Guide To The Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival
Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival
Historic Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA
Saturday-Sunday: October 13-14, 2012
9am-5pm
FREE
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The World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with fun for the whole family. Check out a special display of gigantically enormous, heavyweight champion pumpkins, three stages of smashing entertainment, non-stop live music, the Great Pumpkin Parade, a bone-chilling Haunted House, harvest-inspired crafts, homestyle foods, world-class pumpkin carver Farmer Mike sculpting a monster 1,200+ pound pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece, photos with the grand champion mega-gourd, pie-eating and costume contests, pumpkin carving for fun (not a contest), "Smashing Pumpkins: Battle of the Bands", the Take 5 Lounge with giant screen TV, festival-label wine and Mavericks Pumpkin Harvest Ale.
The festival is presented by the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee which has raised millions of dollars for civic causes and community service organizations.
Related: Check out the 1,775 Pound Pumpkin that won the 39th Annual Half Moon Bay Weigh-Off
Getting There
Half Moon Bay is 25 miles south of San Francisco and 45 miles north of Santa Cruz on Highway 1. The best way to get to Half Moon Bay from the north is to take Highway 1 South from Highway 280 through Pacifica, Montara, Moss Beach, and El Granada into Half Moon Bay.
From the East Bay, travel west on Highway 92 over the San Mateo Bridge. Continue west on Highway 92 past Highways 101 and Interstate 280 to Main Street in Half Moon Bay. Half Moon Bay is 7 miles west of Interstate 280.
From the South Bay, take Highway 101 or Interstate 280 North to Highway 92 West. Take Highway 92 West to Half Moon Bay.
The Pumpkin Festival grounds are located on Main Street in Half Moon Bay between Spruce and Miramontes Streets. The grounds are approximately a half-mile in length, beginning just south of Highway 92.
Related: Photo Gallery of the 39th Annual Half Moon Bay Weigh-Off
Parking
There are several acres of parking at the south end of Main Street, where Higgins-Purissima Road intersects with Highway 1. There will also be parking at Metzgar and Main Street, Half Moon Bay High School (Main St. just north of Hwy. 92), at Seymour St. and Highway 1, and at the Community Center/Shoreline Station complex, located just north of Kelly Ave. on Highway 1. Many of these parking areas are operated by local non-profit groups who charge a nominal parking fee. There is also free parking on several side streets. Police will be citing for illegal parking, so read signs carefully.
Related: Getaway Guide to Half Moon Bay
Don't Miss Saturday
10am: Costume Contest in the Library Parking Lot
12-noon: Great Pumpkin Parade Featuring 49er Great Steve Young as Grand Marshal
2pm: Pie Eating Contest (age 11 and under), Bank of America lot
2:15pm: Pie Eating Contest (age 12 and over), Bank of America lot
3:30pm: The Megatones on the Main Stage
Don't Miss Sunday
10am: Brother Buzz on the Main Stage
2pm: Pie Eating Contest (age 11 and under), Bank of America lot
2:15pm: Pie Eating Contest (age 12 and over), Bank of America lot
Related: Check out our complete Guide to Halloween with costume ideas, spooky movie lists, recipes, and more!
