Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival

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Award-winning pumpkin with small child for reference

The Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival is an annual festival held in the coastside community of Half Moon Bay, California for one weekend during pumpkin harvest season. It is one of the oldest and largest local festivals in California. Proceeds go to local civic causes and to the beautification of the downtown area of Half Moon Bay. There is no admission charge for the event.

Dates[]

The annual event is held in October. Columbus Day Monday is the Safeway World Champion Pumpkin Weigh-in contest. The Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival is a two-day event held the following Saturday and Sunday, since 1971.

The COVID-19 pandemic caused 2020's cancellation; the 50th was deferred to 2021.[1]

Locations[]

The festival is located in downtown Half Moon Bay on Main Street between Miramontes and Spruce Streets. The Great Pumpkin Parade is held at noon on Saturday and runs east along Miramontes, North on Main St, and West on Mill Street. There are two music stages, one at the south entrance and one located next to the food court in the IDES grounds. A family stage is located at 620 Main Street. The associated Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-In is located on the IDES Grounds at 735 Main Street on Columbus Day, the Monday prior to the festival.

History[]

The Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival began in 1971 with the formation of the Main Street Beautification Committee. The group was formed to raise funds for the revitalization of Main Street, which was beginning to show signs of decay. With an abundance of pumpkin patches in the area, the committee organized an old-fashioned harvest-style pumpkin festival. The first festival attracted 30,000 people. That year only one non-profit organization offered food for sale. The festival now includes dozens of local non-profit groups operating food and game booths, selling everything from pumpkin pie to linguisa sandwiches. Proceeds go to various civic and local causes and have included the construction of two parks, multiple scholarship funds, the installation of old-fashioned downtown street lights, the underground wiring of Main Street, and the renovation of City Hall.

Traditions[]

Weight of the winning pumpkin in the weigh-off in Half Moon Bay, 1974–2019.

  • The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off attracts growers from around the United States. The weigh-off is held the Monday prior to the festival and the winners are on display during the festival weekend. The heaviest pumpkin ever to win the contest was the champion in 2017, which weighed 2,363 pounds (1,072 kg).
List of champion pumpkins: [2]
Year Grower Weight (pounds)
2020 (Festival canceled)
2019 Leonardo Urena, Napa CA 2,175
2018 Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill OR 2,170
2017 Joel Holland, Sumner WA 2,363
2016 Cindy Tobeck, Little Rock WA 1,910
2015 Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill OR 1,969
2014 John Hawkley, Napa CA 2,058
2013 Gary Miller, Napa CA 1,985
2012 Thad Starr, Pleasant Hill OR 1,775
2011 Leonardo Urena, Napa CA 1,704
2010 Ron Root, Citrus Heights CA 1,535
2009 Don Young, Des Moines IA 1,658
2008 Thad Starr, Pleasant Hill OR 1,528
2007 Thad Starr, Pleasant Hill OR 1,524
2006 Joel Holland, Puyallup WA 1,223
2005 Joel Holland, Puyallup WA 1,229
2004 Joel Holland, Puyallup WA 1,229
2003 Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill OR 1,180
2002 Kirk Mombert, Harrisburg OR 1,173
2001 Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill OR 1,016
2000 Kirk Mombert, Harrisburg OR 940
1999 Jon Hunt, Elk Grove CA 991
1998 Lincoln Mettler, Eatonville WA 974
1997 Sherry LaRue, Tenino WA 868
1996 Kirk Mombert, Harrisburg, OR 808
1995 Jack La Rue, Tenino WA 875
1994
(tie)		 Joel Holland, Puyallup WA
Pete Glasier, Sequim WA		 696
1993 Joel Holland, Puyallup WA 740
1992 Joel Holland, Puyallup WA 722
1991 Cindi Glasier, Denver CO 602
1990 Tom Borchard, Salinas CA 544
1989 Mike Pezzini, Prunedale CA 530
1988 Tom Borchard, Salinas CA 432
1987 Tom Borchard, Salinas CA 429
1986 Arthur Quint, Castro Valley CA 526
1985 Arthur Quint, Castro Valley CA 438
1984 Norm Gallagher, Cheland WA 612
1983 Tom Borchard, Salinas CA 408
1982 Tom Borchard, Salinas CA 307
1981 Francis Collings, Petaluma CA 337
1980 Tom Borchard, Salinas CA 275
1979 Francis Collings, Petaluma VA 349
1978 Francis Collings, Petaluma CA 298
1977 Ray Chiesa, Half Moon Bay CA 200
1976 John Minaidis, Half Moon Bay CA 208
1975 John Minaidis, Half Moon Bay CA 273
1974 John Minaidis, Half Moon Bay CA 132
  • Harvest inspired Arts and Crafts are represented by 250 artists and craftmakers. Original works are available in glass, ceramics, metals, fiber, leather, wood, jewelry and fine art.
  • Food is a big item at the festival. Many food offerings include pumpkin such as pie, pancakes, bread, cheesecake, sausages, and ice cream. Local coastal favorites include Brussels sprouts, artichoke hearts, and Portuguese linguisa sandwiches. All food is provided by community non-profit groups.
  • The Great Pumpkin Parade features the weigh-off champion pumpkin, marching bands, classic cars, and costumed children of all ages.
  • Continuous entertainment is located on three stages throughout the festival. A variety of music is available from Country, to Blues, to Reggae.
  • Family entertainment includes a costume contest, pumpkin carving, games, and a pie eating contest.
  • Giant pumpkin carving is provided by Farmer Mike, a professional pumpkin carver that turns giant pumpkins (up to a thousand pounds) into faces and reliefs. Farmer Mike has carved at the event for 36 years.
  • Local wine and microbrews offer wine and beer by the glass.
  • Other attractions include a Sunday Pumpkin Run/Walk, a talent show, a pancake breakfast, giant pumpkin photos, a poster contest exhibit, and a haunted house.

Traffic[]

The popular event attracts more than 200,000 people to this rural community. Major access from the greater San Francisco Bay Area is from Highway 92 to the east. North/South access from San Francisco or Santa Cruz is available using coastal Highway 1. The festival, combined with multiple pumpkin patches surrounding the town, generate severe traffic congestion each year.[3] Parking is limited to side streets or paid parking in lots sponsored by local organizations.

References[]

  1. ^ Italie, Leanne (September 16, 2020). "Trick-or-What? Pandemic Halloween is a mixed bag all around". Associated Press.
  2. ^ "About the Event: The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-off". Miramar Events. Retrieved 4 Jun 2020.
  3. ^ Morch, Al (October 13, 1995). "Pumpkin Moon -Get There Early". San Francisco Chronicle.

External links[]

Coordinates: 37°27′36″N 122°25′47″W / 37.46000°N 122.42972°W / 37.46000; -122.42972

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