Minnesota Grower Clinches Pumpkin Weigh-Off Competition For The Fourth Time
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Every October, farmers across the US harvest millions of pumpkins. Some make it to the dinner table in the form of delicious soups or pies. Others get transformed into spooky jack-o'-lanterns. Then there are the select few whose only purpose is to win weigh-off contests. There are numerous such competitions held nationwide. However, the most impressive mega gourds typically end up at the annual "Super Bowl" of pumpkin weigh-offs in Half Moon Bay, CA.
The competition, which marked its 52nd year on October 14, 2024, has always been popular among master pumpkin growers. However, it has become even more so since 2015, when the prize money for the ten heaviest pumpkins was raised to $9 per pound. Safeway, the contest's sponsor, also increased the maximum prize to $30,000.
To win this “World Record Prize,” competitors must present a “World Record Pumpkin.” In 2024, this meant beating the 2023 winner and current world record holder: a 2,749-pound (1,246 kg) pumpkin named "Michael Jordan." It was grown by Travis Gienger, a horticulture teacher from Anoka, Minnesota.
This year, Gienger's entry, named "Rudy," weighed a "mere" 2,471 pounds (1,120 kg). But it was heavy enough to win him the competition for the third consecutive year and fourth time overall. In addition to a cash prize of $22,239, Gienger also received the Pumpkin King Champions Ring and two nights at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Half Moon Bay.
Second-prize winner Brandon Dawson from Santa Rosa, CA, received $3,000 for his 2,465-pound (1,118 kg) beauty. He took home an additional $1,000 for submitting the largest pumpkin from California. The third and fourth-place winners received $2,500 and $1,000 for their gourds. Both pumpkins weighed over 2,000 pounds (907 kg).
The four winning pumpkins were displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 19 and 20, 2024. Gienger then took Rudy to Southern California, where it was transformed into a spectacular 3D carving for a Halloween event.
Resources: weighoff.miramarevents.com, CBSnews.com, SFgate.com
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31 Comments
fcb3762 daysI think there were scientists that used genetic thingies to make it huge. I bet there are chemicals in it that aren't good for you.
factslover3 daystell us your secrets!!!!! how do you do that
sofiamichalski4 daysI wonder how much pumpkin pie could be made from that!?
hthn4510 daysOmg that is humungus! no way that pumpkin could reach to about 2400!!!!😎😎😎
ava_greenlover11 daysu can bake those seeds and eat them, they will have snacks for a long time
4evathebest4 daysRight, I wonder how big the pumpkin seeds are
skyzza2 daysthe seeds are probably normal sized but they would just have a LOT more
hree013 daysthat is one big pumpkin
happyducks16 dayshow do pumpkins get that big tho
ninjanumber164913 daysseriously, what do they put on those things to make them so big.
gamergeek17 daysI wonder if its good eating?!- feberativera17 dayshow did they get it so big?
iceyqueen18 daysI had a pumpkin plant before, and it was so small...
