'Monster': Pumpkin Weighing 2,471 Pounds Wins Half Moon Bay Contest

HALF MOON BAY, CA — Each year since 2020, Travis Gienger has hauled a gargantuan gourd from Minnesota to California for Half Moon Bay's annual pumpkin weigh-off — and has won every year.

Defending champion Gienger, who is also the current world record holder for pumpkin weight, made the 32-hour journey with his pumpkin "Rudy" and his family to participate in Monday's weigh-off.

Rudy beat out 37 other pumpkins that were weighed.

This weekend brings an opportunity to pose for a photo with Rudy and the rest of the winning pumpkins.

This weekend, the annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, which has become a beloved tradition in the region, will host activities, photo booths, contests and more pumpkin-flavored fun.

Photos with the gargantuan gourd are $20, with proceeds going to local schools, Tim Beeman, spokesman for the festival, told Patch. Families may also take free photos with the second, third and fourth-place pumpkins.

This year, Gienger, 44, carefully transported his winning pumpkin inside a special trailer that he built with cushion and soil to protect the gourd. Gienger waits until the last possible minute to cut the pumpkin off the vine since it begins losing weight as soon as the cut happens, Beeman said.

"It takes a Herculean effort just to lift the thing," Beeman said.

And though Gienger's 2023 winning pumpkin shattered a world record, this year's pumpkin did not beat last year's, which weighed a staggering 2,749 pounds.

Gienger explained that the weather conditions this year were less than ideal, impacting the growth of his pumpkins.

"That actually does play a role—how much rain you get,” Beeman noted. "It was still a monster."

This year's weigh-off pitted pumpkins against each other over more than just weight. The contest also featured a baby-weighing contest and named two winners for the Joe Cotchett's Most Beautiful Pumpkin Award. Splitting the grand prize of $1,000 was Eric Carlson of Portola Valley and Hailey and Patrick Winnen of Half Moon Bay.

Rudy and a slew of other seriously massive pumpkins will be a part of a special display at the festival from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday on historic Main Street, where more than 270 artists and craft-makers will display their works. From blown glass pumpkins to leather wares, the festival promises a massive diversity of artisan creations.

Pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin ale, Monterey sauvignon blanc and more will be available to enjoy as well as a lineup of bands, eating contests, costume competitions and a pick-your-own pumpkin patch. Find a full schedule of events here.