A California engineer, Brandon Dawson, claimed victory at the 52nd World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay with a massive 2,346-pound pumpkin on Monday. The event, held annually in Northern California, saw Dawson triumph with a pumpkin weighing roughly the same as a small sedan or a large bison.
Dawson, who works as a manufacturing engineer at Rivian Automotive, has been cultivating giant pumpkins for five years. He attributes his success to the precision skills he acquired at work, which helped him manage the watering and sunlight needed for optimal growth. “My mind is kind of racing because I was in this position last year when I lost by 6 pounds,” Dawson said in an interview, reflecting on his previous runner-up finish.
The pumpkin grower enjoys involving his children in the process, noting that his 4-year-old daughter can now appreciate the rapid growth of these giant gourds, which can increase by 50 to 70 pounds per day. As a reward for his efforts, Dawson received a $20,000 prize for his winning pumpkin.
Last year, Dawson’s pumpkin was narrowly defeated by a 2,471-pound gourd grown by Minnesota horticulture teacher Travis Gienger. Although Gienger set a world record in 2023 with a 2,749-pound pumpkin, he could not compete this year due to damage to his entry. Recently, two brothers in England broke Gienger’s record with a 2,819-pound pumpkin.
Dawson’s victory marks a significant achievement in his pumpkin-growing journey, showcasing the dedication and skill involved in cultivating these giant gourds.
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