Weighing in at 1,658 pounds, Don Young’s pumpkin, “Monster from the Midway,” earned the title of Champion Mega-Pumpkin at last year’s Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off.
On Monday, between 60 and 80 gourd growers hoping to take that title away from him will lug their gargantuan pumpkins to this year’s weigh-off in Half Moon Bay.
“This is considered to be the Super Bowl of pumpkin weigh-offs,” event spokesman Tim Beeman said. “We are expecting a lot of big pumpkins this year.”
The winning pumpkin will receive $6 per pound; Young brought in close to $10,000 last year just on weight alone. This year’s winner and 200 of their friends will earn a private screening of the new 3-D animated comedy “Megamind,” which is one of the 2010 Weigh-Off sponsors.
As an added incentive this year, any grower who breaks the 1,725-pound world record — currently held by Christy Harp of Jackson Township, Ohio — will get a special $5,000 bonus mega-prize.
The Weigh-Off Champion Mega-Pumpkin and the top five pumpkins overall will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival on Oct. 16-17.
Those unable to make it to Half Moon Bay can still be part of the action this year by following the Weigh-Off on Twitter. People can access regular updates on results and event information, see photos and participate in contests.
IF YOU GO
When: 7 to 11 a.m. Monday
Where: IDES Grounds, 735 Main St., Half Moon Bay
Contact: (650) 726-3491, www.miramarevents.com/weighoff
shaughey@sfexaminer.com
