Biggest pumpkin in world: 2,471 pounds

CALABASAS

Artists spending 3 days carving the huge pumpkin at King Gillette Ranch

The world’s biggest pumpkin weighing in at 2,471 pounds is on display at the King Gillette Ranch during the “Nights Of The Jack” on Tuesday in Calabasas. Pumpkin carvers Eric Jones, left, Monique Hawk and William Wilson are carving it for Halloween. Viewing is from 6 to 10 p.m. at 26800 Mulholland Highway, Calabasas. Photos by Gene Blevins

Monique Hawk works on carving the monster pumpkin.

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From Staff reports

Said to be the biggest pumpkin in the world, weighing in at 2,471 pounds, it has been on display at the King Gillette Ranch in Calabasas during the “Nights of The Jack” event. According to a prepared statement, the annual event was expected to draw more than 100,000 people from throughout Southern California.

The giant pumpkin was the 2024 World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off winner, and it was named Rudy “due to its small initial size.” The pumpkin seed that became Rudy was planted on April 20, 2024. After that Rudy put on an incredible 400 pounds each week, about 96% of it made up of water.

The grower, Travis Gienger of Minnesota, has been nurturing big pumpkins for 30 years. He holds several championship awards for his massive pumpkins, including a seven-time Guinness World record-holder, a four-time Half Moon Bay “World Championship Pumpkin” winner, and winner of the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in California for the second year in a row.