Mini Road Trip? Schedule of Pumpkin Fest Events: Celebrate The Great Gourd This Weekend in Half Moon Bay

Monstrous crowds all “pumped-up for pumpkins” are expected to gather in the “World Pumpkin Capital” to pay homage to the Greatest and Almightiest of Gourds, not to mention devour 25,000 slices of the richest/creamiest/tastiest pumpkin pie on the planet as Half Moon Bay, California celebrates its 44th annual Art & Pumpkin Festival this Saturday and Sunday, October 18-19, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on historic Main Street. HIGHLIGHTS:

Superstar grower John Hawkley’s North American record, mind-blowing 2,058-pound weigh-off champion mega-gourd which set a new North American record at Monday’s Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off. Marvel at and get your photo taken alongside the grand champion gourd (for $15 to benefit the non-profit Cabrillo Education Foundation). Plus, see a special display of the top 5 heaviest weigh-off pumpkins for viewing, ooohing and aaahing.

Everybody’s favorite homespun Great Pumpkin Parade (Sat. 12 noon) with MLB Hall-of Fame legend and all-time SF Giants fan fave Orlando Cepeda as Grand Marshal, the mighty grand champion gourd, marching bands, classic cars, floats, and a charming assortment of costumed ghouls, goblins, gargoyles, and ghosts.

The world’s biggest, heaviest work of “pumpkin art”. Sculptor Peter Hazel, whose family has ties to the very first Pumpkin Festival, is the creator of this massive mosaic sculpture that measures 12-feet long, 11-feet high and weighs 10,000 pounds.. Unlike other giant pumpkins, this one is made of steel, cement, and ceramic tile.

”Farmer Mike” –– aka the “Picasso of Pumpkin Carvers” –– will be sculpting and carving a massive 1,200+ pound pumpkin into a one-of-a-kind masterpiece. Watch this extraordinary talent sculpt, shape and carve giant pumpkins into masterful works of art as he celebrates his 29thanniversary of “official festival carver”.

This year’s Pirate-themed Haunted Barn features live (undead) actors from The Coastside Young Actors Workshop alongside audio-animatronic figures, projected and transparent ghosts, intense lighting, sound, and fog effects, and unexpectedly dropping and swooping objects caused by unseen forces.

Special attractions include features kid-friendly amusements, fun and games plus “Smashing Pumpkins: Battle of the Bands on the Safeway Family Stage, the Comcast Take 5 Lounge with with giant screen TV, an awesome zip-line and super thrilling bungee jump, plus photos and fun with the delightfully rotund, playful and mischievious new Pumpkin Festival mascot “Gourdy”.

Events and contests include a Pancake Breakfast (7 a.m. both days), Costume Contest (Sat. 10 a.m.), Great Pumpkin Parade (Sat. 12 noon), Pie Eating Contests (2 both days), “Smashing Pumpkins: Battle of the Bands” (3 p.m. both days) Pumpkin 5k Run & Stroll (Sun. 8 a.m.) and Pumpkin Carving (Sun. 10 a.m.)

Pumpkin-infused treats … pumpkin pie, pumpkin pancakes, pumpkin bread, pumpkin cake rolls, pumpkin cheesecake, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin ice cream, pumpkin smoothies, pumpkin churros, pumpkin chili, pumpkin sausages, pumpkin fudge … hearty stews of artichokes and Brussels sprouts, tamales, macaroni and cheese with pumpkin seeds, corn-on the-cob, sausages, roasted turkey legs, hot beef sandwiches, baked potatoes, clam chowder. Half Moon Bay Winery’s festival-label Red Blend, Half Moon Bay Brewing Company’s Pumpkin Harvest Ale, brewed with a variety of pale and crystal malts and pumpkin pulp, plus the debut of deelish artisanal cocktails – pumpkin-flavored Jack-o-tinis, classic Cosmos and traditional Bloody Mary’s from Half Moon Bay Distillery.

Navigate your way around using iPumpkin, the FREE Pumpkin Festival mobile app for the Apple and Android markets. Includes a new Find Parking feature plus key fact sheet, information on special attractions, a detailed site map, schedules, door-to-door directions, push messaging alerts, Facebook and Twitter integration, and visitor information.

Other highlights include harvest-inspired arts and crafts, three stages of blockbuster entertainment.

DIRECTIONS/PRESS PARKING: Take Hwy. 92 or 84 west or take Hwy. 1 from the north or south. To get to press parking from Highway 1, take a left onto Poplar Street (right, if you come up Hwy. 1 from the south) then a right onto Main Street one block to Metzgar Street, right at Metzgar into the parking lot.

INFO-LINE: 650-726-9652

WEBSITE: http://pumpkinfest.miramarevents.com

PICTURED: The world’s biggest, heaviest work of “pumpkin art”. Sculptor Peter Hazel, whose family has ties to the very first Pumpkin Festival, is the creator of this massive mosaic sculpture that measures 12-feet long, 11-feet high and weighs 10,000 pounds.. Unlike other giant pumpkins, this one is made of steel, cement, and ceramic tile.

--Info courtesy of Miramar Events.