New Record Alert! Local Brian Werner celebrates after winning first place at the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival. Photo courtesy of the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival

GRIDLEY, CA (MPG) – Local Brian Werner has been growing giant pumpkins in Biggs and hauling them to weigh-ins throughout the north state, such as the National Pumpkin Weigh-Off at Bishops Pumpkin Patch, the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival (EGGPF) and the Half Moon Bay World Champion Pumpkin Weigh Off.

This year, two of Werners giants were grown together. One of the Atlantic Giant pumpkins knick-named “Scarface” took third place at Bishops weigh-off held Sept. 27, at a whopping 1,758 lbs.

The other traveled to Elk Grove last weekend, Oct. 4-5, for competition and did not disappoint.

Brian Werner smiles surrounded by his family, including his daughters, grandkids, and siblings. Photo courtesy of the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival

“New Record Alert!” exclaims the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival on social media “Brian Werner from Gridley, CA, smashes our site record today with a massive 2-147-pound pumpkin, earning him the top prize of $7,000. This marks Brian’s first win- and his biggest pumpkin yet!”

Previously, Werner shared with the Gridley Herald that the Elk Grove contest held a special meaning for him.  This year members of his family joined him at the weigh-in and he really hoped to take the 2025 title.

Brian Werner holds up his winning prize at the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival. Photo courtesy of the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin Festival

“It means a lot,” Werner said after the weigh-off, surrounded by his family, including his daughters, grandkids, and siblings. “The support I get from my family makes it that much better. Growing pumpkins challenges me mentally every day. Every day it’s something different, and it relieves your stress of the day. It’s hard work, but it’s a great hobby.”

 With a first-place finish and a third securely beneath his belt, Werner heads to Half-Moon Bay for his final weigh-off of the season.