On the 400th anniversary of Salem, Massachusetts a new record in the history books was made as Raising Cane’s Owner and Founder, Todd Graves, set the Guinness World Record for World’s Heaviest Jack-O’-Lantern of all time.
Weighing in at a spooktacular 3,156 pounds, the pumpkin tipped the scale in the legendary village and and a spell was cast. Magic was made from a masterpiece of a carved out massive monument that all began with a dream that blossomed from tiny seeds. A small vision of bringing holiday bliss to the masses was a sweat treat that grew off of a vine of teamwork led by Graves over a few crisp autumn days and moonlit nights of sculpting and crafting before the big unveiling on Oct. 27.
Raising Cane’s
Before a crowd of hundreds who gathered with anticipation to see if the great pumpkin would achieve the award, a testament was made that anything can be accomplished with a bit of old-fashioned elbow grease, ingenuity, and whole lot of love for what one does. Call it a principal of Raising Cane’s that every day is a day for One Love – even as you set out to have Halloween fun.
Raising Cane’s
“This Guinness World Record Heaviest Jack-o’-Lantern is seven years in the making,” enthusiastically stated Graves to the crowd. “More than 1,000,000 come through Salem during the Halloween season and I couldn’t think of a better place to share something this incredible. Each year, I put these giant pumpkins in places where many people will visit because I want kids to be inspired and experience the magic. I want kids to see that they can do anything they set their mind to and could one day cook Chicken Fingers like me, or grow giant pumpkins like Ron, or create incredible designs like Eric, Monique and William.”
SALEM, MASSACHUSETTS – OCTOBER 27: <> Raising Cane’s owner and founder Todd Graves completes carving for Guiness World Record heaviest Jack o’lantern at Salem Common on October 27, 2026 in Salem, Massachusetts. (Photo by Scott Eisen/Getty Images for Raising Cane’s)
The group of skilled workers including champion pumpkin grower Ron Wallace, renowned carvers Eric Jones, Monique Hawk and William Wilson, and Raising Cane’s team member, Sophia Graves, were on site to hear the results of the global achievement.
“This is an incredible pumpkin and work of art. I saw the renderings of what it might look like, but to see it in person is incredible,” proclaimed Guinness World Records adjudicator Michael Empric.“The previous world record for heaviest jack-o’-lantern was 2,749 pounds. Today, I’m proud to say Todd’s 3,156-pound jack-o’-lantern is the new Guinness World Record!”
The pumpkin was grown by Wallace in Green, R.I., over 123 days before weighing in for the wining amount on Oct. 10 at the Southern New England Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off at Frerichs Farm. 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. Wallace’s record-setting achievement provided the canvas for Graves and his carving team, who incorporated more than a dozen fruits and vegetables, including parsnips, radishes, beets, carrots, apples, eggplants and turnips, into the elaborate design. The turnips paid tribute to the centuries-old Halloween tradition of carving lanterns before pumpkins became the preferred choice.
Adding to the dazzling holiday magic of the ceremony, Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo officially proclaimed Oct. 27 as Great Pumpkin Day in Salem and said, “I’m so thankful to Todd and Cane’s for sharing this pumpkin with us.”
Halloweentown star Kimberly J. Brown and her husband, actor Daniel Kountz were also on site for the triumphant day that hosted an audience decked out in scarves to Halloween masks. Better than candy, guests enjoyed Chicken Finger combos and fresh lemonade from the beloved Raising Cane’s food truck. Sizzling smiles were bright and Salem was full of holiday cheer.
Raising Cane’s
With an achievement so grand, it seems as if the masterpiece will be a treat for many more days to come. Graves’ annual tradition of bringing giant pumpkins and extraordinary Halloween experiences to iconic destinations nationwide. Following a 2,471-pound pumpkin at Nights of the Jack in California in 2024 and record-setting displays in Hollywood and New York City in 2025, this year’s celebrations also included a 2,613-pound carved pumpkin at Hollywood & Highland in Los Angeles, alongside displays at Raising Cane’s offices in Texas and Louisiana. The festivities complement the Brand’s seasonal traditions, including its limited-edition Halloween Collectible Cup and “Send a Boo” gift card program.
Worthy of sitting on a pedestal in a museum, the incredible jack-o’-lantern broke records as a gorgeous display of a sculpture crafted with good old-fashioned Raising Cane’s teamwork and glittering shades of One Love. A day for the history books was mastered with the artistry of goodwill and in 2026 it is the treat that we need everyday to light up the bliss.
Happy Halloween!
