Northeast Iowa Man Sets Another Pumpkin Record

The featured image was not in the Pumpkinfest competition. 

Fall is underway which means fall events and festivals are in full swing.  For some eastern Iowa residents, “it’s not officially Fall until Pumpkinfest”.

And this Pumpkinfest was record-breaking.

On Saturday, the Pumpkin Capital of Iowa celebrated 34 years with Anamosa Pumpkinfest & Ryan Norlin Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off. The town celebrates the festival by shutting down and is filled with food and craft vendors, classic car shows, a parade, and of course, the pumpkin weigh-off.

The first weigh-off was held in Anamosa in 1989. According to a recent article on this site, “the event was started by Tom Norlin. It was dedicated to his nephew Ryan Norlin who lost his life in a boating accident in June of that year. Tom had been growing pumpkins for years and Ryan loved to help.”

People from all over the Midwest brought their pumpkins to Anamosa for the weigh-off for the chance to be named champion. Pete Caspers of Peosta Iowa was named the 2022 Ryan Norlin Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off with a pumpkin weighing 2,424 pounds.

Not only did Caspers walk away with the number one title, but he also walked away with ANOTHER state record- yes, he was the precious state record holder.

And that wasn’t the only state record of the event!

Marc Peterson of Clinton Iowa broke the state record with his long gourd. His gourd measured in at 131 and ¾ inches.

Other biggest contests included watermelon, bushel gourd, marrow, and field pumpkins.