A Minnesota horticulture teacher remained the reigning champion Monday of an annual pumpkin-weighing contest in Northern California where his massive gourds have won the top prize four years in a row.

Gienger’s winner will be one of the star attractions at this weekend’s Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, with an appearance in the noontime parade. (Matt Williams of the San Francisco Giants is the parade grand marshal.) Later, attendees can have their photo taken with the gargantuan gourd. The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.

One North Bay grower competing in the Half Moon Bay for the 52nd Safeway World Championship ... And if it's above that, we're in that 'almost' neighborhood of the California state record." The winning pumpkin will get a top prize of nine dollars per ...