A record-breaking Iowa pumpkin has a new home and a new shape!

Back in early October, Peosta, Iowa resident Pete Caspers set a state record at the 2022 Anamosa PumpkinFest. His massive pumpkin weighed in at a whopping 2,424 pounds! According to Pete, it's the 10th largest pumpkin to ever be grown in the U.S. and the 19th in the entire WORLD. Impressive doesn't even begin to describe it!

Pete Caspers
Pete Caspers
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Pete explained to me that Anamosa is part of the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, which includes around 120 weigh-off sites across the globe. The Great Pumpkin Commonwealth has a sponsorship with the New York Botanical Gardens, so each year, three of the largest pumpkins are sent over to NYC and put on display. Pete actually drove the pumpkin to the Bronx himself, which was definitely a challenge! He said, "Cedar Rapids is easy driving compared to that mess, especially with a 2424 lb. pumpkin behind you!"

Eight days after Pete dropped off his massive pumpkin at the New York Botanical Gardens, it was transformed into a work of art. Artists Deane Arnold, Adam Bierton, and Lenny Calvin carved the 2,424 pound beast into an incredible dragon! Pete says that it was the third largest pumpkin to EVER be carved. Just look at this masterpiece!

The talented artists that worked on Pete's pumpkin have lots of carving experience. All three of them have competed on the Food Network Show 'Halloween Wars,' and both Adam and Lenny competed on another Food Network show called 'Outrageous Pumpkins.' Deane is actually the pumpkin specialist on 'Outrageous Pumpkins!' You can check out more work from each artist using the links below:

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