Napan breaks California's largest pumpkin record

BY DAN ROSS
Napa Valley Register

A Napa man has a new state record and is $7,500 richer after winning the Elk Grove Giant Pumpkin contest last weekend.

Pete Glasier took top honors at the weigh-in as his 1,535.5 pound pumpkin shattered the state record. The previous mark was also set by a Napan, Gary Miller, whose winning massive pumpkin came in at 1,280.5 pounds in the 2006 contest.

Jose Ceja of Napa grabbed third place in the giant pumpkin weigh-off by growing a 1,147.5 pounds pumpkin. A new state record for squash was also recorded at the festival, as Napa's Leonardo Urena brought in a 1,131.5-pounder.

Napa residents have had a very good showing at the giant pumpkin weigh-off the last three years.

Dean Busquaert's pumpkin weighed in at 1,042 pounds last year, good for third place, while Glasier took fourth with a 1,016-pounder.

Ureno grew a 1200.5 pound pumpkin to win the 2005 contest and claim the state record, with