Defending champion Travis Gienger from Minnesota triumphed at the 51st annual Safeway World Champion Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, securing the top prize with a massive 2,471-pound pumpkin.
Just 8 pounds shy of his world record from 2023, Gienger’s giant gourd earned him a cash prize of $22,239, which translates to $9 per pound. He credits his success to diligent early care and good soil biology, using a hoop-house tent to kickstart growth in Nowthen, Minnesota.
Beyond the prize money, Gienger will also receive a championship ring and the Mel Mello Sr. Grand Champion Growers Jacket.
The winning pumpkin, along with the top four overall, will be featured at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival this weekend, where visitors can see these giant vegetables up close from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street. Admission to the event is free, offering photo opportunities with the weigh-off champion.
