California Engineer Blows Competition Out Of The Pumpkin Patch With Gourd Weighing Over 2,000 Pounds

My gourd, that’s a huge pumpkin.

October 13th saw the 52nd Safeway annual pumpkin weigh-off, with growers and enthusiasts alike frothing with excitement at the monstrous gourds people would lug onto the scales. One particular pumpkin, grown by manufacturing engineer Brandon Dawson, of Santa Rosa, California, absolutely stormed the pumpkin competition.

• His mighty gourd weighed in at a staggering 2,346lbs (1,064kg). That’s around 891th of an average American football field for the US readers.

This record-breaking gourd is one of the heaviest on record. Dawson, despite being an engineer, is also an avid gardener and has been pushing for the championship title for years.

• “My mind is kind of racing because I was in this position last year when I lost by 6lbs,” he said in an interview after the event. Through hard work, attention, and serious watering, he broke the record and took the prize.

Half Moon Bay’s 52nd Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off gave Dawson a prize of $21,114 for his huge gourd.

A Family Pumpkin

However, Brandon Dawson didn’t take all the praise for his massive pumpkin. He was happy to admit that his kids were a help along the way. The two of them sat atop the huge gourd as he threw his hands in the air in celebration. They could easily lounge around on the monstrosity.

• “We like to spend time out in the patch and watch the thing grow,” he said of his two kids. “My four-year-old can now really pay attention to the growing process.” Hopefully, he will inspire them to continue his record-breaking legacy. We may see a generational winning streak.

This year, Brandon took the gourd growing competition by storm, beating the next pumpkin by more than 250 pounds. Whoever steps up next year is going to have a serious challenge on their hands. I don’t know how anyone is even supposed to pick and transport a pumpkin that big.

The current world record for the biggest gourd ever grown is held by two English pumpkin enthusiasts. They have set the bar high with a monster weighing in at 2,819lbs. The two brothers have the world record, but it looks like Brandon might be hot on their heels.