Events at a Glance
SAFEWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF
"World Heavyweight Championship of Gargantuan Gourds"
(46th annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: October 14, 2019, 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 pumpkin is 2,624 pounds set on October 9, 2016 by Mathias Willemijns of Belgium at the Giant Pumpkin European Championship in Ludwigsburg, Germany. 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 $7 per pound for the champion mega-pumpkin. The grand champion gourd (along with the top five overall) will be on display at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, October 19-20, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Main Street.
WHERE: IDES Grounds, 735 Main Street, Half Moon Bay CA
INFO-LINE: 650-726-9652
HALF MOON BAY ART & PUMPKIN FESTIVAL
"World Pumpkin Capital Celebrates The Great Gourd"
(49th annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: October 19-20, 2019, 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. (always weekend after Columbus Day)
WHAT: The 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, smashing entertainment with four stages of stellar live music, the fantastically fun home-spun Great Pumpkin Parade, boo-tiful harvest-inspired crafts, tasty homestyle foods, premium wines, seasonal craft beer, pumpkin-infused ales, pumpkin-flavored artisanal cocktails, expert pumpkin carver Farmer Mike sculpting monster pumpkins into amazing one-of-a-kind masterpieces, photos with the gargantuan grand champion mega-gourd, pie-eating and costume contests, pumpkin carving for fun, the world’s largest mosaic pumpkin sculpture that measures 12-feet long, 11-feet high and weighs 10,000 pounds by artist Peter Hazel, "Smashing Pumpkins: Battle of the Bands", the Xfinity Take 5 Lounge with giant screen TV, wild and wacky waterballerz, a 24’ rock climbing wall, ultra thrilling bungee jump, selfies and fun with the delightfully rotund, playful and mischievious Pumpkin Festival mascot "Gourdy", and the Sunday-only "Made on the Coast" local artists block with art and live music. Admission is free.
WHERE: Main Street, between Miramontes and Spruce Street, Half Moon Bay CA
COASTSIDE BREWFEST
a benefit for Mavericks Community Foundation
(6th annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: October 26, 2019, 1 - 5 p.m.
WHAT: A celebration of the amazing craft breweries in the Bay Area and on the Coastside. Some of the best breweries on the West Coast will be in attendance, offering unlimited tastings of their unique craft beers. The event will feature live music, outdoor games, and local food trucks including Sam’s ChowderMobile and Lamas Peruvian. The Half Moon Bay Brewing Company will also be open for dining. This year’s Coastside Brewfest benefits the Mavericks Community Foundation, the primary sponsor and host of Coastside Gives. Coastside Gives is the annual community-wide fundraiser that supports over 45 nonprofits on the San Mateo County Coast between Montara and Pescadero. Tickets are $35 in advance or $45 at the door, and include admission, unlimited tastings, and a souvenir glass. Designated driver tickets are also available for $10.
WHERE: Located across the street from the Half Moon Bay Brewing Company’s north entrance in the expansive waterfront lot of the Harbor, Half Moon Bay CA
TICKETS & INFO: www.coastsidebrewfest.com
PACIFIC COAST DREAM MACHINES SHOW
"The Coolest Show On Earth"
(30th annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: April 26, 2020, 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WHAT: Get ready for a world of wonder at the Pacific Coast Dream Machines Show, a uniquely spectacular showcase of motorized mechanical marvels from throughout the 20th and 21st centuries at Half Moon Bay Airport. "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, jaw-dropping flyovers by historic military aircraft, high-flying freestyle motorcycle stunt shows (11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm), expert skydiving performances, monster truck rides, unimotorcycle drag races, Bob Senz’ Big Cacklefest – a mass synchronized firing-up of the engines (10am, 12pm, 2pm), plus the What’s Up Photo Booth trailer, 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.
WHERE: 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+, Free for kids age 10 and under with paying adult.
INFO-LINE: 650-726-2328
SILICON VALLEY A LA CARTE & ART FESTIVAL
"Spring Into Festival Season"
(24th annual) Mountain View, California
WHEN: May 2-3, 2020, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
WHAT: Spring into festival season in style at Silicon Valley’s A La Carte & Art Festival in downtown Mountain View! The Bay Area’s popular outdoor festival season officially kicks-off at this big celebration of the arts in Silicon Valley’s epicenter with two sun-splashed days of stellar live music on stage and street throughout downtown, a juried arts and crafts show with 200 of the west coast’s top artists showing their latest handcrafted wares, fabulous food and drink with premium fine wine, refreshing craft beer, artisan specialty food purveyors, health and wellness displays, an organic and green products showcase, home and garden exhibits, A La Car & Art – the big classic car show sponsored by Hot San Jose Nights, plus a super thrilling bungee jump, climbing wall, wild and wacky waterballs, face painting, glitter tattoos and a host of captivating kids’ amusements in the Super Duper Funzone. Admission is free.
WHERE: Castro Street between Church Street and Evelyn Avenue, Mountain View CA
INFO-LINE: 650-964-3395
OL' FASHIONED 4TH OF JULY PARADE
(49th Annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: July 4, 2020, Parade starts at 12 noon and lasts approximately 90 minutes.
WHAT: Let the good times roll! This year marking it’s 50th rendition, Half Moon Bay's beloved Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade takes over Main Street transforming the charming downtown into a pulsating Coastsider take on a mini-Mardi Gras style celebration. 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, 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. Honoring Half Moon Bay’s western heritage and always a parade highlight, there will be a large number of equine entries with prizes awarded in several categories. Half Moon Bay’s famous, 40-member strong “Sitting Marching Band” will be in their usual perch at Main and Kelly playing an array of patriotic ballads during the parade. The Half Moon Bay Lions Club will be hosting its annual 4th of July Pancake Breakfast in the City Hall parking lot (501 Main Street) from 8am to 12pm. Adding to the festivities are the Red, White and Blue Community BBQ hosted by the Coastside Adult Day Health Center (City Hall parking lot, 12pm to 3pm), a Libations tent selling wine, beer and mimosas hosted by the Chamber of Commerce at (Mac Dutra Plaza, 9am to 3pm), and live music (Mac Dutra Plaza, 1:30pm to 3pm). The parade is sponsored by the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee and Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival.
WHERE: Main Street, Half Moon Bay CA
INFO-LINE: 650-726-5705
REGISTRATION FORMS:
Links to registration forms will be posted here prior to the event.
MENLO SUMMER FEST
"Hot Fun In The Summertime"
Menlo Park, California
WHEN: July 18-19, 2020, 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
WHAT: Celebrate Good Times! Menlo Summer Fest, coming up July 18-19, brings you two days of world-class fun in the sun. The sensational lineup features stellar live music on stage and street throughout downtown; the Hopsland Craft Beer Tent, Cornhole Corner and food trucks in the buzzing Summerland in Fremont Park; the Tropical Beats DJ Tiki Lounge, What’s Up Photo Booth and Stay Cool Misting Tent at the El Camino Real food and music hub; Artsplash with extraordinary fine art and cool crafts by 250 professional artists, Summer Vibes Art Contest and Express Your Summerself Color Spot; Mobile Eats with fab food trucks and booths; Deelish Drink with refreshing craft beer, premium wine and sangria; Savory City with gourmet specialty foods; the Super Duper Kidz Funzone with a host of awesome amusements for kids, the Summer Fun Kiddieland with an amazing array of thrill rides plus Fleet Feet Menlo Park’s Summer Fest Run Happy 5K Fun Run & Walk on Sunday! Admission is free.
WHERE: Santa Cruz Avenue between El Camino Real and Johnson Street, Menlo Park CA
INFO-LINE: 650-325-2818
MILLBRAE ART & WINE FESTIVAL
"Last Blast Of Summer"
(50th annual) Millbrae, California
WHEN: September 5-6, 2020, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (always Labor Day weekend)
WHAT: Let the good times roll! The festive spirit and flavor of the Big Easy is coming to the Bay Area! The Millbrae Art & Wine Festival, "The Last Blast of Summer", is the Bay Area’s biggest Labor Day weekend event with huge crowds transforming the city into a fantastically fun Mardi Gras-style celebration featuring two sun-splashed days of live music on stage and street throughout downtown, Art Explosion – a juried show with 250 professional artists and craftmakers showing their latest handcrafted wares, fabulous food and drink with premium wine, refreshing sangria, tasty seasonal craft beer, fresh-fruit margaritas, Bloody Mary’s and Summer Breeze Mules – the signature craft cocktail, Hops Haven microbrew tent, the Classically Cool Car Show, Cornhole game area, Stay Cool Misting Tent, plus Savory City artisan specialty food purveyors, tons of fun for kids with the Streets Filled With Talent Music & Dance Showcase plus an ultra thrilling zip-line soaring over Broadway, wild and wacky waterballerz, exciting thrill rides, 100-foot Super Slide, bungee jumping, and an abundance of amazing amusements for kids in Playland, an organic and green products showcase, home and garden exhibits, health and wellness displays. Admission is free.
WHERE: Broadway Avenue between Victoria and Meadow Glen, Millbrae CA
INFO-LINE: 650-697-7324
MOUNTAIN VIEW ART & WINE FESTIVAL
"A Festival Like No Other"
(49th annual) Mountain View, California
WHEN: September 12-13, 2020, 11 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday
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. Silicon Valley’s World-Class Art, Music & Food Festival is a spectacularly fun celebration of life featuring 500 professional artists and craftmakers showing exceptional handcrafted wares, stellar live music on stage and street throughout downtown, the Xfinity Pigskin Party Lounge with football and baseball on the giant screen TV, fabulous food and drink with premium wines, seasonal craft beer, refreshing sangria, Bellinis, fresh-fruit margaritas, classic Bloody Mary’s and Summer Breeze Mules – the signature craft cocktail, artisan specialty food purveyors, sensational young performers strut their showstopping stuff on the Mountain View’s Got Talent Community Stage, Super Duper Kids’ Park with ultra thrilling bungee jumping, wild and wacky waterballerz, a 24’ rock climbing wall, monster inflatables, super cool henna art, glitter tattoos, face painting, an organic and green products showcase, Stay Cool Misting Tent, Cornhole tossing game area, health and wellness displays and home and garden exhibits. Festival admission is free.
WHERE: Castro Street between El Camino Real and Evelyn Avenue, Mountain View CA
INFO-LINE: 650-968-8378
