on Oak Ridge Circle. Many garage sale signs went up around Prior Lake this week as families cleaned house, or shopped, in preparation for fall. (Photo by Joanna Miller)