It was a monster day in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, Calif. when Superstar grower Thad Starr, a 45-year-old stay-at-home dad from Pleasant Hill, Ore., cemented his growing legend by setting a new California State record with his ginormous 1,775-pound Atlantic Giant that dominated the 39th Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off on a picture-perfect morning in this west coast pumpkin mecca.
This was Starr’s third win at Half Moon Bay. “Among growers, Half Moon Bay is looked at as the Super Bowl of weigh-offs,” says Starr. “Honestly, the bragging rights probably mean more than the prize money. Plus, Half Moon Bay’s Green Jacket’s pretty cool,” says Starr with his wife and two children by his side following the win.
Superstar grower Thad Starr with his wife and two children next to his 1,775-pound Atlantic Giant that dominated today’s 39th Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay CA on a picture-perfect morning in this west coast pumpkin mecca. Photo: Miramar Events
He obliterated the formidable field of fifty heavyweight growers to take home $10,650 ($6 per pound), Half Moon Bay’s coveted “Grand Champion Green Jacket” and a “starring role” in this weekend’s Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival where his gargantuan gourd was on display along with the top five overall from the weigh-off.
Starr’s grand champion mega-gourd will be proudly displayed at the world-famous Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival. California.
State weigh-in Results
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1st
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Thad Starr, Pleasant Hill OR
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1,775 lbs.
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$10,650.
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2nd
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Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill OR
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1,521 lbs.
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$2,000.
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3rd
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John Hawkley, Napa CA
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1,480 lbs.
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$1,500.
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4th
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Ross Pugh, Santa Rosa CA
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1,446 lbs.
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$1,000.
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5th
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Robert Globus, Walnut Grove CA
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1,442 lbs.
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$ 500.
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6th
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Tim Mathison, Napa CA
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1,439 lbs.
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$ 500.
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7th
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Ron Root, Citrus Heights CA
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1,415 lbs.
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$ 500.
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8th
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Gary Miller, Napa CA
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1,284 lbs.
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$ 500.
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9th
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Jim Sherwood, Mulino OR
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1,277 lbs.
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$ 500.
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10th
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Russ Pingrey, Santa Rosa CA
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1,203 lbs.
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$ 500.
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Biggest from the state of California
John Hawkley, Napa CA
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1,480 lbs.
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$1,000.
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Biggest from the Coastside
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John Muller, Half Moon Bay CA
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480 lbs.
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$ 500.
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Most Beautiful Pumpkin
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Eric Carlson, Portola Valley CA
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$ 500.
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