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Community Corner

43rd Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, "The World Pumpkin Capital Celebrates the Great Gourd"

The World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with a special display of titanic heavyweight champion pumpkins, smashing entertainment with three stages of stellar live music, the Great Pumpkin Parade with six-time Gold Glove winner and all-time San Francisco Giants fan favorite J.T. Snow as Grand Marshal, a bone-chilling Haunted House, harvest-inspired crafts, homestyle foods, expert 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, “Smashing Pumpkins: Battle of the Bands”, the Comcast Take 5 Lounge with giant screen TV, ultra-thrilling zip-line and bungee jump, tasty wines and microbrews, pumpkin-infused ales and margaritas, and the Sunday-only “Made on the Coast” local artists block with music, authors, book signings and a haiku contest. Festival admission is free. Presented by the non-profit Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee which has raised several million dollars for community service organizations and civic improvements in its 43 year history. Pets are not allowed.

Live Music and Entertainment on three stages … the diverse lineup includes contemporary country, Latin rock, salsa, blues, folk, and classic rock ‘n roll music by some of the Bay Area’s biggest name bands. Performing on the IDES Main Stage are The California Cowboys, Big Cat Tolefree, The Robin Campbell Band, Pamela Rose & Her B-3 Party, Extra Large, Caravanserai, The Stan Erhart Band and Jim Stevens & Friends. The Ritz-Carlton Gazebo Stage will feature Wendy DeWitt, Claddagh, South City Blues Band and Rockin’ Down the Hiway. Street performers include Glitterface, HeartStrings Music, Emerson, and Bob Culbertson. The Family Stage features talent from Radio Disney and “Smashing Pumpkins: Battle of the Bands.

Food & Drink ... pumpkin-flavored treats like pumpkin pie, pancakes, ice cream, smoothies, cheesecake, sausages, churros, cookies, bread and seeds, plus hearty stews of artichokes and Brussels sprouts, tamales, macaroni and cheese with pumpkin spice, corn-on the-cob, roasted turkey legs, hot beef sandwiches, baked potatoes, clam chowder, chili, nachos, luscious varietals from Half Moon Bay Winery and Half Moon Bay Brewing Company’s Mavericks Pumpkin Harvest Ale made with locally-grown pumpkins that are roasted with a secret blend of spices.

Events and Contests ... Pancake Breakfast (both days, 7 AM), Costume Contest (Saturday, 10 AM), The Great Pumpkin Parade (Saturday, 12 noon), Pie-Eating Contests (Saturday and Sunday, 2 PM), “Smashing Pumpkins: Battle of the Bands” (Saturday and Sunday, 3 PM), 5 & 10k Pumpkin Run (Sunday, 8 AM), Pumpkin Carving for fun/no judging (Sunday, 10 AM).

WHEN:  Oct. 19-20, 2013. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days.
WHERE:  On Main Street between Miramontes and Spruce Streets in Half Moon Bay, CA.
INFO-LINE:  650-726-9652
WEBSITE: http://www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest/
FACEBOOK: http://www.facebook.com/HalfMoonBayPumpkinFestival
TWITTER: https://twitter.com/HMBPumpkinFest/
YOU TUBE:  http://youtu.be/YCb9GxiLz2I

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