Germany

Gourd Growers To Gather For World Championship Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay

Gourd growers will gather Monday in Half Moon Bay for the 45th Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off, organizers said.

Weighing begins at 7 a.m. at the I.D.E.S. Grounds at 735 Main St. in Half Moon Bay and is the kickoff event for the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, which takes place Oct. 13 and 14.

The weigh-off is touted as the Super Bowl of Weigh-Offs and offers $30,000 in total prize money for a new world record entered at Half Moon Bay, according to organizers.

The current record of 2,624 pounds was set in 2016 at a weigh-off in Germany.

To help judges make their decisions, forklifts and special harnesses will lift the gourds onto a 5-ton capacity digital scale for weighing.

Officials with the San Mateo County Agriculture/Weights and Measures Department will be monitoring the weighing. Weighing is expected to end at about 11 a.m.

Anyone missing the weigh-off can see the heaviest and top four runner-ups from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street during the festival.

Copyright BAYCN - Bay City News
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