Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival

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.

Award-winning pumpkin with small child for reference

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]
YearGrowerWeight (pounds)
2019Leonardo Urena, Napa CA2,175
2018Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill OR2,170
2017Joel Holland, Sumner WA2,363
2016Cindy Tobeck, Little Rock WA1,910
2015Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill OR1,969
2014John Hawkley, Napa CA2,058
2013Gary Miller, Napa CA1,985
2012Thad Starr, Pleasant Hill OR1,775
2011Leonardo Urena, Napa CA1,704
2010Ron Root, Citrus Heights CA1,535
2009Don Young, Des Moines IA1,658
2008Thad Starr, Pleasant Hill OR1,528
2007Thad Starr, Pleasant Hill OR1,524
2006Joel Holland, Puyallup WA1,223
2005Joel Holland, Puyallup WA1,229
2004Joel Holland, Puyallup WA1,229
2003Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill OR1,180
2002Kirk Mombert, Harrisburg OR1,173
2001Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill OR1,016
2000Kirk Mombert, Harrisburg OR940
1999Jon Hunt, Elk Grove CA991
1998Lincoln Mettler, Eatonville WA974
1997Sherry LaRue, Tenino WA868
1996Kirk Mombert, Harrisburg, OR808
1995Jack La Rue, Tenino WA875
1994
(tie)
Joel Holland, Puyallup WA
Pete Glasier, Sequim WA
696
1993Joel Holland, Puyallup WA740
1992Joel Holland, Puyallup WA722
1991Cindi Glasier, Denver CO602
1990Tom Borchard, Salinas CA544
1989Mike Pezzini, Prunedale CA530
1988Tom Borchard, Salinas CA432
1987Tom Borchard, Salinas CA429
1986Arthur Quint, Castro Valley CA526
1985Arthur Quint, Castro Valley CA438
1984Norm Gallagher, Cheland WA612
1983Tom Borchard, Salinas CA408
1982Tom Borchard, Salinas CA307
1981Francis Collings, Petaluma CA337
1980Tom Borchard, Salinas CA275
1979Francis Collings, Petaluma VA349
1978Francis Collings, Petaluma CA298
1977Ray Chiesa, Half Moon Bay CA200
1976John Minaidis, Half Moon Bay CA208
1975John Minaidis, Half Moon Bay CA273
1974John Minaidis, Half Moon Bay CA132
  • 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 25 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.

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