The self-proclaimed World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with a special display of gigantically enormous heavyweight champion pumpkins on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
It includes entertainment with four stages of stellar live music, as well as a home-spun Great Pumpkin Parade, boo-tiful harvest-inspired crafts, home-style foods, premium wines, seasonal craft beer, pumpkin-infused ales, and pumpkin-flavored artisanal cocktails. Also, look for expert pumpkin carver Farmer Mike sculpting monster pumpkins into amazing one-of-a-kind masterpieces, take photos with the gargantuan grand champion mega-gourd, enjoy pie-eating and costume contests, and pumpkin carving for fun. Marvel at the world’s largest mosaic pumpkin sculpture that measures 12-feet long, 11-feet high and weighs 10,000 pounds by artist Peter Hazel, try out the wild and wacky waterballerz, bungee jump, cornhole game area, and more.
Two Sunday-only events are the “Made on the Coast” featuring a local artists block with all-original art and live music, and the Great Pumpkin Run offering a 10k, 5k, Half Marathon and Kids’ Fun Run.
The entertainment lineup includes non-stop live music on four stages throughout downtown by some of the Bay Area’s biggest name bands. Performing on the IDES Main Stage are The Terrie Odabi Ensemble, Featprints, Victoria George and the High Lonesome, Samba Da, Haulin Oats, Robby James and the Streets of Bakersfield, and Jim Stevens & Friends. The Ritz-Carlton South Stage at the Gazebo will feature Los Improvidors, Radiograph, Scott Cooper & The Barrelmakers, and Coast Tribe. Street musicians include Emerson & The GroWiser Band, John Clarke, Bob Culbertson, Ella Harp, and Stephen Dreyfuss. The Made on the Coast Stage features Drop D, Midnight Watch, and the Half Moon Bay High School Band. The Safeway Family Stage features the amazing, three-wheeling comic explosion known as Bob at Large, award-winning children’s performer Andy Z, Eva Cassel, Martin and the Green Guitar, sensational bluegrass band West Coast Ramblers, and tons of kid-friendly fun and games.
Festival admission is free. Pets are not allowed. Bicycle parking is available at Kelly Avenue and Purissima Street.
The event is presented by the non-profit Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee which has raised several million dollars for community service organizations and civic improvements in its 49 year history.