Giant Pumpkins Arriving In Half Moon Bay Hoping To Take Title Of 'World's Heaviest'
HALF MOON BAY (CBS SF) -- Giant pumpkins are arriving in Half Moon Bay hoping to crush the competition and take the title of world's heaviest pumpkin in Monday's weigh-off.
UPDATE: Napa Man's 2,058 Pound Pumpkin Breaks North America Record During Half Moon Bay Weigh-Off
A $30-thousand prize is on the line if someone's gourd can best the current record holder weighed at 2,102 pounds earlier this month in Switzerland.
A $500 prize will be awarded for the "most beautiful pumpkin" as judged by the audience.
Forklifts and harnesses will be used to hoist the mammoth pumpkins onto a digital scale under the watch of the San Mateo County Agricultural Commissioner's Office of Weights, Sealers, and Measures.
California's drought may affect the competitors this year.
"We have a 30-percent voluntary reduction, so I grew seven plants instead of ten," Santa Rosa competitor Russ Pugh said.
The weigh-in takes place from 7 a.m. to 11 a.m. on the I.D.E.S. Grounds in Half Moon Bay.
Last year, Gary Miller of Napa won the competition with a 1,985-pound pumpkin.
