Plumpest pumpkin: 2,058-pound gourd sets record
(AP)—A pumpkin weighing 2,058 pounds has taken first prize and set a tournament record at an annual pumpkin-weighing contest in Northern California.
Fifty-six-year-old John Hawkley was crowned the victor Monday.
Tim Beeman, a spokesman for the weigh-off in Half Moon Bay, says Hawkley "squashed" his competition, beating the runner-up by more than 300 pounds.
Hawkley grew the winning pumpkin in California's Napa Valley, which is famous for its wine grapes. He says he will use the $13,000 in prize money to make repairs on his home, which was damaged during a strong earthquake in the Napa area in August.
Hawkley credited his success at least in part to warm weather. He ended up with a total of six pumpkins, another one of which also weighed more than 2,000 pounds.
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Grower John Hawkley and master of ceremonies Cameron Palmer (left to right) celebrate on stage at the 41st Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Monday, Oct. 13, 2014. Hawkley won with a 2,058 lb. pumpkin and set a new North American record. (AP Photo/Alex Washburn) -
John Hawkley poses with his pumpkin at the 41st Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Monday, Oct. 13, 2014. Hawkley, of Napa, Calif., was named as a favorite to win early in the day. (AP Photo/Alex Washburn) -
Rob Globus looks at his 3rd place 1,740 lb. pumpkin as master of ceremonies Cameron Palmer claps for him on stage at the 41st Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Monday, Oct. 13, 2014. Globus grew six pumpkins in Walnut Grove Calif. and all of them made it to the end of the season without splitting. (AP Photo/Alex Washburn)
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