A horticulture teacher from Minnesota grew a giant pumpkin weighing a whopping 2,749 pounds to set a new world record at the 50th Annual World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California on October 9, 2023.
Travis Gienger of Anoka, Minnesota took home the top prize at the pumpkin weigh-off with his massive, lumpy orange gourd that could make over 600 pies! The enormous pumpkin beat the previous world record of 2,702 pounds set last year by a grower in Italy, according to Guinness World Records.
Gienger, who has been growing pumpkins for nearly 30 years, gave his pumpkin patch some extra care this year by watering his plants up to 12 times a day and using a bit more fertilizer. His hard work growing giants paid off with this record-shattering pumpkin.
When his pumpkin hit the scales at 2,749 pounds, Gienger was stunned. “I was not expecting that. It was quite the feeling,” he said. He also won the weigh-off in 2020 and 2021, so he’s no stranger to success in Half Moon Bay’s annual competition.
For winning this year’s contest, Gienger took home a $30,000 cash prize. His world record holder pumpkin will stay on display at the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival through next weekend. Visitors can take photos with the proud pumpkin grower and his enormous claim-to-fame gourd.
Gienger seems motivated mostly by joy in the pumpkin growing hobby rather than prizes. “I put in the work so that I can put a smile on people’s faces and it’s just so nice coming out here to see everyone in this town,” he said.
The horticulture teacher started growing pumpkins as a teenager, inspired by his father who was also a giant pumpkin grower. He brings his enthusiasm into the classroom, sharing his love of horticulture with students.
Gienger’s world record caps off the 50th Annual Half Moon Bay pumpkin festival. The weigh-off has delighted both growers and fans for decades, featuring some of the biggest pumpkins you’ll ever see. This year takes the cake, or rather pumpkin pie, with a new heavyweight champion from Gienger’s patch.