1,969-Pounder Takes First Prize At Bay Area Pumpkin-Growing Contest
/ CBS Sacramento
HALF MOON BAY, Calif. (AP) - A rippled white whopper weighing in at 1,969 pounds took the title Monday for plumpest pumpkin at an annual San Francisco Bay Area contest.
Growers gathered with their gargantuan offerings to try to break the world record of 2,323 pounds, which was set by a Swiss grower during a competition in Germany last year.
John Hawkley, 2014 champion, waits near his pumpkin during the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)Judges and crew members measure a pumpkin during the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)A young girl sits with giant pumpkins during the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)Shadows of people are cast on a wall near giant pumpkins during the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)Steve Daletas, from Pleasant Hill, Oregon, stands near his 1,969 pound (893 KG) pumpkin that took first place in the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)A square pumpkin is seen at the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)Pumpkin stems are placed in water filled containers the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)Last year's winner John Hawkley waves after his pumpkin weighs in at 1,447 pounds (656KG) during the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)Steve Daletas (L), from Pleasant Hill, Oregon, hugs his mother Jeannette Daletas next to his 1,969 pound (893 KG) pumpkin that took first place in the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)Judges and crew members inspect Steve Daletas' 1,969 pound (893 KG) pumpkin that went on to win the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)A square pumpkin is displayed during the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)Peoples pass by a truck holding large pumpkins as they walk to the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)Judges measure a pumpkin at the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)A pumpkin is hoisted off a truck to be weighed at the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)Judges inspect a giant pumpkin during the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)Punky, a 5-year-old long-haired Chihuahua is seen in his owner's jacket as they attend the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)
But the winning entry at the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-off in Half Moon Bay, south of San Francisco, was no small feat. Steve Daletas of Pleasant Hill, Oregon, won $12,000 for his lumpy, 1,969-pound pumpkin.
"It's been a good year," he said after the contest. "I've never grown an official 1,900-pound pumpkin before."
A young girl sits with giant pumpkins during the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)
Forklifts and special harnesses carefully placed the massive pumpkins on an industrial-strength digital scale with a capacity of 5 tons as officials from the county agricultural commissioner's Office of Weights, Sealers, and Measures kept close watch.
Second place went to Ron and Karen Root of Citrus Heights, California, for their 1,806-pound entry. A $500 prize also was awarded to the "most beautiful" pumpkin based on color, shape and size.
Judges measure a pumpkin at the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)
With California in its fourth year of drought, some said the dry soil deflated their pumpkin-growing dreams.
"No doubt about it," Gary Miller of Napa, the 2013 winner, told Bay Area news station KNTV. He entered a 1,303-pound pumpkin.
Steve Daletas, from Pleasant Hill, Oregon, stands near his 1,969 pound (893 KG) pumpkin that took first place in the 42nd annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California on October 12, 2015. The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is offering a special $30,000 mega-prize for the world record breaking pumpkin at the prestigious Half Moon Bay event. To receive the $30,000 mega-prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the Half Moon Bay weigh-off. The current world record pumpkin is 2,323 pounds (1053.6 KG) set on October 12, 2014 by Swiss grower Beni Meier at a weigh-off in Ludwigsburg, Germany. The champion pumpkin, along with the top five pumpkins overall, will be displayed at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival on October 17-18. AFP PHOTO/JOSH EDELSON (Photo credit should read Josh Edelson/AFP/Getty Images)
