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National Pumpkin

Weigh Off

2024 Winner! 2,453 lbs

$22,077

Jim Sherwood, Oregon

!

Again in Wheatland!

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Established in 1921, the National Pumpkin Weigh Off moved last year to Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm in Wheatland, approximately 20 miles north of Roseville. Returning for a second year, the all-day event is scheduled for Saturday, September 28th, 2024, with judging to begin at 11 a.m. With the highest prize pool in the world, growers from across the United States and Canada participated. First place prize money will be awarded in a “pay-by-the-pound” system with the champion receiving a hefty $9 per pound. If a new World Record is set, the grower will receive a total of $30,000. In all, the top 25 pumpkins will win cash prizes, potentially totaling over $58,000. Last year’s winner was Dave Chan of Vancouver, Canada, weighing-in at 2,212 and taking home $19,908. Currently the World Record pumpkin is 2,749 lbs held by Travis Gienger of Minnesota. In addition to giant pumpkins, seven additional categories will be judged and awarded cash prizes, including bushel gourd, long gourd, tomato, marrow, sunflower, watermelon, and field pumpkin. Local 4-H and FFA students have again been given the opportunity and starter plants to grow giant pumpkins of their own. Students ranging from seven years old to 17 are eligible to enter the Future Farmers category, which will pay for the top ten places, with a top award of $1000. 2023’s Future Farmer winners were the Gryn sisters of Rio Oso, weighing in at 1,000 lbs on their first attempt. The California Pumpkin Growers Club is a non-profit organization composed of pumpkin and large vegetable growers throughout California. The Club is part of the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC), the international organization which sets the standards for the competitive weigh offs held around the world and officially tracks every weigh off and pumpkin entered. “The goal of the California Pumpkin Growers Club is to promote the growing of giant pumpkins and other vegetables through friendly competitions and through education of the non-growing public about what it takes to grow these giants,” said Brian Myers, Chairman of the California Pumpkin Growers Club. “The Club is thrilled to be at Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm again. We hope to see records fall as our monstrous pumpkins hit the scale.” Open from early-September through early-November, Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm is located at 1415 Pumpkin Lane in Wheatland, California. Since opening to the public in 1973 as a place for local students to experience an agriculture field trip, Bishop’s has grown to a regional destination, offering homemade foods, authentic farm fun and the largest u-pick pumpkin field in the world. Over 275,000 guests visit annually. “When the opportunity to host one of the most prestigious agricultural contests in the world presented itself last year, we gave a resounding yes,” said Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm Owner, Wayne Bishop. “It’s just the perfect fit for our business, our passion, and our ag-based community.” In addition to the weigh off, a VIP Meet-the-Growers Reception will be held on Friday September 27th and a National Pumpkin Weigh Off Awards Dinner will be held the evening of September 28th, both at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain, the Weigh Off’s Title Sponsor. “We love supporting our local community,” said Meghan McCarthy, Vice President of Operations for Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento. “Our region is truly an ag-tourism destination. We are excited to partner on this unique event again and can’t wait to welcome new visitors.”

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Schedule

Event Schedule

Saturday, September 28th

Bishop's Pumpkin Farm

Free parking & Free admission
1415 Pumpkin Lane, Wheatland, CA 95692

All times are subject to change based on number of entries

  • 11:00 am Future Farmers (ages 7-17)

  • 11:15 am On-Site Carving of a Giant Pumpkin Begins

  • 11:30 am Giant Pumpkin Weigh-In Begins

  • Ongoing Additional Giant Vegetable Winners Announced
    Field Pumpkin, Bushel Gourd, Long Gourd, Tomato, Watermelon & Sunflower

  • 2:00 pm The Heaviest 10 Giant Pumpkins Weighed Last

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Current Record Holders

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World's Largest Prize Pool
Over $58,000 for 2024!

2024 GIANT PUMPKIN PRIZE POOL

NEW! $30,000 World Record Total Prize Package*

#1 = $9/Pound and the coveted Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento National Pumpkin Weighoff Championship Belt

2. $4,000
3. $3,500
4. $3,000
5. $2,500
6. $2,000
7. $1,500
8. $1,000
9. $900
10. $850
11. $700
12. $600
13. $500

14. $400
15. $300
16. $250
17. $225
18. $200
19. $175
20. $150
21. $100
22. $100
23. $100
24. $100
25. $100

+ bonus for new California State record (only CA grown) $1000

+ bonus for Howard Dill award (prettiest) $500 (voted by judges)

*To receive the $30,000 world record prize, the grower must break and hold the world record at the conclusion of the National Pumpkin Weigh Off. If two or more growers happen to break the world record during the event, the prize money would go to the grower of the heaviest pumpkin.

ALL OTHER VEGETABLES

1st Place = $100  Each

  • Bushel Gourd

  • Long Gourd

  • Tomato

  • Marrow

  • Watermelon

  • Field Pumpkin

  • Sunflower

FUTURE FARMERS

Ages 6 - 17 (Pumpkins only)

1. $1000

2. $800

3. $600

4. $400

5. $200

6. $100

7. $100

8. $100

9. $100

10. $100

2024 Winners!

#1 = 2,453 lbs | $22,077

Jim Sherwood, Mulino, Oregon

​2. 2,301 lbs

Russ Pugh, Eugene, OR

3. 1,991 lbs

Madison Thomson, Penn Valley, CA

4. 1,950 lbs

Jake Leonard, Rocklin, CA

5. 1,634 lbs

Ruben Castro, American Canyon, CA

6. 1,592 lbs

Andy Marden, Napa, CA

7. 1,369 lbs

Brian Werner, Biggs, CA

8. 1,338 lbs

Tom Wilson, Grass Valley, CA

9. 1,270 lbs

Carla Suehowicz, Sonora, CA

10. 1,153 lbs

Jerry & Dani Gadberry, Deer Park, WA

11. 1,146 lbs

Gary Miller, Napa, CA

12. 1,019 lbs

The Gonzalez's, Wheatland, CA

13. 818 lbs

Brant & Eleanor Bordsen, Yuba City, CA

14. 813 lbs

Cory Cowden, Placerville, CA

15. 739 lbs

Jose Cardenas, Napa, CA

16. 729 lbs

Brian Myers, Penryn, CA

17. 705 lbs

Sage Barcia

18. 643 lbs

Deann Middleton, Rio Oso, CA

19. 635 lbs

Buddy Sargenti, Denair, CA

20. 623 lbs

Debra Hetrick, Olivehurst, CA

21. 611 lbs

Mike Alves, Willows, CA

22. 610 lbs

Brandon Dawson, Santa Rosa, CA

23. 586 lbs

Pedro & Levi, Wheatland, CA

24. 565 lbs

Barry Hubbard, Antelope, CA

25. 533 lbs

Randy Warren, Auburn, CA

A Giant Welcome!

The California Pumpkin Growers, a member of the international Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, is excited to partner with Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm to host the National Pumpkin Weigh-Off! For almost 30 years we have held this amazing event -- with homes in Elk Grove, then the Nut Tree in Vacaville, and now (and hopefully for a long time to come!) in Wheatland. Our mission is to cultivate the hobby of growing giant pumpkins and other giant fruits and vegetables; establishing standards and regulations that ensure quality, fairness of competition, recognition of achievement, fellowship and education. Let’s get growing together! Brian Myers Chairman, California Pumpkin Growers Club

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Bishop's Pumpkin Farm

In 1973, my parents Bill and Sandy planted the first pumpkins and invited local schools to come visit the farm. Since then we have added delicious homemade foods, authentic farm fun, and the largest U-Pick pumpkin field in the world. When the opportunity to host one of the most prestigious agricultural contests in the world presented itself, we gave a resounding “YES!” With the support of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento at Fire Mountain, we have planned an exciting weekend of activities for our region and amazing opportunities for community partners. Let’s break some records this year! Wayne Bishop Owner, Bishop’s Pumpkin Farm

Title Sponsor

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Gold Sponsors

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Silver Sponsors

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Bronze Sponsors

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Event Sponsors

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Thank you for your support!

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