Pumpkin Weigh-Off is Monday

The annual Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Weigh-off takes place Monday at the I.D.E.S. hall in downtown Half Moon Bay. Some eighty contestants are expected to take a shot at besting the 1,229-pound Atlantic Giant entered last year by five-time champion Joel Holland of Puyallup WA. The weighing will take place from 7:30am to 10:30am.

With a top prize of $5 per pound at stake, the winner will reap more than $5,000. About $20,000 in prize money will be awarded to the top ten heaviest overall and the top three San Mateo County entries, with special prize money also awarded to the biggest pumpkins from California, the Half Moon Bay Coastside, and the San Mateo County Farm Bureau. A special $500 prize will be awarded to the "most beautiful pumpkin" as judged by the audience based on color, shape and size.