The Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Challenge

With Halloween not far away, HALF MOON BAY organizers (California pumpkin weigh-off championship) said a $25,000 prize will go to the person who grows the world's first 1-ton pumpkin.

The winning pumpkin at the Half Moon Bay, Calif., competition must break the 2,000-pound threshold and be the heaviest pumpkin weighed in at the October 8 weigh in.

The world record for heaviest-recorded pumpkin is 1,818.5 pounds, grown by Jim and Kelsey Bryson, of Wellington, Ontario.

(photo above)

"It's only a matter of time before someone grows the first one-ton pumpkin, and it would be incredibly exciting to have that monumental landmark established right here," said Cameron Palmer, chairman of Half Moon Bay's Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. "With Half Moon Bay's proud tradition and legacy, it would not only be fitting but also a tremendous honor for our weigh-off."

New Pumpkin Record at Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Weigh-Off

We told you about the Pumpkin festival at Half Moon Bay, and now we are pleased to announce the big winner for the biggest pumpkin.

Pumpkin grower Leonardo Urena set a new California State record with his 1,704-pound Atlantic Giant that won the 38th Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California.

Half Moon Bay saw ,two of the three biggest pumpkins in the world this year. Brant Bordsen of Marysville, CA was the runner-up at Half Moon Bay with a 1,693-pound beast.

Urena, 43, a landscaper for a Napa winery won the top prize of $11,224 ($6 per pound plus another $1,000 special prize for the biggest pumpkin from California).

Urena said it was the perfect soil, good seed from one of his previous behemoths (a 991-pounder), and the love and support of his family for his impressive victory.

The Half Moon Bay win also crowned Urena "Grower of the Year" honors from the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC) for his Top 3 pumpkins total weight of 4,948 pounds at three separate weigh-offs, best in GPC history.

2011 WEIGH-OFF RESULTS
1st Leonardo Urena, Napa CA 1,704 lbs. $10,224.
2nd Brant Bordsen, Marysville CA 1,693 lbs. $2,000.
3rd Tim Mathison, Napa CA 1,554 lbs. $1,500.
4th John Hawkley, Napa CA 1,548 lbs. $1,000.
5th Ron Root, Citrus Heights, CA 1,521 lbs. $ 500.
6th Thad Starr, Pleasant Hill OR 1,487 lbs. $ 500.
7th Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill OR 1,292 lbs. $ 500.
8th Robert Globus, Walnut Grove CA 1,273 lbs. $ 500.
9th Jim Sherwood, Mulino OR 1,220 lbs. $ 500.
10th James Martin, Hayward CA 1,097 lbs. $ 500.

Half Moon Bay and the Giant Pumpkin

Here you see Ron Root of Citrus Heights, California, proudly showing off his first place ribbon next to his 1,535 pound Giant Pumpkin.
All this took place during the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California on October 11, 2010.
Ron won more than 10,000 dollars for his colossal pumpkin.