Canfield weigh-off to dangle $70,000 as giant pumpkin growers chase records

The Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers will host the Giant Pumpkin World Weigh-Off on Oct. 10 in Canfield, Ohio, drawing top growers from several states for more than $70,000 in prizes. Organizers say the event could also produce a new world-record pumpkin and includes free admission for the public.

Why it matters: - The Canfield weigh-off has become one of North America's premier giant pumpkin competitions. - A new world record would make the event a milestone for competitive giant vegetable growing. - More than $70,000 in prize money raises the stakes for growers chasing top finishes and record bonuses.

What happened: - The Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers will host the Giant Pumpkin World Weigh-Off on Saturday, Oct. 10, 2026, at 10 a.m. at Parks Garden Center, 9010 Youngstown Salem Road in Canfield, Ohio. - Growers from Ohio, New York, Michigan, Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Indiana are expected to compete. - The event is sanctioned by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, the sport's governing body. - Admission is free and open to the public.

The details: - Organizers say the event is expected to draw some of North America's most accomplished giant pumpkin growers. - The Ohio Valley Giant Pumpkin Growers describe Canfield as the world's heaviest weigh-off site. - The group says its Top 10 average weight is 2,252.5 pounds, the highest of any weigh-off site. - The competition will award more than $70,000 across categories. - First place pays $12,250, second place pays $9,250 and third place pays $7,250. - Prize money extends through 30th place. - Top 10 finishers also receive gas cards. - Special awards include the Howard Dill Award, Squash Award and Grand Exhibitor Award. - A new world-record pumpkin would trigger a $13,000 World Record Bonus after the 2026 weigh-off season. - Combined with first-place prize money, that could bring a total payout of $25,250. - The event also includes competitions for giant watermelons, field pumpkins, sunflowers, tomatoes, long gourds, marrows and bushel gourds. - Spectators can watch giant pumpkins weighing well over a ton unloaded from specialized trailers and lifted onto certified scales. - Attendees can also meet champion growers and learn about seed genetics, soil management and fertilization techniques. - Media contact: Tim Parks, Parks Garden Center, 330-533-7278, parksgardencenter@aol.com. - More information is available on the event's Facebook page.

Between the lines: - The event's draw is not just the prize pool; it is also the chance to be associated with a world-record pumpkin. - The focus on 3,000-pound pumpkins shows how close the sport is to another headline-grabbing benchmark. - Free admission and family-friendly programming broaden the event beyond hardcore growers.

What's next: - Competitors will bring their pumpkins to Canfield on Oct. 10 for official weighing and category awards. - Organizers expect the heaviest pumpkins to arrive on specially designed trailers for the public weigh-in. - The 2026 weigh-off season will determine whether any grower earns the world-record bonus.

The bottom line: - Canfield is positioning itself as both a showcase and a payday for giant pumpkin growers hoping to make history.