Reigning North American champion pumpkin grower Travis Grienger set a possible world file for the heaviest pumpkin ever on the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California, on Monday.
HALF MOON BAY, Calif. – The world’s largest pumpkin is known as Michael Jordan, was grown in Anoka, Minnesota, and took first place on the fiftieth Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California, on Monday.
The two,749-pound gourd not solely earned grower Travis Gienger a $30,000 first-place prize and bragging rights for a 12 months, it additionally topped the world’s earlier record-holding pumpkin by 47 kilos.
The sizable squash is known as after “the best basketball participant of all time and is now the best pumpkin of all time,” Gienger mentioned.
Gienger planted Michael Jordan on April 10 and spent about $15,000 on the pumpkin’s care and feeding.
He picked it Saturday morning after which put it in a truck for the at-times harrowing journey to California.
“It was fairly sketchy,” Gienger mentioned. “It is a 35-hour drive. You’ve got acquired elk coming out at you, motorcyclists slicing you off, truckers, you’ve got acquired mountains.”
WHAT’S THE PERFECT WEATHER FOR GROWING PUMPKINS?
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Travis Grienger set a possible world file for the heaviest pumpkin ever on the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California, on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.
(Miramar Occasions) -
Travis Grienger set a possible world file for the heaviest pumpkin ever on the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California, on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.
(Miramar Occasions) -
Travis Grienger set a possible world file for the heaviest pumpkin ever on the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California, on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.
(Miramar Occasions) -
Travis Grienger set a possible world file for the heaviest pumpkin ever on the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California, on Monday, Oct. 9, 2023.
(Miramar Occasions)
And whereas Gienger, now a three-time pumpkin champion, knew he had a powerful pumpkin, he did not understand how spectacular till Monday since he by no means weighs his present produce earlier than a contest.
“I do not imagine in that,” he mentioned. “It is gonna be what it is gonna be and I need individuals to get an actual response.”
Michael Jordan, which weighs a bit lower than the common grownup feminine hippopotamus, will now anchor the Half Moon Bay Artwork and Pumpkin Pageant because the centerpiece of a parade on Saturday at midday.
It’s going to even be on show for all to see, together with the highest 4 heaviest pumpkins from the weigh-off, from Oct. 14 to Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to five p.m. on Major Avenue in Half Moon Bay, some 30 miles south of San Francisco.
“It was a spectacular day in Half Moon Bay and it will be a spectacular week that may culminate within the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Pageant,” mentioned occasion organizer Tim Beeman.
As for what the brand new pumpkin king plans to do along with his winnings, Gienger mentioned he plans to reinvest the cash in one other pumpkin-growing mission.
“I am unable to stop now,” he mentioned.
His speedy future, nonetheless, seems to be much less arduous.
“We’re gonna have a growers lunch and we’re gonna have a good time,” Gienger mentioned.
