SoCal Giants

10/14/2026

10/10/2026

Ron Wallace blows the lid off with a new World Record, 3156 lb pumpkin!

10/08/2026

We have someone in Phoenix Arizona who is looking to purchase a 200-500 pound pumpkin to display at their store. If you would like to sell yours, please send us a message and we’ll get you in touch with the buyer.

10/03/2026

A new world record was set today by Ian Paton! 2,856 lbs!

09/21/2026

Congratulations to those who made it to the finish line this season!

2026 Irvine Park Rail Road Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off Results

1st - Vince George, Santee - 2,077 lbs
2nd - Chris Dunn, Torrance - 1,766 lbs
3rd - Leo Jimenez, Madera - 1,287 lbs
4th - Gary Tovey, Dana Point - 1,256 lbs
5th - Guillermo Corona, Long Beach - 1,151 lbs
6th - Andrew Becker, Long Beach - 1,044 lbs
7th - Ian Trujillo, Long Beach - 821 lbs
8th - Brian Guess, Huntington Beach - 738 lbs
9th - Mark Carrillo, West Covina - 735 lbs
10th - Dave Righetti, San Luis Obispo - 664 lbs
11th - Islian Veliz, Long Beach - 594 lbs
12th - Maria Del Rosario Lopez - 544 lbs
13th - John Brinkley, Fullerton - 532 lbs
14th - Jon Righetti, San Luis Obispo - 495 lbs
15th - Jeff Welch, Anaheim - 471 lbs
16th - Janet O’Faolain, Lake Forest - 418 lbs
17th - Crystal Shafer, Santa Ana - 331 lbs
18th - Kevin Donahue, Mission Viejo - 313 lbs
19th - Antonio Martinez, Rialto - 231 lbs
20th - Matt Timmes, Bonsall - 160 lbs
21st - Teresa Amsler, Perris - 129 lbs
22nd - Mike Prager, Ontario - 83 lbs
23rd - Lorenzo Ponce, Covina - 81 lbs
24th - Russell Fields, Laguna Hills - 44 lbs
25th - Caleb Guess, Huntington Beach - 43 lbs
26th - Charles Abesia, Cypress - 3 lbs

Howard Dill Prettiest Pumpkin - Vince George, Santee - 2,077 lbs
New Grower of the Year - Leo Jimenez, Madera - 1,287 lbs
Mae Powell Youngest Grower - Lorenzo Ponce, Covina - 81 lbs

09/19/2026

Introducing the newest heavyweight contender in Southern California….

The 2077 George took home first place in this years weigh off!

This is officially the largest pumpkin ever grown in Southern California to be weighed at a GPC event. It is also the largest pumpkin ever to grace the Irvine Park Railroad!

09/19/2026

New Grower Knowledge Base Post! Thank you to those who volunteered photographs for this article.

Tripods, Rings, & Tips for Lifting Day!

Lifting a pumpkin can be dangerous. You've just spent months caring for a plant and growing the biggest fruit of your life. Imagine if you put all that work in, just to drop and damage the fruit on lifting day!

09/19/2026

The GPC is a community built around a passion for doing the impossible!! Our little hobby has made a big impact in this world! The evidence of that you may ask? We’ll look no further than any GPC event!! Giant Pumpkins, Watermelons, Tomatoes, Etc. Cause wonder and excitement, but most importantly, a big smile, a place where no matter your age, you feel like a kid again!! Where for a few moments in time, you feel that there is magic, that you are in some sort of fantasy world! This is one of the absolute treasures of growing giants, to watch as kids and adults alike, release the barriers of reality as they are engulfed in whimsical laughter and amazement!!

To us growers it is one of the purest rewards for all the hard work and dedication we put into our patches each and every summer! We truly blur that line of fantasy & reality!

The GPC would like to recognize the passion and commitment of those giant growers who raised their hand and said I wanna be part of this incredible community!!

Starting very soon and as we go throughout the winter, we will be recognizing our Charter members! The deep gratitude we have and the immense appreciation for what we saw when we asked who was willing to step up and be counted, has deeply humbled us! Thank You all so Very Much!!!

09/16/2026

This Saturday! Don’t miss out on the fun!

09/14/2026

5 days to go! Don’t miss out!

Great Pumpkin Weigh Off
📍 Irvine Park Railroad
1 Irvine Park Road, Orange CA 92869
🕰️ 9/19/26 at 9am