# Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival

The Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival is an annual festival held in the coastside community of Half Moon Bay, California, for one weekend during pumpkin harvest season. It is one of the oldest and largest local festivals in California. Proceeds go to local civic causes and to the beautification of the downtown area of Half Moon Bay. There is no admission charge for the event.

## Dates

The annual event is held in October. Columbus Day Monday is the Safeway World Champion Pumpkin Weigh-in contest. The Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival is a two-day event held the following Saturday and Sunday, from 1971 to 2019, and since 2022.
The COVID-19 pandemic caused the festival to be canceled in 2020; the 50th was deferred to 2021. In 2021 the festival was again canceled, although there was a pumpkin weigh-off.

## Locations

The festival is located in downtown Half Moon Bay on Main Street between Miramontes and Spruce Streets. The Great Pumpkin Parade is held at noon on Saturday and runs east along Miramontes, North on Main St, and West on Mill Street. There are two music stages, one at the south entrance and one located next to the food court in the IDES grounds. A family stage is located at 620 Main Street. The associated Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-In is located on the IDES Grounds at 735 Main Street on Columbus Day, the Monday prior to the festival.

## History

The Half Moon Bay Art and Pumpkin Festival began in 1971 with the formation of the Main Street Beautification Committee. The group was formed to raise funds for the revitalization of Main Street, which was beginning to show signs of decay. With an abundance of pumpkin patches in the area, the committee organized an old-fashioned harvest-style pumpkin festival. The first festival attracted 30,000 people. That year only one non-profit organization offered food for sale. The festival now includes dozens of local non-profit groups operating food and game booths, selling everything from pumpkin pie to linguisa sandwiches. Proceeds go to various civic and local causes and have included the construction of two parks, multiple scholarship funds, the installation of old-fashioned downtown street lights, the underground wiring of Main Street, and the renovation of City Hall.

## Traditions

* The Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off attracts growers from around the United States. The weigh-off is held the Monday prior to the festival and the winners are on display during the festival weekend. In 2019 the Weigh-Off was awarded the Great Pumpkin Commonwealth's "World's Top Weigh-Off Site" award for having the ten heaviest pumpkins among the 114 GPC-sanctioned weigh-off sites worldwide. The heaviest pumpkin ever to win the contest was the champion in 2023, which weighed 2,749 pounds (1,247 kg).
       List of champion pumpkins: YearGrowerWeight (pounds) 2023Travis Gienger, Anoka, MN2,749 2022Travis Gienger, Anoka, MN2,560 2021Jeff Uhlmeyer, Olympia, WA2,191 2020Travis Gienger, Anoka, MN2,350 2019Leonardo Urena, Napa, CA2,175 2018Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill, OR2,170 2017Joel Holland, Sumner, WA2,363 2016Cindy Tobeck, Little Rock, WA1,910 2015Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill, OR1,969 2014John Hawkley, Napa, CA2,058 2013Gary Miller, Napa, CA1,985 2012Thad Starr, Pleasant Hill, OR1,775 2011Leonardo Urena, Napa, CA1,704 2010Ron Root, Citrus Heights, CA1,535 2009Don Young, Des Moines, IA1,658 2008Thad Starr, Pleasant Hill, OR1,528 2007Thad Starr, Pleasant Hill, OR1,524 2006Joel Holland, Puyallup, WA1,223 2005Joel Holland, Puyallup, WA1,229 2004Joel Holland, Puyallup, WA1,229 2003Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill, OR1,180 2002Kirk Mombert, Harrisburg, OR1,173 2001Steve Daletas, Pleasant Hill, OR1,016 2000Kirk Mombert, Harrisburg, OR940 1999Jon Hunt, Elk Grove, CA991 1998Lincoln Mettler, Eatonville, WA974 1997Sherry LaRue, Tenino, WA868 1996Kirk Mombert, Harrisburg, OR808 1995Jack La Rue, Tenino, WA875 1994 (tie)Joel Holland, Puyallup, WA Pete Glasier, Sequim, WA696 1993Joel Holland, Puyallup, WA740 1992Joel Holland, Puyallup, WA722 1991Cindi Glasier, Denver, CO602 1990Tom Borchard, Salinas, CA544 1989Mike Pezzini, Prunedale, CA530 1988Tom Borchard, Salinas, CA432 1987Tom Borchard, Salinas, CA429 1986Arthur Quint, Castro Valley, CA526 1985Arthur Quint, Castro Valley, CA438 1984Norm Gallagher, Cheland, WA612 1983Tom Borchard, Salinas, CA408 1982Tom Borchard, Salinas, CA307 1981Francis Collings, Petaluma, CA337 1980Tom Borchard, Salinas, CA275 1979Francis Collings, Petaluma, CA349 1978Francis Collings, Petaluma, CA298 1977Ray Chiesa, Half Moon Bay, CA200 1976John Minaidis, Half Moon Bay, CA208 1975John Minaidis, Half Moon Bay, CA273 1974John Minaidis, Half Moon Bay, CA132
* Harvest inspired Arts and Crafts are represented by 250 artists and craftmakers. Original works are available in glass, ceramics, metals, fiber, leather, wood, jewelry and fine art.
* Food is a big item at the festival. Many food offerings include pumpkin such as pie, pancakes, bread, cheesecake, sausages, and ice cream. Local coastal favorites include Brussels sprouts, artichoke hearts, and Portuguese linguisa sandwiches. All food is provided by community non-profit groups.
* The Great Pumpkin Parade features the weigh-off champion pumpkin, marching bands, classic cars, and costumed children of all ages.
* Continuous entertainment is located on three stages throughout the festival. A variety of music is available from Country, to Blues, to Reggae.
* Family entertainment includes a costume contest, pumpkin carving, games, and a pie eating contest.
* Giant pumpkin carving is provided by Farmer Mike, a professional pumpkin carver that turns giant pumpkins (up to a thousand pounds) into faces and reliefs. Farmer Mike has carved at the event for 38 years.
* Local wine and microbrews offer wine and beer by the glass.
* Other attractions include a Sunday Pumpkin Run/Walk, a talent show, a pancake breakfast, giant pumpkin photos, a poster contest exhibit, and a haunted house.

## Traffic

The popular event attracts more than 200,000 people to this rural community. Major access from the greater San Francisco Bay Area is from Highway 92 to the east. North/South access from San Francisco or Santa Cruz is available using coastal Highway 1. The festival, combined with multiple pumpkin patches surrounding the town, generate severe traffic congestion each year. Parking is limited to side streets or paid parking in lots sponsored by local organizations.