Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival October 15, 2011

October 15-16, 9 am to 5 pm

The World Pumpkin Capital of Half Moon Bay celebrates its bountiful fall harvest and autumn splendor with 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, 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 (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. Admission is free.

Live Music and Entertainment on three stages ... the sensational lineup includes everything from 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, Bump City, Willie G, Jim Stevens & Friends, The Cocktail Monkeys, Lovefool, Extra Large, and Caravanserai. The Ritz-Carlton Gazebo Stage will feature Top Secret, Rockin' Down the Hiway, Kaye Bohler and The Bay Area Heat. Street performers include Kaweh, HeartStrings Music, Emerson, Bob "Stickman" Culbertson and Jeffrey Michael. The Family Stage will showcase talented young performers from Radio Disney's "Next Big Thing" and "Smashing Pumpkins: Battle of the Bands" featuring the musical genius of up-and-coming rock bands.

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).

Official Website: http://www.miramarevents.com