HAMILTON, Ohio — Renowned grower Jared Persinger of South Plymouth Pumpkins, located near Washington Court House, has done it again. Over the weekend at the Operation Pumpkin & Art Festival in Hamilton, Persinger placed a staggering 2,410-pound giant pumpkin on the scales—claiming the title for the second-largest pumpkin ever grown in the state of Ohio.
The impressive feat comes just one year after Persinger shattered the state record in 2025 with a colossal 2,505.5-pound monster gourd. With his latest 2,410-pound entry, Persinger now officially holds both the No. 1 and No. 2 all-time spot for the largest pumpkins in Ohio history.
Persinger’s top two records edge out the previous 2,388.5-pound benchmark set in 2023 by Bob and Jo Liggett at the Circleville Pumpkin Show.
Smashed Records at Operation Pumpkin 2026
Persinger’s massive gourd was the star of the show at the annual Operation Pumpkin & Art Festival, running Oct. 9 through Oct. 11, 2026, in historic downtown Hamilton.
Sanctioned by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth (GPC) and held in partnership with the Southern Ohio Giant Pumpkin Growers, the festival’s premier weigh-off brings together elite regional growers vying for state and global weight titles.
The family-friendly fall festival draws tens of thousands of visitors every year and features far more than just heavyweight produce:
- Live Professional Sculpting: A dozen world-class pumpkin carvers take to the streets live throughout the weekend to sculpt massive, intricate artwork into giant gourds.
- Vibrant Street Market: High Street is closed to vehicle traffic to host over 100 artisan craft vendors, food trucks, pop-up shops, and local craft beer booths.
- Live Music: Non-stop entertainment fills the festival’s stages, featuring regional acts including Outta Here, The Whammies, ARRA, and the Michelle Robinson Band.
- Family Traditions: Attractions include a Kids Zone with carnival rides, the “Lil’ Miss Punkin'” Pageant, and the popular Sunday Pet Parade and costume contest.
The festival concludes its 2026 weekend run at 5:00 PM on Sunday, October 11.
