Giant-pumpkin growers from around the world come to Utah for national convention

SALT LAKE CITY — Clint Nash's 1,200-pound pumpkin has been sitting in a cold and lonely warehouse for four months, waiting to be carved. This Friday, the wait is over, and the carving will be done in front of hundreds of giant-pumpkin growers from around the world.

For the first time ever, Utah will host the 2026 International Growers Convention, put on by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth.

"This is like the Olympics of giant-veggie growing," said Clint Nash, president of the Utah Giant Pumpkin Growers. "The convention has been going on for 25 years. It was held in Belgium two years ago and in Wisconsin last year. We put a bid on it, and they ended up choosing us."

Nash said that having the convention in Utah is unique because giant pumpkins are harder to grow here than in areas with more rainfall.

"It's challenging to grow big pumpkins here," Nash said. "Our state records aren't quite as high as other areas in the world. ... I've grown one over 1,400 pounds. That's really big, but it also dwarfs some of the pumpkins around the world. Utah's record is 2,289 pounds, and the world record is 2,818 pounds."

The convention will be held March 6-8 and will feature presenters in soil science and plant pathology, as well as a professor of crop physiology, a neurologist, and greenhouse experts. Nash's 1,200-pound pumpkin will also be carved by Utah's own master carver, Aaron Reimschissel.

Nash said that he's most excited about learning from other people around the world.

"We're really excited to have the world come here for this convention," Nash said. "It's for people to fine-tune their pumpkin growing. It's a great community, and this convention will be fun for all of us to learn from each other, so we can try new things next year."

The International Growers Convention will be held at the Hilton City Center at 255 S. West Temple. The event requires registration, but Friday's pumpkin carving will be open to the public.

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