Bearss Groves Farm mourns the loss of giant pumpkin 'Jack'

TAMPA - Bearss Groves Farm has announced the loss of ‘Jack’, one of the two giant pumpkins that became the centerpiece of its fall festival.

The backstory:

For decades, pumpkins at Bearss Groves have been a staple of Tampa’s fall season. Families visit the market each year to see its giant pumpkins, take photos of their patch, and browse local goods.

A week ago, Bearss Groves Farm was celebrating the arrival of its ‘twin pumpkins’, two 500-pound giants. ‘Jack’ and his twin, ‘Jill’, were brought from Wisconsin to Tampa after no local farms had pumpkins big enough.

After receiving the pumpkins, the farm knew they had saved their annual festival. But today, they are mourning one of them.

What we know:

They shared ‘Jack’s’ passing on social media, saying he "couldn’t stand the heat." T