200 pounds — that's how heavy Mohamed Sadiq's first pumpkin was almost 15 years ago.
"I thought I grew the world's biggest pumpkin," Sadiq said. "I was so stoked it was so big. I couldn't even move it."
Today he is placing his pumpkin on the scale at the second annual Utah State Fair Giant Pumpkin Growing Contest.
Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers hosted the event. The association of more than 7,000 members is united by their passion for gardening on a gargantuan scale, Clint Nash, president of Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers, said.
"We're the Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers," Nash said." We're an association of people that grow giant veggies and other things, especially pumpkins."
Member and commercial pumpkin grower Jim Seamons said he entered the competition and is glad to see seven entries under the tent.
"We're actually surprised how many pumpkins showed up because it's early to be weighing pumpkins. A lot of them are still growing," Seamons said.
Before the competition, officials ordered the pumpkins based on their predictions of which pumpkin would weigh the most.
Sadiq's entry is predicted to be the largest in the contest, but his 60 day old pumpkin comes in on the smaller end of his collection, he said.
"It's probably the smallest pumpkin I've ever entered in a GPC competition. I lost both of my big pumpkins this year. It was a disappointing season," Sadiq said.
Still, it looks like it's enough to bring home the blue ribbon.
Sadiq said he's glad so many people attended the event and hopes they will get involved and start their own gardens.
"We love displaying our pumpkins," Sadiq said. "We feel so proud."
For Sadiq, this is the end of his season, but for other pumpkin lovers, it's just getting started.
Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers is hosting four more events this season including two pumpkin weigh-ins, a regatta and a giant pumpkin drop.
For more information, visit the Utah Giant Pumpkin Grower's website.