Since the early days of pumpkin competition, growers have always wondered how heavy a pumpkin could get. As the years went on, changes in growing techniques, genetics, and the steady increase in the number of total growers in the hobby all helped push the progressive weight gains year after year. In 1996, the world saw two official pumpkins break the 1000 pound barrier. 10 years later, 1500 pounds was passed. Nobody knows where the limit is. "Why not as big as a house?" is our favorite response.

In the spring of 2008, the GPC committee decided to place a standing bounty on the first "one ton" pumpkin. This will be a bonus to be paid in addition to any other prizes offered that particular year. The prize will increase by $1,000 each year untill the barrier is broken. If there is more than one pumpkin over 2,000 pounds weighed that year, the prize will be split equally among the winners.

Terms and conditions:

   º Pumpkin must be weighed at a Premium Level GPC site
   º Entry must be a sound, official entry (not DMG)
   º Prize money will be presented at the IGVGC the following spring.