Big Pumpkin, Bigger Smiles: A Brooklyn Halloween Tradition Grows

A Brooklyn resident in the Park Slope neighborhood has taken Halloween decorations to a new level by placing a 1,000-pound pumpkin on his front stoop. Charlie Pigott, a fourth-generation Brooklyn native, rented a forklift to lift the oversized gourd into position. 

Pigott’s tradition began a decade ago with a 100-pound squash, grew to 250 pounds the following year, and has now reached a 1,000-pound pumpkin that he says he won’t downsize again. Neighbors and visitors alike are stopping to admire the display. The stoop at 69 8th Avenue has become a magnet for photos and social-media posts. Influencers and six-year-old fall-enthusiasts alike flock to it. 

While the pumpkin is visually impressive, Pigott notes that it is not suitable for baking. After Thanksgiving the gourd will be chopped up and sent to the compost bin. He has offered the seeds to anyone with a large yard and a green thumb. 

What began as one man’s personal project has become a community moment that celebrates creativity and neighborhood pride. In a city often defined by scale and speed, a thousand-pound pumpkin offers something different — a lighthearted expression of belonging that makes New York feel a little more like home and reminds us how small traditions can strengthen local ties.