Massive Pumpkin in Zanesville

Believe it or not, Ohio now holds the record for the largest pumpkin in history, weighing in at more than 1,700 pounds.

And here in Zanesville, Genesis Extended Care is home to one of that record-holding pumpkins’ competitors. This one weighs in at 1,104.5 pounds.

It’s currently on display at Genesis Extended Care, behind the Bethesda Hospital.

"This has been one of the best years for growing pumpkins," said pumpkin farmer Tim Johnson. "That’s why Barnesville had a new record. They beat it by about 200 pounds. The world record was set right here in Ohio. A lot of big pumpkins this year."

Johnson says his brother Jay entered this pumpkin and several others in the Canfield Pumpkin Festival, pitting it against the current record holder. All three of his pumpkins weighed more than 1,100 pounds. This particular pumpkin was the 131st largest.

Johnson says his family competes in festivals, but also against their own family members.

"We’re always going for the biggest," he said. "You always want the biggest and you have a lot of hopes. There’s a lot of things that play into it. And it’s a lot of time. One of the things you have to look out for is hail, the storms, the wind, everything comes into play."

Johnson says large pumpkin growing has taken off in Ohio, due to the importance of agriculture in the state.

The pumpkin will be on display until Halloween.

After it starts to deteriorate, he will split it open for the deer and other animals to eat.