Full Breakdown
Giant Pumpkins Clash: Half Moon Bay Weigh-Off Highlights Record Attempt and Fifth Win
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
At the 53rd World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California, horticulture teacher Travis Gienger of Anoka, Minnesota, secured first place with his pumpkin “Rocky,” which tipped the scale at 2,389 lb (1,083 kg). The win earned Gienger $21,501 in prize money and a spot in the town’s parade.
Meanwhile, Ron Wallace of Greene, Rhode Island, weighed a pumpkin at a New England contest that measured 3,156 lb (1,432 kg)—nearly 300 lb heavier than the current Guinness-listed record. Wallace is awaiting official verification from the Guinness Book of World Records.
Background & Context
The Half Moon Bay weigh-off, now in its sixth decade, draws growers from across the United States and abroad. The event’s prize structure pays $9 per pound of pumpkin, with an additional $30,000 bonus for any competitor who breaks the world record. The standing Guinness record was set by Ian Paton of Lymington, England, at 2,857 lb (1,296 kg) earlier in the season.
Data & Statistics
| Metric | Figure | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Gienger’s winning pumpkin | 2,389 lb (1,083 kg) | AP/ABC7 |
| Wallace’s unverified pumpkin | 3,156 lb (1,432 kg) | AP/ABC7 |
| Current Guinness record | 2,857 lb (1,296 kg) | AP |
| Prize per pound | $9 | AP/ABC7 |
| Gienger’s total prize | $21,501 | AP/ABC7 |
| Potential record-break bonus | $30,000 | AP/ABC7 |
Official Statements & Responses
Ron Wallace described his achievement as “truly massive” and expressed pleasure in the growing process. He noted that the use of a greenhouse this year contributed significantly to the pumpkin’s size.
He also highlighted Gienger’s resilience in sub-freezing temperatures, suggesting that future competitors may need climate-controlled environments to contend for the record.
Gienger, reflecting on his fifth championship, said his goal was simply to defend his title, acknowledging the logistical challenge of transporting a car-sized pumpkin across the country.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The fact that Travis can weather the elements, like 30-degree weather, and still grow this massive pumpkin is pretty unbelievable,” — Ronan Fowler, said event spokesman
- “It’s truly massive, it was a pleasure to grow,” — Ron Wallace, of Greene, Rhode Island, at a contest in New England
- “I was just ecstatic, the place just exploded,” — Ron Wallace, of Greene, Rhode Island, at a contest in New England
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Guinness officials have not yet confirmed Wallace’s pumpkin as the new world record, leaving a verification gap. The organization’s current listing still cites Paton’s 2,857-lb squash as the official record.
What’s Next
Wallace’s team awaits formal confirmation from Guinness, which will determine whether the 3,156-lb pumpkin replaces the existing record. In Half Moon Bay, Gienger’s pumpkin will be displayed during the upcoming parade, and the event will continue to serve as a platform for growers to test new techniques, including greenhouse cultivation, ahead of next year’s competition.