Every October, the world’s pumpkin capital, Half Moon Bay, invites folks to help them celebrate the area’s agricultural bounty. And California residents come by the thousands for the food, the contests, the parade, the music and the arts and crafts.
Here’s the lowdown on this month’s 51st annual Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival and all the free fun:
BASICS: The festival runs from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 14, and Sunday, Oct. 15, along Main Street, between Mill and Spruce streets. Admission is free. Pets aren’t allowed. Details: http://pumpkinfest.miramarevents.com
THE WEIGH-IN: Not you, the gourds! Will any pumpkin grower be able to beat last year’s record-setting entry of 2,560 pounds from Minnesota’s Travis Gienger? The sponsor of the annual weigh-in, Safeway, will pay $9 a pound to the winner. And there’s a $30,000 bonus for anyone whose pumpkin breaks the world record of 2,703 pounds. If you want to watch the scales, the contest will start days ahead of the festival, at 7 a.m. Monday, Oct. 9, at the IDES grounds, 735 Main St.
FESTIVAL FUN: The costume contest for kids and adults will take place at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Half Moon Bay Library, Church and Correas streets. The Great Pumpkin Parade, with floats, classic cars, bands and marchers in Halloween costumes, will get under way at noon Saturday. The Pumpkin Run, which benefits the Senior Coastsiders, will be held Sunday morning. Pie-eating contests (adult, child categories) will be held about 2 p.m. each day in the Bank of America family fun zone. All day both days, Farmer Mike will show off his carving skills at 766 Main St. Gourdy, the festival mascot, will be making the rounds to greet kids and take selfies. Or you can have your photo taken with the Grand Champion Gourd itself; proceeds benefit the Cabrillo Education Foundation.
NEW THIS YEAR: Head to the south wall of the historic Cunha Grocery to see the Weigh-Off Mural and Plaque Wall of Fame, with photos tracking the weigh-off milestones from 1974 to today.
FOOD, DRINKS: Are you ready for the big list? Booths will sell pumpkin cheesecake, chicken pumpkin sausages, pumpkin ravioli, pumpkin pie, mac and cheese with pumpkin seeds, pumpkin ice cream and milkshakes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin muffins, pumpkin cake rolls and even pumpkin-spiced cotton candy. Follow up with Pumpkin Harvest Ale or a Pumpkin Smash cocktail.
Craving pumpkin pancakes? The Half Moon Bay High School’s varsity basketball team will serve those from 7 to 11 a.m. both days at the Half Moon Bay City Hall parking lot at Main Street near Kelly Avenue. Buy tickets ($20) in advance on Eventbrite and avoid the long lines; all proceeds benefit the team.
The festival’s non-pumpkin favorites will be back too: Look for linguica, tamales, clam chowder, hot beef sandwiches, burgers, garlic fries, corn on the cob, crepes, corn dogs, root beer floats and coastal produce (pumpkin ain’t the only one!) like Brussels sprouts in marinara sauce and garlic-steamed artichoke hearts.
ART, CRAFTS: More than 250 artists and craftspeople selling everything from glass pumpkins to hand-woven clothing will set up booths along Main Street. On Sunday, one full block will feature local artisans with their “Made on the Coast” art and entertainment.
MUSIC: Rock, folk, jazz, blues and more will be performed on four stages. And look for street performers throughout the festival.
FOR SPORTS FANS: Festival-goers can take a break and watch the NFL, NCAA and MLB action on the big screen at the Xfinity Take 5 Lounge, located at Correas Street just off Main Street.
GETTING THERE: Organizers call the line of cars along Highway 92 the “orange crush.” Consider riding stress-free on SamTrans, which runs buses from the Hillsdale Caltrain station and other sites and will drop you off in the heart of the action. Schedules, fares: www.samtrans.com
PARKING: If you need to drive, look for options at the south end of Main Street. If you use the lots run by community groups, you’ll be helping out a local nonprofit. Disabled parking will be located on Purissima Street between Correas Street and Kelly Avenue.
