HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (AP) — A Rhode Island pumpkin grower, Ron Wallace, appears to have set a new world record for the heaviest pumpkin, surpassing the previous record by nearly 300 pounds (136 kilograms). This significant achievement occurred during a pumpkin weigh-off contest on Saturday in New England, although Wallace is currently awaiting confirmation from the Guinness Book of World Records.
The existing record, held by Ian Paton of Lymington, England, was set just a week earlier on October 3, with a weight of 2,857 pounds (1,296 kilograms). Wallace stated he has been in touch with Guinness officials who indicated that his record is on a path to verification. Expressing his enthusiasm for his pumpkin’s weight, Wallace described it as "truly massive" and expressed his pleasure in growing it.
In addition to potentially breaking the world record, Wallace claimed a prize of $3,500 in his local contest. Despite being offered larger prize pots at other competitions—some reaching up to $70,000—he prioritized being in his local community for this milestone. "I was just ecstatic, the place just exploded," Wallace recounted, reflecting on the moment of the weigh-in.
Wallace attributes his success to the collaborative spirit of the pumpkin-growing community, which willingly shares insights and tips for cultivating giant squashes. This year marked a first for him as he began growing his pumpkins in a greenhouse, a decision he believes contributed significantly to his record-setting achievement. "The only way you create a 3,000-pound pumpkin is a community working together," he remarked, underscoring the importance of collective knowledge in the pumpkin-growing arena.
Wallace's journey into pumpkin growing began after launching his own online gardening supplies business. He expressed pride in being part of the pumpkin-growing community, highlighting how competitive events also serve to legitimize growers in the eyes of the agricultural industry. He noted an increasing interest from agricultural professionals seeking advice on soil management and other growing techniques.
Meanwhile, the annual California pumpkin weigh-off is now in its sixth decade, and it continues to attract growers from around the country. In Northern California during this year's competition, a pumpkin named Rocky secured the title with a weight of 2,389 pounds (1,083 kilograms), although it fell short of the world record. Horticulture teacher Travis Gienger brought Rocky from Minnesota, achieving victory for the fifth consecutive time and earning $21,501 in prize money, despite facing earlier setbacks in the growing season.
Gienger's dedication is notable, as he and his family traveled 35 hours to bring the pumpkin to California. Drawing inspiration from the iconic boxer, he named this year's winning pumpkin Rocky, signifying his intention to return to the competition after a broken pumpkin derailed his efforts last year. "Five-time champion, that’s what we came here to do," Gienger stated proudly after his victory.
To achieve greater success, Gienger acknowledges the need for climate control in growing environments, citing challenges posed by harsh weather conditions, including temperatures that dipped below freezing this season. "The fact that Travis can weather the elements, like 30-degree weather, and still grow this massive pumpkin is pretty unbelievable," commented Ronan Fowler, the competition's organizer.
The 53rd World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off attracted hundreds of attendees, who gathered to enjoy food trucks, live music, and light-hearted, pumpkin-themed entertainment. The day's festivities also included the "prettiest pumpkin" contest, which was won by a very symmetrical pumpkin named Tinkerbell. The event featured prize money calculated at $9 per pound, showcasing the impressive scale of Gienger’s victory pumpkin, which will be featured in a parade through Half Moon Bay that weekend. Notably, the competition's heavyweights are cultivated for their size rather than their flavor, meaning no giant pumpkin pies emerged from this year's festival.
