Every year the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with a special display of gigantically enormous heavyweight champion pumpkin. The 47th Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off took place in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California.
This year’s winner drove 35 hours to get to Half Moon Bay to bring his 2,350 pound prized possession to the competition. Travis Geinger set the record for the biggest pumpkin in North America during the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Not only was his pumpkin named after the eccentric Netflix documentary, Tiger King, but it was also Geinger’s first time time competing in the contest.
On their Facebook page, Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off wrote, “Travis Gienger of Anoka, MN is our new champion with a rhinoceros-sized mega gourd he named The Tiger King that rocked the scale at 2,350 lbs — the heaviest pumpkin weighed in North America this year! He takes home a massive smile, an unforgettable memory, and a super hefty $16,450 as the 2020 Pumpkin King of Half Moon Bay! Congrats to Travis!”
This year’s first place monetary prize was awarded by poundage. The first place prize received $7 per pound. The top five prizes included:
- Travis Gienger from Anoka, MN — 2,350 lbs received $16,450
- Steve Daletas from Pleasant Hill, OR — 2,174 lbs received $3,000
- Jose Ceja from Napa, CA — 1,957 lbs received $2,500
- Leonardo Urena from Napa, CA — 1,940 lbs received $2,000
- Jennifer Cardenas from Napa, CA — 1,902 lbs received $1,000
Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the contest had to abide by certain guidelines. This year’s weigh-off did not allowed spectators/the general public to attend the event. However, they were able to livestream the event so the public could join in on the fun.
Growers also had the opportunity to win $30,000 if they could break the world record. However, the current world record pumpkin is 2,624 pounds set on October 9, 2016, by Mathias Willemijns of Belgium at the Giant Pumpkin European Championship in Ludwigsburg, Germany. Since Tiger King did not break that threshold, the money was not awarded this year.
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