Wheaton man wins state title for 2,000 pound pumpkin NBC Chicago [Video]

Joe Adkins, of suburban Wheaton, grows three giant pumpkins every year, and this year, one of his pumpkins exceeded all expectations.

The three pumpkins are on display right in front of his house near Childs Street and Pierce Avenue.

“The most important one is the weight of this one, and it beat the 2,000-pound mark,” he said. “It’s just ecstatic, and I’m super happy that it was grown off of my own seeds from last year…and it ended up becoming over 2,000, which I’ve been working on. That goal has been in my head for years.”

Last weekend, he took home first place in the Illinois Giant Pumpkin Growers Association weigh-off in Minooka — for the third year in a row. The seven-time state champion said his interest began more than a decade ago and knows the pressure is on to break his own record.

“A little bit of pressure …