SAFEWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF
"World Heavyweight Championship of Gargantuan Gourds"
51st Annual - Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: October 14, 2024, 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 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 2,749 pounds held by Travis Gienger of Anoka, MN, set at the 50th Annual Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. 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"
52nd Annual - Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: October 19-20, 2024 • 9am to 5pm • Free Admission
WHAT: The World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor at the 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
MOUNTAIN VIEW ART & WINE FESTIVAL
"A Festival Like No Other!"
53rd Annual - Mountain View, California
WHEN: September 6-7, 2025 • 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