While it’s not a world record, the heaviest pumpkin at Murillo’s Pumpkinfest is proof that the event is growing.
Don Cronk’s 1,411 pound pumpkin shattered the old Murillo record by more than 200 pounds Saturday afternoon. Previous winner and event organizer Ben Johnson said the pumpkins are getting bigger every year.
“The hobby is catching on. The pumpkins are coming in larger. People are getting into it. It’s kind of neat,” Johnson said.
Around 37 pumpkins weighed-in during the event. Johnson said special seeds are needed to grow a pumpkin that large. Then there’s fish fertilizer, seaweed, manure and other techniques.
“Lots of tender loving care. Lots of compost,” he said. “These are all grown naturally.”
The festival also has categories for things like heaviest watermelon and tallest sunflower. But the best bragging rights come with the biggest pumpkin.
“It’s the big one. Everybody wants to see the biggest pumpkin,” Johnson said.
Cronk took home $1,000 and gets his name on the pumpkin trophy for his win. The world
