In brief
Travis Gienger, a horticulture teacher from Minnesota, has taken home the US giant pumpkin contest title five times. In 2026 he transported a 2,389‑lb pumpkin to Half Moon Bay, California, winning the regional competition. The current world record sits at 2,857 lb from England. Gienger says his sights are set on re‑claiming the world record in the forthcoming event.
Travis Gienger, a horticulture teacher from Minnesota, has won the US Giant Pumpkin contest a record five times.
In 2026 he shipped a 2,389‑lb pumpkin to Half Moon Bay, California, taking home the regional title.
The current world record stands at 2,857 lb, set last week in England’s south coast.
Gienger, who previously held the world‑record title, says he is eyeing a second global triumph and tells BBC he would love to break the record again.
With the upcoming competition in California, the horticulture community and pumpkin enthusiasts eagerly watch to see whether he can outgrow the existing benchmark.
