HAMILTON, Ohio —

It was a gourd -geous night in Hamilton — where some of the biggest pumpkins you’ll ever see rolled into town for Operation Pumpkin 2025.

The annual festival drew growers and spectators from across the country for the Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off, where competitors hoped to “squash” the competition and maybe even set a world record. Advertisement

And this year, history was made. A pumpkin weighing 2,518 pounds broke the Ohio state record, coming within just 300 pounds of the world record.

Scott Andrusz and his two sons from New York took home the crown, adding another title to their collection. Andrusz, who already holds the New York state record, said growing a giant pumpkin is a true labor of love.

"It's like having a baby or a dog or something. You got to take care o

See Full Page