Minnesota Man’s Massive Pumpkin Wins World Title

The pumpkin king? The GOAT? The pumpkin master? A Gourd God? Whatever you want to call him, one thing's for sure - he’s nothing short of impressive.

For the fourth time, Minnesota's very own champion grower has clinched the coveted World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off title.

Ever wonder what it takes to conquer the world of pumpkin weigh-offs? Just how massive does a pumpkin need to be, and what kind of prizes do these champions walk away with? The answers might surprise you.

Every year, the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in California draws quite the crowd, with spectators flocking to witness the largest pumpkins from across the country. It’s a jaw-dropping spectacle, with some of these massive gourds tipping the scales at over 2,000 pounds!

Also See: Why You Should Never Paint Your Pumpkin for Halloween in Minnesota.

Travis Gienger from Anoka traveled 35 hours, carefully, I might add. As a cracked pumpkin is a disqualified pumpkin. His trip was well worth it! He was crowned the champ for the 4th time in 5 years.

Last year, his pumpkin, named Michael Jordan, set a world record weighing in at 2,749 pounds according KSTP. This year, he narrowly edged out the competition by just 6 pounds, with his 2024 pumpkin, Rudy, tipping the scales at 2,471 pounds.

So, what does Travis take home for winning THE pumpkin championship title? According KSTP, he gets a legit championship ring, a jacket, AND $9/pound for his pumpkin. That means he is just over $22,000 richer today.

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Apparently, he also sells the seeds. Just one seed can earn him up to $350. WOW! Check out the fantastic video of Travis prepping for this year's contest below.

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