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Will 2026 be the year of the 3,000 pound pumpkin?
The biggest pumpkins on the planet are getting bigger, and the once unimaginable 3,000 pound barrier is suddenly within striking distance.
On Monday, October 12, 2026, the world's elite giant pumpkin growers return to Half Moon Bay for the 53rd Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh Off, the legendary heavyweight championship of gargantuan gourds in the World Pumpkin Capital.
The current official world record now stands at an astounding 2,819 pounds, 4 ounces, set by twin brothers Ian and Stuart Paton in England in 2025. Their enormous pumpkin surpassed the previous 2,749 pound world record set by Travis Gienger at the Half Moon Bay Weigh Off in 2023.
Now the question is irresistible: Who will be the first to break 3,000 pounds?
WORLD RECORDS. BIG MONEY. ENORMOUS PUMPKINS.
Spectators are welcome to watch the drama unfold as colossal Atlantic Giants arrive at the IDES Grounds and are carefully hoisted by forklifts and special harnesses onto a massive 5 ton industrial scale. There's serious money riding on every pound.
The 2026 champion earns an incredible $9 per pound, along with the Pumpkin King Champion Ring, Mel Mello Sr. Grand Champion Growers Jacket and other honors. Thousands more in prize money will be awarded through 20th place, plus $1,000 special prizes for the Biggest California Pumpkin, Biggest Coastside Pumpkin and Joe Cotchett Family Most Beautiful Pumpkin.
And then there's the big one.
If a pumpkin entered in Half Moon Bay breaks and holds the world record at the conclusion of the competition, its grower will receive a $30,000 total mega prize.
FARMER MIKE CELEBRATES 40 YEARS OF PUMPKIN MAGIC
This year's Weigh Off will feature a special appearance by legendary pumpkin carver Farmer Mike, the "Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers," commemorating his incredible 40 years at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival.
Farmer Mike will bring his carving magic to the Weigh Off for a special giant pumpkin carving display, transforming an enormous orange canvas into an intricate work of art ahead of Pumpkin Festival weekend.
THE SUPER BOWL OF PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFFS
What began in 1974 as a friendly challenge between Half Moon Bay, California and Circleville, Ohio has evolved into one of the world's premier giant pumpkin competitions.
Half Moon Bay won that original showdown with a pumpkin weighing just 132 pounds. Today, the giants arriving at the scales can weigh more than 20 times as much.
The Half Moon Bay competition is an officially sanctioned Great Pumpkin Commonwealth site, with weighing and inspection officiated by the GPC and San Mateo County Department of Agriculture Office of Weights and Measures.
GROWERS: THINK YOU HAVE A CONTENDER?
The competition is open to growers of giant competition sized pumpkins, but advance grower registration is required. Each contestant is limited to one entry, and pumpkins must be grown, cared for and entered by the contestant. Entries must also meet official competition requirements for condition and eligibility.
Growers are responsible for delivering their pumpkins to the IDES Grounds by 7 AM Monday, October 12. Participating growers may bring a traveling party of up to four people, including the grower.
Register for the 2026 Weigh Off here: https://weighoff.eventbrite.com/
Registered growers and their traveling parties are also invited to the Very Important Pumpkin Welcome Party at Cameron's Inn & Pub on Sunday, October 11 from 5 to 8 PM, where growers are encouraged to bring their contenders for a special media preview before the big competition.
PLAN YOUR VISIT
Monday, October 12, 2026
7 AM to 2 PM
IDES Grounds
735 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, California
Spectators Welcome
Pumpkin weighing begins around 7 AM and is expected to continue until approximately 11 AM, followed by the awards presentation and growers' luncheon. The competition will also be livestreamed on Facebook.
Event Links
Website: https://go.evvnt.com/3802835-0
