Napa sweeps Pumpkin Weigh-Off : At 1,985 pounds, gargantuan gourd takes top prize in Half Moon Bay

The second and third prize pumpkins also came from Napa County.

With only two pumpkins to go in the competition, Miller said the odds were 50-50 that he’d win.

Miller’s grandchildren joined him on the stage after he won. A photo of his young grandson with the champion pumpkin landed on the Internet and prompted someone to say that the pumpkin was so large it probably ate his grandson’s twin sister. Others worked to try to figure out the pumpkin’s origin.

The current world record heaviest pumpkin weighed at 2,032 pounds. The new record was set this past Saturday at a weigh-off in Morgan Hill.

So how do they all do it?

Eda Muller, wife of Half Moon Bay Vice Mayor “Farmer” John Muller, grew a 1,104-pound pumpkin this year, beating her husband’s pumpkin.

“It’s the seed, location and soil,” Eda said. “It can get a disease at the drop of a hat. It’s hard work and takes friends who can help you with different services.”

For the past 31 years, local musician Jim Stevens played his Americana music at the weigh-off.

“I just wonder how they get them into the truck,” Stevens said. “Lots and lots of friends.”

Mayor Rick Kowalczyk turned out for the festivities as well, noting that the day was another great reason to be in Half Moon Bay.

The second and third place winners were also from Wine Country. Napa’s Tim Mathison came away with the second place prize with his 1,894-pound pumpkin. He was the world record setter this past weekend at the 23rd annual Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Morgan Hill, but pumpkins that won prizes in any other weigh-off competitions are not eligible in the Half Moon Bay competition. Third place went to Leonardo Urena, also of Napa.

There are certain rules participants must follow, including bringing in specimens that are healthy and undamaged, free of rot, holes and cracks through the cavity, chemical residue and soft spots. To be classified a pumpkin, the specimen must be 75 percent yellow and, or, orange.

The first place winner is paid $6 per pound of the pumpkin, while second place gets $2,000, third place receives $1,500, fourth place gets $1,000 and fifth through 10th places go away with $500 each. A special prize for the most beautiful pumpkin went to Los Altos Hills’ Vince Zunino.

Pleasant Hill, Ore.’s Thad Starr won the grand prize last year with a 1,775-pound pumpkin.

To continue its fall festivities, the city will host an art and pumpkin festival this weekend, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 19 and 20 on Main Street in Half Moon Bay. The top pumpkins will be on display this weekend and there will be entertainment, a parade, haunted house, arts and crafts, costume contests and other activities.

angela@smdailyjournal.com

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