Giant Pumpkin Growers from Across the Nation Converge in Canfield for World-Class Weigh-Off

2025 Winners

$70,000 in prize money is on the line at the Giant Pumpkin World Weigh-Off in Canfield, Ohio, on October 10. Will history be made with a new world-record 🎃

CANFIELD, OH, UNITED STATES, October 5, 2026 /EINPresswire.com/ -- CANFIELD, Ohio – October 10, 2026 – The Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers will host the Giant Pumpkin World Weigh-Off on Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at Parks Garden Center, 9010 Youngstown Salem Road, Canfield, Ohio 44406. The internationally recognized event is expected to draw some of North America's most accomplished giant pumpkin growers as they compete for one of the largest prize purses in the sport and the opportunity to make giant pumpkin-growing history.

Sanctioned by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC), the world's governing organization for giant pumpkin competitions, the event serves as one of the premier weigh-off sites in North America. Growers from Ohio, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, and Indiana will transport their prized pumpkins to Canfield in hopes of capturing top honors, setting personal bests, and potentially challenging world records.

Each autumn, giant pumpkin enthusiasts from across the globe focus their attention on a handful of elite weigh-off locations, and Canfield has firmly established itself among that group. The Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers have built a reputation for excellence, attracting some of the heaviest pumpkins ever grown and creating an atmosphere where world-class competition meets family-friendly entertainment.

The excitement surrounding this year's event is heightened by the continued pursuit of the elusive 3,000-pound giant pumpkin. While the current world record remains one of the most remarkable achievements in horticultural history, growers continue to push the limits through innovative cultivation techniques, advanced genetics, and months of dedicated care. Every season brings new possibilities, and the Canfield weigh-off has become a location where history is always a possibility.

For spectators, the event offers a rare opportunity to witness agricultural accomplishments that few people ever see in person. Giant pumpkins weighing well over a ton will be unloaded from specially designed trailers and carefully lifted onto certified scales for official weighing. The dramatic process often draws crowds of cheering spectators eager to discover which grower has produced the heaviest pumpkin of the season.

The Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers have earned international recognition by hosting the heaviest weigh-off site in the world. The organization currently boasts the world's highest Top 10 average weight of any weigh-off site at 2,252.5 pounds, a remarkable achievement that reflects both the quality of local growers and the reputation the event has earned throughout the giant pumpkin-growing community.

"Canfield has become one of the premier destinations in the giant pumpkin-growing world," said organizers of the Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers. "Year after year, growers continue to raise the bar, and the level of competition continues to grow. The possibility of seeing a pumpkin approach or even surpass the 3,000-pound milestone generates tremendous excitement for everyone involved."

In addition to the competition itself, attendees will have the opportunity to meet champion growers, learn about giant pumpkin cultivation, and photograph some of the largest pumpkins ever produced. Many competitors are eager to share knowledge about seed genetics, soil management, fertilization programs, and the dedication required to grow pumpkins that can exceed 2,000 pounds.

A major attraction for competitors is the event's prize structure, which ranks among the most lucrative in the sport of giant pumpkin growing. More than $70,000 in prize money and awards will be distributed across all competition categories, rewarding both elite growers and participants throughout the field.

"The combination of elite growers, our reputation as the world's heaviest weigh-off site, and one of the most generous prize structures in the sport makes this event special," organizers said. "With more than $70,000 in prizes available and a potential payout of $25,250 for a new world-record pumpkin, we're excited to welcome competitors and spectators from throughout the region and beyond."

The first-place giant pumpkin will earn $12,250, while second place will receive $9,250 and third place $7,250. Prize money extends deep into the standings, with awards paid through 30th place to recognize a broad range of successful growers. Additional incentives include gas cards for Top 10 finishers and specialty awards such as the Howard Dill Award, Squash Award, and Grand Exhibitor Award.

One of the most exciting features of the competition is the $13,000 World Record Bonus, awarded after completion of the 2026 weigh-off season. Combined with first-place prize money, a grower who sets a new world record at the event could earn a total payout of $25,250, making the Canfield weigh-off one of the most rewarding destinations in competitive giant pumpkin growing.

Beyond giant pumpkins, the event will also feature competitions for giant watermelons, field pumpkins, sunflowers, tomatoes, long gourds, marrows, and bushel gourds. These categories showcase the remarkable diversity of giant vegetable growing and provide additional excitement for both participants and spectators.

The weigh-off has become an annual celebration of agriculture, gardening, and community. Families from throughout the Mahoning Valley and beyond attend each year to witness the spectacle of giant pumpkins arriving from across the region. For many visitors, it is their first opportunity to see produce of such extraordinary size and learn about the passion that drives growers to achieve these remarkable results.

Admission to the Giant Pumpkin World Weigh-Off is free, making it an accessible event for families, gardening enthusiasts, photographers, and anyone curious about the world of competitive giant vegetable growing. Organizers encourage attendees to arrive early to experience the unloading and weighing process and to enjoy a day celebrating one of agriculture's most fascinating achievements.

Event Details

What: Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers Giant Pumpkin World Weigh-Off
When: Saturday, October 10, 2026, at 10:00 a.m.
Where: Parks Garden Center, 9010 Youngstown Salem Road, Canfield, OH 44406
Admission: Free and open to the public

Media Contact

Tim Parks
Parks Garden Center
9010 Youngstown Salem Road
Canfield, OH 44406
Phone: 330-533-7278
Email: parksgardencenter@aol.com

About the Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers

The Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers is a competitive growing organization dedicated to advancing the cultivation of giant pumpkins and supporting growers throughout the region. As a sanctioned Great Pumpkin Commonwealth weigh-off site, the organization has established itself as one of the world's premier venues for

William T. Hendricks
Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers
+1 330-717-2455
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