Salem Halloween 2026: World-Record Jack-O'-Latern Carved On Salem Common

SALEM, MA — The record holder for the largest pumpkin in the world was transformed into the world's heaviest jack-o'-lantern in front of a Halloween crowd on Salem Common.

Raising Cane's owner and founder Todd Graves and champion pumpkin grower Ron Wallace brought the 3,156-pound pumpkin to the Common on Tuesday, where world-class carvers Eric Jones, Monique Hawk and William Wilson carved it into a Raising Cane's-themed jack-o-lantern.

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"Halloweentown" star Kimberly J. Brown and her husband, actor Daniel Kountz where also on hand for the event, as well as Guinness World Records adjudicator Michael Empric, who confirmed the feat.

"This Guinness World Record Heaviest Jack-o'-Lantern is seven years in the making," Graves said. "It’s incredible to be in Salem for the 400th anniversary and experience all the history in the town. ... I couldn’t think of a better place to share something this incredible."

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The pumpkin was grown by Wallace in Green, R.I., over 123 days before weighing in at 3,156 pounds on Oct. 10, 2026, at the Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off at Frerichs Farm in Warren, R.I.

Verified by the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth, it earned the Guinness World Records title for heaviest pumpkin, becoming the first pumpkin, and the first fruit of any kind, to surpass 3,000 pounds.

The carving team incorporated more than a dozen fruits and vegetables, including parsnips, radishes, beets, carrots, apples, eggplants and turnips, into the elaborate design.

The turnips were meant to pay tribute to the centuries-old Halloween tradition of carving lanterns before pumpkins became the preferred choice.

Empric confirmed the creation's new title for "heaviest jack-o'-lantern," surpassing the previous record of 2,749 pounds.

"This is an incredible pumpkin and work of art," Empric said. "I saw the renderings of what it might look like, but to see it in person is incredible."

Brown played Marnie Piper in Disney Channel’s "Halloweentown" franchise, while Kountz played Kal in "Halloweentown II: Kalabar’s Revenge."

"This pumpkin is the most astounding pumpkin I've ever seen," Brown said. "I'm so honored to be part of this occasion."