Events at a Glance
SAFEWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF
"World Heavyweight Championship of Gargantuan Gourds"
(44th annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: October 8, 2018
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 $6 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 14-15, 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"
(48th annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: October 13-14, 2018
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 home-spun Great Pumpkin Parade, a bone-chilling Haunted House, boo-tiful harvest-inspired crafts, homestyle foods, expert pumpkin carver Farmer Mike sculpting monster pumpkins into amazing one-of-a-kind masterpieces, photos with the Goliath 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 Comcast Take 5 Lounge with giant screen TV, ultra-thrilling zip-line and bungee jump, tasty wines, pumpkin-infused ales, pumpkin-flavored artisanal cocktails, selfies and fun with the delightfully rotund, playful and mischievious Pumpkin Festival mascot “Gourdy”, and the “Made on the Coast” local artists block with fine art and live music. Admission is free. 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 46 year history.
WHERE: Main Street, between Miramontes and Spruce St, Half Moon Bay CA
INFO-LINE: 650-726-9652
PACIFIC COAST DREAM MACHINES SHOW
"The Coolest Show On Earth"
(29th annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: April 28, 2019
10 a.m. - 4 p.m.
WHAT: There's nothing quite like this spectacular showcase of motorized mechanical marvels from throughout the 20th and 21st centuries – 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 bi-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, monster truck rides, remote-controlled drones and aircraft aerobatics shows, unimotorcycle drag races, dynojet dynamometer performance testing, a super-thrilling zip-line, bungee jump 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
The Silicon Valley A La Carte & Art Festival
"Spring Into Festival Season"
(23rd annual) Mountain View, California
WHEN: May 4-5, 2019
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
WHAT: It’s time to spring into festival season! The Bay Area's popular outdoor festival season officially kicks-off and celebrates its 22nd anniversary at this vibrant celebration of the arts in Silicon Valley’s epicenter with two 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, artisan specialty food purveyors, health and wellness displays, an organic and green products showcase, home and garden exhibits, festive food and drink with premium wine, microbrews, special #20 cocktails and sangria, a farmers' market with fresh seasonal produce, a classic car show, plus a thrilling bungee jump and a host of captivating kids' amusements in the Tons of Fun Zone. Admission is free. Presented by the Mountain View Central Business Association.
WHERE: Castro Street between Church Street and Evelyn Ave, Mountain View CA
INFO-LINE: 650-964-3395
47TH OL' FASHIONED 4TH OF JULY PARADE
Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: July 4, 2018
Parade starts at 12 noon and lasts approximately 90 minutes.
WHAT: Let the good times roll! This year marking it’s 47th 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, "Pooches on Parade", 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 this year are several new additions including 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, 10am to 3pm), and the classic rock sounds of FaultLine (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: On Main Street in Half Moon Bay, CA
INFO-LINE: 650-726-5705
REGISTRATION FORMS:
General Registration Form
Equine Registration Form
MENLO SUMMER FEST
"Hot Fun In The Summertime"
Menlo Park, California
WHEN: July 21-22, 2018
10 a.m. - 6 p.m.
WHAT: Celebrate Good Times! Menlo Summer Fest brings you two days of world-class fun in the sun. The sensational lineup features stellar headliner music on the Soundwaves Stage at El Camino Real, the Hopsland Craft Beer Tent, What’s Up Photo Booth and Mod Mix Millennial Stage in our buzzing Summerland in Fremont Park, Artsplash with extraordinary fine art and cool crafts by 200 professional artists, Summer Vibes Art Contest and “Express Your Summerself Color Spot”, Mobile Eats with fab food trucks and booths; Deelish Drink with artisan cocktails, craft beer and premium wine, Savory City with gourmet specialty foods; Super Duper 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 Run Happy 5K Fun Run & Walk! Admission is free. Presented by the Menlo Park Chamber of Commerce.
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"
(48th annual) Millbrae, California
WHEN: September 1-2, 2018
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. (always Labor Day weekend)
WHAT: The Bay Area’s biggest Labor Day weekend event, huge crowds transform downtown Millbrae into the “Big Easy” with a Mardi Gras-style celebration featuring two sun-splashed days of live music on stage and street throughout downtown, a juried show with 250 professional artists and craftmakers showing their latest handcrafted wares, festive food and drink, premium wines, microbrews and margaritas, artisan specialty food, a microbrew tasting tent, an organic and green products showcase, home and garden exhibits, health and wellness displays, the “Classically Cool Car Show” and tons of fun for kids with the Streets Filled With Talent Music & Dance Showcase plus an ultra thrilling zip-line, wild and wacky “waterballerz”, carnival-style rides, and an abundance of amazing amusements in Playland. Free round trip shuttle service will be available from the Millbrae BART/Caltrain station. Admission is free. Presented by the Millbrae Chamber of Commerce.
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"
(47th annual) Mountain View, California
WHEN: September 8-9, 2018
11 a.m. - 7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. - 6 p.m. on Sunday
WHAT: Silicon Valley’s World-Class Art & Music Festival is a vibrant multicultural celebration featuring 600 professional artists and craftmakers showing exceptional handcrafted wares, stellar live music on stage and street throughout downtown with a special “Salsa Sunday”, “Wine Haven, Taste of the Mountains" Premium Wine Tasting Tent presented by Santa Cruz Mountains Winegrowers Association, the Comcast Pigskin Party Lounge with football and baseball on the giant screen TV, festive food and drink with premium wines, microbrews, sangria, mimosas and special Like No Other cocktails, artisan specialty food purveyors, an organic and green products showcase, health and wellness displays, home and garden exhibits, sensational young performers strut their showstopping stuff on the “Mountain View’s Got Talent” Community Stage, and action-packed Kids’ Park with ultra thrilling bungee jumping, wild and wacky waterballerz, super cool amusements, fun and games. Admission is free. Presented by the Chamber of Commerce Mountain View.
WHERE: Castro Street between El Camino Real and Evelyn Ave, Mountain View CA
INFO-LINE: 650-968-8378