Sumner Man Sets New Record With Massive 1-Ton Pumpkin

HALF MOON BAY, CA — It's official. There's a new American record-holding pumpkin king, thanks to the "gorgeous and gargantuan 2,363-pound mega-gourd" he brought to the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay. Competition representatives say the prize-winning pumpkin makes for the second heaviest ever grown worldwide.

And while Joel Holland used to spend his days fighting fires, the Sumner, Washington resident now has a new feather to put in his retired fire helmet after Monday's mammoth weigh-in. He is now a 7-time winner at the Half Moon Bay event and took home $7 per pound for his gourd — $16,541 in total.

Holland was also awarded the coveted "Mel Mello Sr. Grand Champion Green Jacket." His prized pumpkin will be on display at this weekend's Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, along with the top four overall winners from the weigh-off.

The second heaviest pumpkin was also brought to the event by a Washington resident. Cindy Tobeck of Olympia, who was last year's champion, fell from the top place when hers weighed in at just 2,002 pounds. She won $2,000 for her pumpkin.

Rounding out the top three, yet another Washington resident (must be something in the water!) claimed bronze with a 1,927 pounder and received $1,500.

Three Half Moon Bay locals made the top 20, winning $100 each: 12th place went to 'Farmer John' for a 695 pound pumpkin, 15th place went to Eda Muller for a 547 pumpkin and 20th place went to John Szabo for a 208 pound pumpkin.

George Armanino of Pescadero won 'Biggest Coastside' pumpkin at 881 pounds, while Art Martinez of Fremont had the 'Most Beautiful' pumpkin at the event. Both won $500.

You can check out the top four biggest pumpkins at the world-famous Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival this Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street in Half Moon Bay.

Photos by Bradley Wittke, Miramar Events