Half Moon Bay's 51st annual Art and Pumpkin Festival, located in the renowned "World Pumpkin Capital," is preparing to treat its visitors with a rich assortment of fall-friendly food, competitions, and events on October 14 and 15. The festivities are detailed in a Mercury News article.
The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off is among the highlights of the festival. Scheduled on October 9, the weigh-off witnesses global growers competing for a cash prize set at $9 per pound of the winning pumpkin. Defending champion Travis Gienger, who bagged the title last year with a mammoth 2,560-pound gourd, will compete alongside his peers. In addition, a jaw-dropping bonus of $30,000 has been offered to whoever can shatter the current world record of 2,703 pounds, as reported in SFist.
The festival boasts an array of pumpkin-themed contests and activities. For instance, pie-eating contests in the Bank of America Family Fun Zone cater to both adults and children. The Great Pumpkin Parade, showcasing floats, bands, vintage cars, and costumed marchers, is set to commence at noon on Saturday. Athletes willing to participate in the Pumpkin Run, a race benefitting the Senior Coastsiders, is another prominent feature of this event.
A plethora of pumpkin-themed cuisine and beverages is another, not-to-be-missed, highlight of this two-day extravaganza. They range from pumpkin cheesecake and ravioli to pumpkin-spiced milkshakes and ice cream. For music lovers, a variety of rock, folk, jazz, and blues performances at four different stages will entertain throughout the festival grounds.
The "Made on the Coast" Locals' Block, on Sunday, October 15, will give local artists an opportunity to showcase their works in various forms, including painting, pottery, jewelry, and furniture. This event promotes the local arts community, with additional live performances from local musicians at the Made on the Coast Music Stage at Mac Dutra Park, as highlighted by SFist.
Since its inception in 1971, the Art and Pumpkin Festival has made far-reaching contributions beyond being a dazzling community event. It was originally established to help restore downtown Half Moon Bay, and over the years the event has raised substantial amounts for civic and community service projects in the coastal region.
Event organizers suggest using SamTrans to avoid the highway congestion, known as the "orange crush," on Highway 92. SamTrans provides transit from various locations, including the Hillsdale Caltrain station, and drops festival-goers directly at the buzzing festival grounds. To optimize your visit, check out the event's website for details on schedules, fares, and parking options.
