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.
| Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival | |
|---|---|
.JPG) Award-winning pumpkin with small child for reference | |
| Status | Active |
| Genre | Festival |
| Frequency | Annually |
| Location(s) | Half Moon Bay, California |
| Country | United States |
| Inaugurated | 1971 |
Dates
editThe 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, from 1971 to 2019, and since 2022.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused the festival to be canceled in 2020; the 50th was deferred to 2021.[1] In 2021 the festival was again canceled, although there was a pumpkin weigh-off.[2]
Locations
editThe 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
editThe 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
edit
- 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. In 2019 the Weigh-Off was awarded the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth's "World's Top Weigh-Off Site" award for having the ten heaviest pumpkins among the 114 GPC-sanctioned weigh-off sites worldwide. The heaviest pumpkin ever to win the contest was the champion in 2023, which weighed 2,749 pounds (1,247 kg).
List of champion pumpkins:[3] Year Grower Weight (pounds) 2023 Travis Gienger, Anoka, MN 2,749 2022 Travis Gienger, Anoka, MN 2,560 2021 Jeff Uhlmeyer, Olympia, WA 2,191 2020 Travis Gienger, Anoka, MN 2,350 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, WA696 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, CA 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 38 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
editThe 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.[4] Parking is limited to side streets or paid parking in lots sponsored by local organizations.
References
edit- ^ Italie, Leanne (September 16, 2020). "Trick-or-What? Pandemic Halloween is a mixed bag all around". Associated Press.
- ^ Bandit, Becca. "Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival Canceled for 2nd Year". Funcheap. Retrieved 15 August 2022.
- ^ "About the Event: The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-off". Miramar Events. Retrieved 11 October 2023.
- ^ Morch, Al (October 13, 1995). "Pumpkin Moon -Get There Early". San Francisco Chronicle.
