SAFEWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF
"World Heavyweight Championship of Gargantuan Gourds"
50th Annual - Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: October 9, 2023, 7 a.m. - 11 a.m. (always on Columbus Day)
WHAT: No weigh? Weigh! The excitement builds in October every year as Superstar Gourd Growing Greats and their astounding, mind-boggling Volkswagen-sized orange orbs gather for the 50th Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off in the World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay, California.
A special $30,000 bonus mega-prize will be awarded to any grower that breaks the world record at Half Moon Bay –– considered the “Super Bowl of Weigh-Offs”. The current world record heavyweight champion pumpkin is 2,703 pounds held by Stefano Cutrupi of Italy just set in late September 2021. A host of accomplished, grizzled veteran growers are expected to contend for the coveted title, the $30,000 world record prize and thousands in additional prize money. In a pay-by-the-pound system, the winner will take home a hefty $9 per pound for the champion mega-pumpkin.
SEE LESSWHERE: IDES Grounds, 735 Main Street, Half Moon Bay CA
HALF MOON BAY ART & PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
"Celebrating the Great & Almighty Gourd"
51st Annual - Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: October 14-15, 2023 • 9am to 5pm • Free Admission
WHAT: The World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor at the 51st annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival.
One of America’s most iconic festival brands, the all-star lineup includes keepsake photos with the gargantuan grand champion mega-gourd, a spectacular display of Volkswagen-sized heavyweight champion pumpkins, smashing entertainment with four stages of stellar live music, the fantastically fun home-spun Great Pumpkin Parade, stunning harvest-inspired art and fine crafts, delectable homestyle foods, premium wines, seasonal craft beer, pumpkin-infused ales, pumpkin-flavored artisan cocktails, expert pumpkin carver Farmer Mike ("the Picasso of pumpkin carvers") sculpting monster pumpkins into amazing one-of-a-kind masterpieces, pie-eating and costume contests, pumpkin carving for fun, the Take 5 Lounge with giant screen TV, selfies and fun with the delightfully rotund, playful and mischievious Pumpkin Festival mascot "Gourdy", the Sunday-only "Made on the Coast" local artists block with art and live music, the Sunday-only Great Pumpkin Run – 10k, 5k, Half Marathon and Kids’ Fun Run, Cornhole tossing game area, an organic and green products showcase, health and wellness displays, home and garden exhibits plus awesome sponsor product samples and swag giveaways. Admission is free.
SEE LESSWHERE: Main Street, Half Moon Bay CA
PACIFIC COAST DREAM MACHINES SHOW
"The Coolest Show On Earth"
31st Annual - Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: April 28, 2024, 10am-4pm
WHAT: Get ready for a world of wonder at the 31st annual Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show, a uniquely spectacular showcase of motorized mechanical marvels from the 20th and 21st centuries. "The Coolest Show On Earth" features a mesmerizing array of more than 2,000 ultra cool antique, vintage, classic, custom and exotic machines of all kinds on display for public viewing.
Automobiles ranging from hot rods, dragsters, customs, low riders, imports, street machines and muscle cars to fanciful touring, luxury, and sports cars; also exceptional vintage warbirds, classics from the 40’s and 50’s and homebuilt aircraft, tricked out trucks and motorcycles, military and SWAT vehicles, a special display of vintage police cars, world-record streamliners, model-T fire engines, antique engines and tractors, helicopter and plane rides, custom bicycles, kinetic art, rolling sculptures, extreme toys, mega-modified machines, advanced "green" technology vehicles, monster truck rides, unimotorcycle drag races, Bob Senz’ Big Cacklefest – a mass synchronized firing-up of the engines (10am, 12pm, 2pm), a special new "Machines of Tomorrow" showcase with fascinating displays of all things to come in the next-generation of transportation – concept cars, flying cars, robotics, autonomous vehicles, EVs and more, a super-thrilling bungee jump, waterballerz, climbing wall and tons of kid’s amusements, fabulous food and drink, and stellar live music—to benefit the Coastside Adult Day Health Center.
SEE LESSWHERE: Half Moon Bay Airport, 9850 N. Cabrillo Highway, Half Moon Bay CA
ADMISSION: $25 in advance or $30 at the gate for adults age 18-64, $15 in advance or $20 at the gate for ages 11-17 and 65+, and free for kids age 10 and under with paying adult.
Registration and tickets links will be available here in advance of the event.
UNION STREET FESTIVAL
"Kicking Off Summer In The City"
46th Annual - San Francisco, California
WHEN: June 1-2, 2024 • Admission is free
WHAT: Cruise or walk on over, ride your bike or scooter, catch a ride share or Muni and kickoff Summer In The City at the iconic Union Street Festival. Located in the Historic Cow Hollow district in San Francisco, on Union Street between Gough and Filmore. Enjoy the City’s best festival lineup of exceptional non-stop live music, top shelf craft food and drinks, high-end handmade arts and crafts, and awesome Kidzone fun!
WHERE: Union Street between Gough and Filmore, San Francisco CA
GO TO WEBSITE
OL‚ FASHIONED 4TH OF JULY PARADE
"Let The Good Times Roll"
53rd Annual - Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: July 4, 2024, 12 Noon
Parade starts at 12 noon and lasts approximately 90 minutes.
WHAT: Let the good times roll! This year marking it’s 53rd rendition, Half Moon Bay's beloved Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade along with a Pancake Breakfast, Block Party & Festival takes over Main Street, transforming the charming downtown into a festive Red, White and Blue celebration. The parade starts at 12 noon and lasts approximately 90 minutes.
A time-honored, home-spun tradition, the parade celebrates Independence Day in small town America with an entertaining array of whimsical floats, marching bands, horses, community service groups, classically cool cars, decorated trikes and bikes, parading pooches, youth sports teams, dance and theatre troupes, photos and fun with the delightfully rotund, playful and mischievious Pumpkin Festival mascot “Gourdy”, a Color Guard by the American Legion, and local dignitaries and celebrities slowly winding their way through the crowded downtown along Main Street between Filbert and Mill Streets.
SEE LESSWHERE: Main Street, Half Moon Bay CA
INFO-LINE: 650-726-5705
REGISTRATION FORMS:
Links to parade registration forms will be posted here prior to the event.
MOUNTAIN VIEW ART & WINE FESTIVAL
"A Festival Like No Other!"
52nd Annual - Mountain View, California
WHEN: September 7-8, 2024 • 11am to 7pm (Saturday), 10am to 6pm (Sunday) • Free Admission
WHAT: The Mountain View Art & Wine Festival is "A Festival Like No Other", an authentic and moveable feast for the senses. The cool, vibrant, multicultural Castro Street vibe. It’s Silicon Valley’s World-Class Art, Music & Food Festival, voted Best Festival by Metro readership for more than a decade.
The festival is a spectacularly fun celebration of life with a top shelf lineup featuring 400 of America’s finest artists and craftmakers showing exceptional handcrafted wares, stellar live music on stage and street throughout downtown, the Pigskin Party Lounge with football and baseball on the giant screen TV, fabulously curated food and drink purveyors with premium wines, seasonal craft beer, and signature cocktails, artisan specialty food makers, sensational young performers strut their showstopping stuff on the Mountain View’s Got Talent Community Stage, the Kidz Fab Funzone with action-packed fun and games, Cornhole tossing game area, an organic and green products showcase, health and wellness displays, home and garden exhibits plus awesome sponsor product samples and swag giveaways. Festival admission is free.
SEE LESSWHERE: Castro Street between El Camino Real and Evelyn Avenue, Mountain View CA
