October heralds in the annual Art and Pumpkin festival in Half Moon Bay for Bay Area residents. 
The 41st festival was held on October 15-16, 2011 and the festivities commenced a week earlier. The event location was at Main Street off highway 92 between Spruce and Miramontes. The Scarecrow and the Pumpkin weigh-off contest happens on the previous Sunday and Monday (October 8th and 9th) respectively. Like every year, the winning gourd along with the top-five weight-off pumpkins was the prime attraction on the festival weekend.
The route to this popular festival at Half Moon Bay from most parts of the Bay Area includes a single-lane highway for about 5 miles and public transportation is not practical. This combination calls for a travel nightmare in that area for those two days. To circumvent this, go real early and depart early.
Though the festival officially is from 9 AM - 5 PM both days, the traditional pancake breakfast is served from 7 AM. The fringe benefit for the early bird is the availability of free parking in one of the side streets. Several paid parking options exist ranging from $5 to $10 for the whole day.
The following is a summary of the main Events (click for current event update):
Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off
The World's Greatest Gourd Growers competed on Monday, October 10, (7 a.m., on the IDES Grounds, 735 Main Street, in Half Moon Bay) for total prize money of about $20,000. There was also a mega prize of $5,000, for any grower that broke the existing world record (1725 pounds).
Pancake Breakfast
The High School Varsity Basketball Team hosted the traditional Pancake Breakfast on Main Street (Kelly Avenue) both Saturday & Sunday from 7AM and provided plain or pumpkin pancakes, grilled sausage links, fresh orange juice, and plenty of Peet's coffee.
Pie Eating Contests
Held at the Family Fun Zone at 620 Main Street, it was a highly entertaining event with each participant devouring pumpkin pie heaped high with whipped cream – panache and power eating were considered by the audience judges. For children aged 11 and under, the event was scheduled for 2 PM, and at 2:15 PM for those 12 and older on both Saturday and Sunday.
Harvest-Inspired Art
Hundreds of one-of-a-kind handcrafted items by America’s finest artists and craft makers were on display at over 250 booths. Worth more than a cursory look!
Music Stages (click for current event update & schedule)
IDES Main Stage featured folk singer Jim Stevens, R.W. Smith and The California Cowboys, soul singer Willie G, The Cocktail Monkeys, Lovefool, and Caravanserai.
The South Stage at the Gazebo featured the high-energy dance band Top Secret, Rockin' Down the Hiway, Kaye Bohler, and The Bay Area Heat.
Street Performers included Emerson, Bob Culbertson, Heartstrings Music, Kwaeh, Jeffrey Michael, The Sardine Family Circus, and a a few others.
Family Stage
(click for current event update and schedule)
The Family Stage at 620 Main Street (Bank of America Parking lot) featured Radio Disney's N.B.T. ("Next Big Thing"), the teenage wonder Amber Lily, pop and R&B singer/songwriter Jasmine Sagginario, and the Radio Disney Road Crew.
Haunted Barn
Located just off Main Street and Kelly behind 505 Johnston Street (Historic 1906 Jail building) is this barn (open 9AM to 5PM both Saturday and Sunday). It featured live (undead) actors from The Coastside Young Actors Workshop alongside audio-animatronic figures, projected and transparent ghosts, intense lighting, sound, fog effects, and unexpected dropping and swooping objects caused by unseen forces. Every year, creative members of the Coastside Young Actors Workshop wow visitors over with their theatrical skills, fabulous costumes, and spooky special effects. Admission was $5 per person, children 3 and under free.
Others
Other attractions included “Farmer Mike” carving pumpkin up and down the street, demonstrating his amazing carving skill in transforming giant pumpkins into one-of-a-kind sculptures, Coloring Contest, Costume Contest, Mobile Rock’s climbing wall ($5), and face painting ($5) booth. Add to this the myriad food options (not overly expensive for most food booths are hosted by non-profits), several beer and wine options, the “Take 5 lounge” for the couch potatoes and you have something for every taste.
Overall, we rate this event worth every penny you opt to spend…
Last Updated: 10/2011.
The 41st festival was held on October 15-16, 2011 and the festivities commenced a week earlier. The event location was at Main Street off highway 92 between Spruce and Miramontes. The Scarecrow and the Pumpkin weigh-off contest happens on the previous Sunday and Monday (October 8th and 9th) respectively. Like every year, the winning gourd along with the top-five weight-off pumpkins was the prime attraction on the festival weekend.The route to this popular festival at Half Moon Bay from most parts of the Bay Area includes a single-lane highway for about 5 miles and public transportation is not practical. This combination calls for a travel nightmare in that area for those two days. To circumvent this, go real early and depart early.
Though the festival officially is from 9 AM - 5 PM both days, the traditional pancake breakfast is served from 7 AM. The fringe benefit for the early bird is the availability of free parking in one of the side streets. Several paid parking options exist ranging from $5 to $10 for the whole day.The following is a summary of the main Events (click for current event update):
Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off
The World's Greatest Gourd Growers competed on Monday, October 10, (7 a.m., on the IDES Grounds, 735 Main Street, in Half Moon Bay) for total prize money of about $20,000. There was also a mega prize of $5,000, for any grower that broke the existing world record (1725 pounds).
Pancake Breakfast
The High School Varsity Basketball Team hosted the traditional Pancake Breakfast on Main Street (Kelly Avenue) both Saturday & Sunday from 7AM and provided plain or pumpkin pancakes, grilled sausage links, fresh orange juice, and plenty of Peet's coffee.
Pie Eating Contests
Held at the Family Fun Zone at 620 Main Street, it was a highly entertaining event with each participant devouring pumpkin pie heaped high with whipped cream – panache and power eating were considered by the audience judges. For children aged 11 and under, the event was scheduled for 2 PM, and at 2:15 PM for those 12 and older on both Saturday and Sunday.
Harvest-Inspired Art
Hundreds of one-of-a-kind handcrafted items by America’s finest artists and craft makers were on display at over 250 booths. Worth more than a cursory look!
Music Stages (click for current event update & schedule)
IDES Main Stage featured folk singer Jim Stevens, R.W. Smith and The California Cowboys, soul singer Willie G, The Cocktail Monkeys, Lovefool, and Caravanserai.
The South Stage at the Gazebo featured the high-energy dance band Top Secret, Rockin' Down the Hiway, Kaye Bohler, and The Bay Area Heat.
Street Performers included Emerson, Bob Culbertson, Heartstrings Music, Kwaeh, Jeffrey Michael, The Sardine Family Circus, and a a few others.
Family Stage
(click for current event update and schedule)The Family Stage at 620 Main Street (Bank of America Parking lot) featured Radio Disney's N.B.T. ("Next Big Thing"), the teenage wonder Amber Lily, pop and R&B singer/songwriter Jasmine Sagginario, and the Radio Disney Road Crew.
Haunted Barn
Located just off Main Street and Kelly behind 505 Johnston Street (Historic 1906 Jail building) is this barn (open 9AM to 5PM both Saturday and Sunday). It featured live (undead) actors from The Coastside Young Actors Workshop alongside audio-animatronic figures, projected and transparent ghosts, intense lighting, sound, fog effects, and unexpected dropping and swooping objects caused by unseen forces. Every year, creative members of the Coastside Young Actors Workshop wow visitors over with their theatrical skills, fabulous costumes, and spooky special effects. Admission was $5 per person, children 3 and under free.
Others
Other attractions included “Farmer Mike” carving pumpkin up and down the street, demonstrating his amazing carving skill in transforming giant pumpkins into one-of-a-kind sculptures, Coloring Contest, Costume Contest, Mobile Rock’s climbing wall ($5), and face painting ($5) booth. Add to this the myriad food options (not overly expensive for most food booths are hosted by non-profits), several beer and wine options, the “Take 5 lounge” for the couch potatoes and you have something for every taste.
Overall, we rate this event worth every penny you opt to spend…
Last Updated: 10/2011.
1 comment :
Time to start thinking about this years pumpkin season. Happy growing
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