Events at a Glance
SAFEWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF
"World Heavyweight Championship of Gargantuan Gourds"
(48th annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: October 11, 2021, 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 $9 per pound for the champion mega-pumpkin.
WHERE: IDES Grounds, 735 Main Street, Half Moon Bay CA
HMB PUMPKIN MINIFEST 49.5 POP-UP
"Celebrate Gourd Times"
(49 1/2 annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: 2021 ONE-DAY EVENT CANCELLED LEARN MORE...
WHAT: "Celebrate Gourd Times" at this year’s HMB Pumpkin Minifest 49.5! The World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with a special display and photos with the gargantuan grand champion mega-gourd, smashing entertainment with stellar live music on stage and street, boo-tiful harvest-inspired fine art and crafts from local Made on the Coast artists, deelish homestyle foods, premium wines, seasonal craft beer, pumpkin-infused ales, awesome canned cocktails, expert pumpkin carver Farmer Mike sculpting monster pumpkins into amazing one-of-a-kind masterpieces, 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, wet and wild Waterballerz, Cornhole game area, selfies and fun with the delightfully rotund, playful and mischievious Pumpkin Festival mascot “Gourdy”, the Great Pumpkin Run – 10k, 5k, Half Marathon and Kids' Fun Run, plus sweet sponsor swag giveaways. Festival admission is free.
WHERE: Main Street, Half Moon Bay CA
PACIFIC COAST DREAM MACHINES SHOW
"The Coolest Show On Earth"
(30th annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: April 24, 2022, 10am-4pm
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: April 30-May 1, 2022, 10am-6pm
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
(50th Annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: July 4, 2022, 11am - 4pm
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 & Festival 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. Organizers have expanded the theme and scope of the Ol’ Fashioned 4th of July Parade to also include a music-driven festival to bookend the parade – Coastside Rising “So Happy Together” celebrates and brings together the entire Coastside community. Coastside Rising “So Happy Together” runs from 11am to 4pm at Main and Kelly. Plans include the "Star Spangled Concert Stage" featuring live music between 11am and 4pm; “Stars & Stripes Mobile Eats Alley” with festive food trucks; "Land of the Free” (But You Pay) Libations Lane” with deelish craft beer, premium wine, refreshing cocktails; the "Bright Stars Kidz Fab Funzone" featuring an ultra-thrilling Bungee Jump, CEF Cornhole Corner, Long Branch Farms Axe Throwdown Cage and tons of fun for the kiddos. The Lions Club Pancake Breakfast starts at 8am. Plus additional surprises to be announced closer to the event.
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 16-17, 2022, 10am-6pm
WHAT: Celebrate Good Times! Menlo Summer Fest 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
MOUNTAIN VIEW ART & WINE FESTIVAL
(50th annual) Mountain View, California
WHEN: September 10-11, 2022 • 11am to 7pm • Free Admission
WHAT: This year's 50th Mountain View Art & Wine Festival is “A Festival Like No Other”, more than ever. An authentic and moveable feast for the senses. The cool, vibrant multicultural downtown Mountain View vibe. It’s Silicon Valley’s World-Class Art & Music Festival, voted Best Festival by readers of Metro for more than a decade. The top shelf lineup features stellar non-stop live music on the Facebook Concert Stage, 150 professional artists and craftmakers showing exceptional handcrafted wares, fabulously curated food and drink with premium wines, seasonal craft beer, low-carb hard seltzer, refreshing sangria, fresh-fruit margaritas, classic Bloody Mary’s and Summer Breeze Mules – our signature craft cocktail, plus artisan specialty food purveyors, Super Duper Kids’ Park with ultra thrilling bungee jumping, super cool henna art, glitter tattoos and face painting, sand art creative cards, Cornhole Corner game area, and sweet sponsor swag giveaways. Festival admission is free; voluntary donations accepted.
WHERE: Castro Street between El Camino Real and Evelyn Avenue, Mountain View CA
