39th Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival October 17, 2009

The World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with a spectacular lineup paying homage to The Great Gourd including a special display of gigantically enormous champion pumpkins, three stages of smashing entertainment, live music, the FedEx Great Pumpkin Parade, a bone-chilling Haunted House, harvest-inspired crafts, homestyle foods, expert pumpkin carvers, photos with the grand champion gourd, pie-eating and costume contests, The Golden Gourds Youth Talent Show, The Take 5 Lounge with giant screen TV, festival-label wine and Mavericks Pumpkin Harvest Ale.

Kicking off the festivities, the SAFEWAY WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP PUMPKIN WEIGH-OFF will be held on Monday, October 12 (7 a.m. on the IDES Grounds, 735 Main Street, Half Moon Bay), with $20,000 at stake in this "heavyweight championship" of gargantuan gourds. The World's Greatest Gourd Growers compete for the coveted title and top prize of $6 per pound to the winner.

*Live Music and Entertainment on three stages - the smashing lineup includes Chicago-born bluesman Terry Hanck, The Unauthorized Rolling Stones, Classic Latin rock band Mestizo...

*Food & Drink - tempting pumpkin-infused treats like pumpkin pie, pancakes, ice cream, cake, cheesecake...
*Special Attractions - a special display of weigh-off champion pumpkins, Farmer Mike aka "the Picasso of pumpkin carvers" a bone-chilling Haunted House, create-your-own wax hands art...

*Events and Contests - Pancake Breakfast (both days, 7 AM), Costume Contest (Saturday, 10 AM), FedEx Great Pumpkin Parade (Saturday, 12 noon), Pie-Eating Contests (Saturday and Sunday, 2 PM), The Golden Gourds Youth Talent Show (Saturday and Sunday, 3 PM), 5 & 10k Pumpkin Run (Sunday, 8 AM), Pumpkin Carving for fun/no judging (Sunday, 10 AM).

Free.

Official Website: http://www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest/index.html