World Pumpkin Record Falls Twice in a Week as Rhode Island Grower Tops Hampshire Twins

RHODE ISLAND, U.S. — The record for the world's heaviest pumpkin has changed hands twice within a single week, according to a report in The Mirror, with the latest holder a grower from Rhode Island whose gourd is said to weigh as much as a small car.

Ron Wallace, 60, brought his pumpkin to the Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh Off on Saturday. Officials from the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth inspected it, and the Guinness Book of World Records has since confirmed a weight of 1,431.5 kg (3,156 lbs). The report adds that this is roughly equal to three concert grand pianos, or enough pumpkin for more than 3,000 pies.

The mark he surpassed had stood just seven days. Twin brothers Ian and Stuart Paton, of Lymington, Hampshire, set it on October 3 with a 1,296 kg (2,857 lbs) specimen, becoming the first Britons to hold the title. Mr Wallace's entry outweighed theirs by nearly 200 kg.

Mr Wallace has grown giant gourds for 35 years, and Guinness records that this is his third heavyweight title. He first won in 2006 with a 681.3 kg pumpkin and again in 2012 with one of 911.27 kg. He took home £2,650 ($3,500) from the local contest, the report says, having declined other events offering prizes of up to about £53,000 ($70,000) in order to win before his hometown crowd.

Of the moment of weighing, he said the place "just exploded." He credited the growing community, saying a 3,000-pound pumpkin is the work of people cooperating. Head judge Matthew DeBacco called it astonishing what nature can produce under an expert horticulturist's care.

The champion is not resting on his laurels, or his vines. He said he is contemplating taking next year off to finish projects on his farm, adding only: "We will see."