On Monday, October 9, Travis Gienger broke a world record by growing a 2,749-pound pumpkin. Gienger won a $30,000 prize at the 50th Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, California for his impressive achievement, according to a twitter post.
Defending champion Travis Gienger set a new world record with his 2749-pound monstrous, mind-blowing gourd to dominate today’s 50th Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay CA. He pocketed $30,000. The beast will be the star of this weekend’s Pumpkin Festival pic.twitter.com/fgzVh2BlZh
— Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival (@HMBPumpkinFest) October 9, 2023
As per reports by KTVU, the massive pumpkin, named "Michael Jordan", was grown in Anoka, Minnesota. It surpassed the weight of the previous record-breaking pumpkin by 47 pounds. Gienger, a third-time champion in the realm of heavy pumpkins, cited his success was due to careful nurturing of his pumpkin, which had a price tag around $15,000.
The journey Gienger undertook with his pumpkin to California was filled with obstructions. He went through hurdles such as elk crossings, dealing with aggressive motorcyclists and crossing challenging mountain passes during his 35-hours long drive. However, the pumpkin named "Michael Jordan" arrived intact, ready to wow the spectators.
Abstaining from weighing pumpkins ahead of competitions is a practice Gienger adheres to. Eager to provide an original and surprising reveal to the audience, he refuses to spoil the surprise beforehand, saying, "It's going to be what it's going to be, and I want people to get a real reaction," as reported by KTVU.
It will also be on display for all to see, along with the top four heaviest pumpkins from the weigh-off, from Oct. 14 to Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street in Half Moon Bay, according to KTVU.
As for Gienger's future plans, he plans to wisely invest his $30,000 prize in another pumpkin-growing project. He ended his comments with an assurance, "I can't quit now."
