World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Returns Monday To Half Moon Bay

HALF MOON BAY, CA — One of the true signs of fall is on the doorstep with the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off set to return for a 50th year Monday, followed by the 51st annual Art & Pumpkin Festival the following weekend.

All eyes will be on Half Moon Bay where the nation's preeminent gourd-growers will face off to see if anyone can dethrone the 2,702-pound world record holder. Whoever wins the weigh-off will take home $9 for each point, with thousands up for grabs for the growers who crack the top 20.

The beastly gourds are forklifted onto an industrial-strength scale and weigh-ins are overseen by the San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner's Office.

If someone manages to beat the world record — last set in Italy in 2021 — they'll take home $30,000 to accompany international bragging rights. The defending North American record holder is Travis Gienger, whose 2,560-pound pumpkin won last year's weigh-off.

The big winner of this year's weigh-off will be the big star at the Art & Pumpkin Festival that runs Oct. 14 - 15 and receive the inaugural Pumpkin King Champions Ring and Mel Mello Sr. Grand Champion Growers Jacket.

The official weighing is scheduled for Monday, Oct. 9, running from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. The contest will be followed by an awards presentation and luncheon.

Learn more about this year's festivities on the official event website and catch a live stream of all the fun via Facebook.