Giant pumpkin weigh-off set Saturday at Parks Garden
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GREENFORD - The Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers (OVGPG) will host their 29th Annual World Record Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off Oct. 14 at Parks Garden Center, 9010 Youngstown-Salem Road, Canfield.
The 2022 winner, at 2,493 pounds, was grown by Andy Wolf of New York, who is hoping to beat last year's performance. The current Pennsylvania state record of 2,405 pounds is held by Erik Gunstrom of Harrison City, Pa. The current U.S. record is 2,560 pounds held by Travis Geingers of Anoka, Minnesota. The current world record giant pumpkin is 2,703 pounds grown in Radda Chianti in Tuscany, Italy by Stefano Cutrupi. This world champion pumpkin was grown from seed provided by the OVGPG. In 2021 and 2022, the OVGPG Weigh-Off was rated #1 in the world.
Prize money this year will exceed $20,000. Contests include the heaviest giant pumpkin, watermelon, tomato and field pumpkin along with widest sunflower head and longest gourd categories. The winning premium for heaviest giant pumpkin category will exceed $5,000.
The OVGPG is comprised of 200 members and provides an annual weigh-off site for the international organization: The Giant Pumpkin Commonwealth which conducts over 100 weigh-off events spanning the globe to determine the official world champion giant pumpkin.
Any member who wishes to compete in any category must have their entry submitted by Thursday, Oct. 12 at 5 p.m. at www.ovgpg.com online registration. The actual weigh-off is set to begin at 10 a.m. Oct. 14 and will continue until the last competitor has been weighed.