World Record Achievements

The Growers and Pumpkins below have been officially declared World Champions and World Records.


William Warnock 1900, 400 pound world record. The first to grow a world record. Officially weighed at the Paris Worlds Fair

William Warnock 1904, 403 pound world record. Officially weighed at the St. Louis Wolds Fair.

Bob Ford 1976, 451 pound world record. The first to break the world record in modern time.

Howard Dill 1980, 459 pound world record. 4-Time World Champion and developer of the Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin variety, Howard has been the force and founder of modern day giant pumpkin growing.

Howard Dill 1981, 493.5 pound world record. 4-Time World Champion and developer of the Dill's Atlantic Giant Pumpkin variety, Howard has been the force and founder of modern day giant pumpkin growing.

Norm Gallagher 1984, 612 pound world record. The first grower to break the 600 pound barrier. A resident of Sequim, WA, Norm started the tradition of excellence in giant pumpkin growing that is still enthusiastically embraced by today's Pacific Northwest United States giant pumpkin growers.

Robert Gancarz 1986, 671 pound world record. Robert and his brother Edward have been the only family members to share the distinction of separate world championships and world records.

Gordon Thomson 1989, 755 pound world record. The first grower to break the 700 pound barrier and a forerunner of the success of the Ottawa/St. Lawrence Giant Pumpkin Growers.

Ed Gancarz 1990, 816.5 pound world record. The first grower to break the 800 pound barrier.

Joel Holland 1992, 827 pound world record. The 827 went on to become one of the most prolific producers of world class giant pumpkins ever.

Donald Black 1993, 884 pound world record.

Herman Bax 1994, 990 pound world record. Hard-luck Herman, was a whisker away from topping the 1000 pound mark a full two years before anyone had ever accomplished it. His 990 pound pumpkin in 1994 ushered in the confidence that 1000 pound pumpkins were within grasp for all competitive giant pumpkin growers. In all, four growers in North America (two in Canada and two in the United States) broke the 900 pound barrier for the very first time in 1994!

Nathan and Paula Zehr 1996, 1061 pound world record. The first world record over 1000 pounds. Their 1061 was weighed at the WPC weigh off in Collins, NY. Bill Greer of Ontario, Canada also produced a 1006 pound pumpkin in 1996.

Gary Burke 1998, 1092 pound world record. In 1998, two other growers worldwide broke 1000 pounds as well.

Gerry Checkon 1999, 1131 pound world record -- the first pumpkin ever over 1100 pounds. Her husband, Larry, lost an 1190 pounder just weeks before the world weigh offs.

Dave Stelts 2000, 1140 pound world record.

Geneva Emmons 2001, 1262 pound world record -- the first ever over 1200 pounds. Craig Weir finished a whisker behind at 1260.4 pounds.

Charlie Houghton 2002, 1337.6 pound world record -- the first ever over 1300 pounds. Charlie lost his struggle with cancer less than a year after establishing a new standard for world records.

Steve Daletas 2003, 1385 pound world record. Four other growers also produced 1300 pound pumpkins.

Al Eaton 2004, 1446 pound world record. Two other growers also produced 1400 pound pumpkins.

Larry Checkon 2005, 1469 pound world record.

Ron Wallace 2006, 1502 pound world record -- the first giant pumpkin ever grown over 1500 pounds!

Joe Jutras 2007, 1689 pound world record -- the first giant pumpkin ever grown over 1600 pounds!

Christy Harp 2009, 1725 pound world record -- the first giant pumpkin ever grown over 1700 pounds!

Chris Stevens 2010, 1810.5 pound world record -- the first giant pumpkin ever grown over 1800 pounds!

Jim and Kelsey Bryson 2011, 1818.5 pound world record -- WOW!

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