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Will There Be a New Heavyweight Pumpkin Champ?

Kelly Marshall

2014WinnerJohnHawkley-2-300dpiContestants have gathered for the 42nd Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in the world pumpkin capital of Half Moon Bay, CA.  The search for a heavyweight champ to break the world record kicks-off the Art & Pumpkin Festival October 17-18.  The prize for such a pumpkin is $30,000.

To receive the $30,000 world record prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. If two or more growers happen to break the world record at Half Moon Bay, the prize money would go to the grower of the heaviest pumpkin. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323-pounds grown by Swiss grower Beni Meier and set at at weigh-off in Germany in 2014.

Pictured here is last year’s superstar, John Hawkley and his 2,058 pound champion.  This gourd set a new North American record at the 2014 Safeway World Champion Pumpkin Weigh-Off and Hawkley is expected to return to defend his title.

California’s drought is expected to play a role in the competition, since water plays a big role in growing these giants.

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