Meet the Winner: HMB Pumpkin Weigh Off Champion

PHOTO: John Hawkley, of Napa, established a new North American record with a Goliath 2,058 pound Atlantic Giant that dominated the 41st Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off on a picture-perfect morning in this west coast pumpkin mecca. The grand champion mega-gourd, along with the top five pumpkins from the weigh-off, will be on display at the world-famous HalfMoon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 18-19 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. CREDIT: Miramar Events

The following was submitted for publication on behalf of the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival:

It was a momentous reckoning day in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay.

The smashing winner was grower John Hawkley, 56, from Napa CA, an accomplished contender on the worldwide weigh-off circuit, who established a new North American record with a Goliath 2,058 pound Atlantic Giant that dominated Monday’s 41st Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off on a picture-perfect morning in this west coast pumpkin mecca.

Hawkley’s leviathan gourd is the third heaviest pumpkin worldwide in 2014.

This was Hawkley’s first win at Half Moon Bay, considered the Super Bowl of Weigh-Off events.

“I still can’t believe it. “Competition growers all over the world understand the stature and historical significance of Half Moon Bay and to win here is incredible,“ he said.

Hawkley dominated the formidable field of veteran growers to take home home $12,348 ($6 per pound), a bonus $1,000 for Biggest Pumpkin from California, plus Half Moon Bay’s coveted “Mel Mello Sr. Grand Champion Green Jacket” and a “starring role” in this weekend’s Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival where his gargantuan gourd will be on display along with the top five overall from the weigh-off.

Rob Globus of Walnut Grove CA was second with a 1,740 pounder and won $2,000. Defending Half Moon Bay Champion Gary Miller of Napa CA was third with a 1,393 pounder and received $1,500.

George Armanino of Pescadero CA won Biggest Coastside Pumpkin with an 811 pounder and received $500.

The audience-judged Most Beautiful Pumpkin award went to Eric Carlson of Portola Valley CA. He won $500.

Hawkley’s grand champion mega-gourd will be proudly displayed at the world-famous Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, this weekend (Oct. 18-19 –– Saturday and Sunday) from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street in Half Moon Bay, California.