Giant Pumpkin Festival Draws Enthusiasts From Utah, Wyoming, Idaho

Giant pumpkin growing is gaining popularity across various regions as a hobby and community event. The Meehan family in Broomall has made it a family tradition, entering their 2,000-pound pumpkin in the Virginia State Fair, with their 10-year-old son with autism finding a passion in the activity. In the UK, Matt Peskett, who is living with Hodgkin's Lymphoma, uses growing giant pumpkins as a mental health coping mechanism, highlighting the therapeutic benefits of gardening and nature connection, and has achieved pumpkins weighing over 677 pounds. Meanwhile, in Utah, Alan Gebert prepares to enter a 1,900 to 2,200-pound pumpkin in the Center Street Giant Pumpkin Festival, reflecting the dedication and community spirit involved in the hobby. Additionally, giant pumpkins feature in local fairs, such as the Durham Fair in Connecticut, where a 1,000-pound pumpkin was notably dropped on a van as part of the festivities. These stories collectively show how giant pumpkin growing serves as a source of joy, mental health support, and community engagement.