Giant Pumpkin Becomes Beloved Halloween Tradition in Park Slope

A massive pumpkin weighing nearly 1,000 pounds has become the centerpiece of a beloved Halloween tradition in Park Slope, Brooklyn. Charlie Pigott, a local real estate broker, has transformed his brownstone stoop into a popular destination for the annual holiday.

This year's pumpkin, measuring 960 pounds, was transported from Pennsylvania and hoisted into place with a forklift. The gargantuan gourd has attracted significant attention, drawing classes of children and visitors who come to admire it and, for some, to rub it for good luck.

"I wake every morning to the sound of laughing children outside talking about it. And a mom or a dad saying, ‘Get off the stoop!’ By the time I come out, I’m like, ‘You can go on a stoop! You can climb on the pumpkin! Take a picture and enjoy!'" Pigott, 60, shared.

Pigott noted that this year's pumpkin was slightly lighter than the previous year's, speculating that heavy summer rains might have affected its growth. To compensate, he has also decorated his 8th Avenue property with several smaller pumpkins, ranging from 2 to 120 pounds, and bales of hay.

The tradition began over a decade ago when Pigott and his daughter, Elizabeth, found a 100-pound pumpkin on the side of the road in Connecticut. They brought it home and placed it on their stoop, which quickly became a neighborhood sensation, drawing crowds of onlookers.

Over the years, the display has grown in scale and ambition. Pigott and his children began seeking out larger pumpkins with specific characteristics, such as a vibrant orange hue and a thick stem to prevent early rotting. The pumpkins have become so large that Pigott now relies on a forklift for placement, a departure from the earlier years when local teenagers assisted with lifting.

Farms in the Northeast have become aware of Pigott's annual quest and now contact him with leads on particularly large specimens. While Pigott keeps the exact cost of his pumpkin hunts private, he mentioned that a 100-pound pumpkin can be worth approximately $50. He emphasized that the tradition's value is immeasurable, citing the joy it brings to both children and adults.

Families often take annual photos in front of the pumpkins, marking children's growth over time. Teachers from nearby schools also bring their students for field trips, using the giant pumpkins as a learning tool about agriculture.

Many visitors simply stop by to admire the pumpkin and rub it for good luck. Pigott harbors future aspirations for the display, including carving massive pumpkins into edible boats for local children to race in Prospect Lake.

"The pumpkin is a great thing for the neighborhood. It brings everybody together, and this is an act of love and gratitude to the community," Pigott said.

The pumpkin display will remain up until Thanksgiving, after which Pigott plans to carve it and compost the remains. He also acknowledged the inevitable "Great Pumpkin, Charlie Pigott" jokes, noting he has heard them many times before.