SAFEWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF
"World Heavyweight Championship of Gargantuan Gourds"
(49th Annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: October 10, 2022, 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 49th 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"
(50th Annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: October 15-16, 2022 • 9am to 5pm • Free Admission
WHAT: The World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival and this year marks our spectacular 50th Anniversary Celebration!
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
OL' FASHIONED 4TH OF JULY PARADE
(52nd Annual) Half Moon Bay, California
WHEN: July 4, 2023, 12 Noon
Parade starts at 12 noon and lasts approximately 90 minutes.
WHAT: Let the good times roll! This year marking it’s 52nd rendition, Half Moon Bay's beloved Ol' Fashioned 4th of July Parade & Block Party takes over Main Street, transforming the charming downtown into a festive Red, White and Blue 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, 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. 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 Block Party with Libations tent selling wine and beer hosted by the Chamber of Commerce plus IDES Inaugural 4th of July Fest. The parade is sponsored by the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee and Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival.
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
(51st Annual) Mountain View, California
WHEN: September 9-10, 2023 • 11am to 7pm (Saturday), 10am to 6pm (Sunday) • Free Admission
WHAT: The Mountain View Art & Wine Festival is "A Festival Like No Other" and this year marks our 51st Anniversary Celebration! 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
