Man wins contest with 1,528-pound pumpkin
By Associated Press
Oct 14, 2008 6:42 AM CDT
Thad Starr, far left, of Pleasant Hill, Ore., watches his pumpkin being moved in the World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off contest in Half Moon Bay, Calif., Monday, Oct. 13, 2008. Starr's pumpkin weighed 1,528 pounds (693 kg) and beat the local contest record. (AP Photo/Paul Sakuma)   (Associated Press)

Thad Starr's giant pumpkin really began putting on weight in August _ a lot of weight. The pumpkin gained about 30 pounds a day on its way to victory Monday at the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-off in Half Moon Bay. Starr's pumpkin finished at a record 1,528 pounds.

Starr won last year with a pumpkin that that was four pounds lighter and also set a record.

Starr, of Pleasant Hill, Ore., bought a trailer to transport the pumpkin. It has a circumference of 15 feet.

He says his secret to growing big pumpkins is good soil: "We really pamper them."

See 1 more photo