A pumpkin weighing 1246 kg set a new world record (11 photos)

A landscape design and horticulture teacher from the US state of Minnesota broke a world record by growing a giant pumpkin weighing 1246 kg. The 50th Pumpkin Weigh-In Championship was traditionally held in Half Moon Bay, California. Travis Ginger named the fruit after basketball player Michael Jordan.





Travis Ginger of Anoka, Minnesota reacts to winning the 50th Annual World Pumpkin Weigh-In in Half Moon Bay, California, Monday, October 9, 2023



Jinger holds her two-year-old daughter Lily and poses next to "Michael Jordan"

"I didn't expect it. It's very nice," said Ginger, 43, who has been growing pumpkins for about 30 years and set a new U.S. record last year.

The previous world record for growing the heaviest pumpkin belongs to an Italian, who grew a fruit weighing 1,226 kg in 2021, according to the Guinness Book of Records.





Four championship finalists

The winner said he gave his vegetables extra care this year by watering them up to 12 times a day and fertilizing them a little more often than usual.



Travis Ginger lifts his daughter off a pumpkin before the weigh-in at the 50th Annual World Pumpkin Weigh-In Championships

The landscaping and horticulture teacher at Anoka Technical College has been growing pumpkins since he was a teenager, just like his father.

He first competed in Half Moon Bay's annual pumpkin weigh-in in 2020 and has won three of the last four competitions.



Brooks Taner lifts his 6-year-old daughter Sevillene to get a closer look at the pumpkin before the weigh-in.

"I work to put a smile on people's faces and I just love coming here and seeing the people of this town," Travis said.



Brian Werner, right, from Gridley, California, talks about his pumpkin.

The champion received a prize of $30,000.



Pumpkin display before weigh-in



Transportation of "participants" of the competition

"Michael Jordan" along with the three finalists will be on display in Half Moon Bay until next weekend, where city festival-goers will be able to take photos with them.



Travis Ginger of Anoka, Minnesota, holds his 2-year-old daughter Lily and poses after winning the 50th Annual World Pumpkin Weigh-In.



Michael Jordan pumpkin being lifted to be weighed



Ginger's reaction to winning the 50th Annual World Weigh-In Championships