Oregon Man Wins Half Moon Bay's Annual Pumpkin Weigh-Off Contest

HALF MOON BAY (CBS SF) -- An Oregon grower was crowned champion of the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival with his monster 1,969 pound gourd.

Steve Daletas is taking home $11,814, or $6 per pound, after his giant beige pumpkin topped off as the heaviest at the 42nd annual weigh-off

Ron and Karen Root came in second place with a pumpkin weighing 1,806 pounds. Jake Larue ranked third with a 1,685 pumpkin.

But his pumpkin fell short of a couple records.

Last year, grower John Hawkley set a North American record with a 2,058-pounder. He is expected to return to defend his title.

The current world record was set last year in Germany at a little more than 2,300 pounds. Any pumpkin grower that topped that would have earned the $30,000 prize.

A $500 prize will also be awarded to the "most beautiful" pumpkin based on color, shape and size. The audience will vote.

RELATED: Drought Leads To Smaller California Pumpkins, More Shipments From Oregon

The contest kicks off the Art & Pumpkin Festival, which takes place this weekend.

Here are the latest updates from the Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival Twitter feed:

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• Halloween