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Princeville Farmer Takes Home Gold During Annual Pumpkin Weigh-In

Cass Herrington
/
Peoria Public Radio

A 768-pound pumpkin took home the gold during the weigh-in at the annual Pumpkin Festival in Morton.

Toby Bragg, a buyer at the Nestle plant, had the local honor of towing the giant pumpkin during Saturday’s parade.

BRAGG: “We’ll take him back to the Libby’s plant in Morton, then it’ll go back to the owner."

REPORTER: "Is it going to be any  good to eat?"

BRAGG: "No, I wouldn’t think so.”  

The massive gourd was topped off with a gold crown.

The proud owner of the winning pumpkin, Joe House, owns a farm in Princeville called “The Pumpkin Place.”

Last year’s winning pumpkin weighed in at 965 pounds.

Morton, Illinois is the world’s largest producer of canned pumpkin.