On September 20th (Saturday), the 10th annual Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off took place at Irvine Regional Park in Southern California. Hundreds of residents gathered to watch the pumpkin competition with many families attending together.
This annual event is open to residents of seven counties in Southern California, but only pumpkins grown by participants themselves are eligible for the competition.
Approximately 23 giant pumpkins were weighed this year, starting from the smallest-looking one. Participants estimated the weight, then everyone counted down “3, 2, 1” together before the actual weight was displayed. The top 10 heaviest pumpkins growers received cash prizes ranging from $100 to $3,500.
Before the competition, all pumpkins were placed on padded wooden bases using a crane, and the same crane was used during the competition. Most participants were from Orange County, followed by Los Angeles County. Besides pumpkins, this year also saw giant watermelons and squash longer than an adult’s height being weighed. Other giant fruits were also weighed to showcase participants’ growing accomplishments.
Not only is participating in the competition a challenge in itself, but growing pumpkins is also a rewarding experience where one can witness their progress, generating great interest among many. For example, this year’s champion Kevin Donahue finished fifth last year, and his pumpkin this year weighed nearly 100 pounds more than last year.
Janet O’Faolain from Lake Forest secured seventh place with a 651-pound pumpkin, highlighting the challenge of transporting such a large pumpkin to the event. Her pumpkin last year weighed 409 pounds, showing significant progress this year with an increase of 242 pounds. She expressed, “Growing pumpkins is very exciting; you have to keep the pumpkin vines vibrant.”
Christian Corona from Long Beach claimed eighth place with a 633-pound pumpkin. He enthusiastically urged all residents, “Stop playing games at home and come out; growing pumpkins is a lot of fun.” His words were met with enthusiastic applause.
The top two winners of the 2025 weigh-off both hailed from Mission Viejo in Orange County and coincidentally shared the name Kevin. Kevin Donahue’s white pumpkin weighed 1,515 pounds, an increase from the 1,419-pound pumpkin he grew last year.
Claiming the second spot was Kevin Matter with a 1,365-pound pumpkin. He placed third last year with a 1,479-pound pumpkin.
Gary Tovey from Dana Point secured third place with a pumpkin weighing 1,044 pounds, a remarkable improvement from the 716-pound pumpkin he grew last year, surpassing by over 300 pounds.
John Brinkley from Fullerton clinched the tenth spot with a 516-pound pumpkin. Thus, growing a pumpkin weighing over 500 pounds could potentially lead to winning a prize.
This year, four individuals cultivated pumpkins exceeding 1,000 pounds. However, the 2024 results were even more impressive with nine individuals growing pumpkins exceeding 1,000 pounds. Staff mentioned that the heaviest pumpkin in the history of the competition came from Brad Bledsoe from Colorado, weighing 1,955 pounds, earning him the championship in 2024 after transporting the pumpkin from Colorado to Southern California.
Three individuals were awarded special prizes in 2025: Gary Tovey received the Most Beautiful Pumpkin Award for his brightly orange pumpkin; Fernando Arroyas from Fontana in San Bernardino County was named Rookie of the Year; and Everett Madhaven from Santa Ana received the Youngest Grower Award for his 32-pound pumpkin.
Bob McFall showcased a 79-pound giant watermelon. A child admiring the watermelon expressed a desire to take it home.
Wondering how to grow giant pumpkins? “Firstly, you need giant pumpkin seeds. I used seeds from last year, which follow the lineage of the original seeds,” shared Matter. “On the same pumpkin vine, there are male and female flowers, and hand-pollination is advisable.”
“The key is watering, watering, and more watering. I have to water about 200 gallons daily. Of course, it’s unnecessary when the fruit is newly set, but as the pumpkin grows sufficiently large, increased watering is essential,” he added, mentioning that pumpkins mature in about 100 days and are typically planted in April.
Do you need a vast area to grow giant pumpkins? Matter explained, “Having over a thousand square feet is excellent, but with just 150 square feet, you can grow pumpkins weighing over a thousand pounds.”
Vince George from Santee in San Diego County grew the largest pumpkin a few years ago, but this year he brought a pale green squash. He emphasized, “First, get giant pumpkin seeds, then prepare the soil, ensure adequate sunlight and water.”
“I use a computer program to analyze and add various nutrients to the soil,” George stated. He uses a drip irrigation system to water regularly, maintaining moisture without excess. Additionally, “Pumpkins need sunlight, but if temperatures exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the leaves may get sunburned, and shading may be necessary for the pumpkin vines.”
The event host mentioned that residents interested in learning how to grow giant pumpkins can attend training courses at Irvine Regional Park next April. ◇