A Plethora of Pumpkin Possibilities
Pumpkin Festival Showcases Local Crop in Everything from Pie to Beer

Folks in the coastal hamlet of Half Moon Bay are passionate about their pumpkins. Every year at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival, local organizations showcase the glamorous gourd in irresistible edible incarnations. The world-famous festival will celebrate its 38^th anniversary October 17-18.

Roasted corn Grilled sausages Mimosas Festival volunteers

Early risers can come to Mac Dutra Park at 7 a.m. and tuck into plump pumpkin pancakes served by the high school basketball team, along with sausages, fresh orange juice and coffee. Those who crave something breakfasty at a more civilized hour can visit the American Association of University Women, who sell “Grandma’s” sweet-‘n’-spicy pumpkin bread and even sweeter sticky buns.

The 4-H Club bakes a pumpkin cake in a low pan, rolls it around a cream cheese filling, and slices it crosswise to form their signature spiraled pumpkin rolls. Pie lovers can choose from the smooth-as-silk pumpkin pie from the Beautification Committee and the heavenly pumpkin cheesecake from the San Mateo County Sheriff Explorers.

Kids will be saying “eenie-meenie-minee-mo” to decide between the delectable pumpkin ice cream from the Episcopal Church, the glistening pumpkin caramel apples dreamed up by the Half Moon Bay Vaulters, and the giant pumpkin cookies with raisins, chocolate chips and almonds baked by the Coastside Land Trust. Discriminating grown-ups (and anyone looking for a delicious yet low fat treat) will be delighted by the warm soft pretzels with pumpkin dipping sauce created by the Senior Coastsiders.

But festivalgoers can’t live by pumpkin alone. The Knights of Columbus showcase local crops in two simple but oh-so-satisfying preparations. They cook up artichoke hearts in olive oil with garlic and Italian herbs, and turn Brussels sprouts into a festival favorite by simmering them in a zesty marinara sauce.

In a salute to the local fishing industry, the Half Moon Bay yacht Club prepares spicy fried calamari and the Rotary Club serves a creamy clam chowder in sourdough bowls.

Barbecue Corn roasting on the grill

The grills will be loaded with plump Polish sausages and hot dogs from the American Legion, burgers and corn on the cob from the Lions Club, and a choice of Portuguese linguisa, jumbo dogs, Italian sausages or chicken-pumpkin sausages from the Beautification Committee. Sausage sandwiches will get a healthy dollop of marinara at the Coastside Adult Day Health Center booth. The IDES Society stuffs a soft roll with tender hot beef, while the Methodist Church serves grilled turkey on a hoagie or a hefty turkey drumstick marinated in soy–red wine sauce.

The Mariner’s Church gets into the spirit of the festival by enhancing their macaroni and cheddar cheese with pumpkin pie spices and pumpkin seeds — a big hit with the kids. The Girls Softball Club’s corn dogs also attract the younger crowd, as do the Boy Scouts’ French fries and Seacrest School’s freshly popped corn.

Mexican food options include chicken and beef tamales from the Cougar Boosters and nachos with cheese and jalapeños from the Coastside Lutheran Church. Wash it all down the hatch with a tasty root beer float from the Half Moon Bay Fire Volunteers.

The beer and wine selections will have a distinctly local flavor. Half Moon Bay Brewing Company will offer its Mavericks Pumpkin Harvest Ale #3, brewed with a blend of pale and crystal malts, and flavored delicately with pumpkin pulp. Sam Adams Oktoberfest, Boston Lager, Blue Moon Belgian White, Harvest Moon Pumpkin Ale, Coors and Coors Light will also be on tap. From Half Moon Bay Winery, a limited-release Syrah handcrafted with premium grapes from Mendocino County’s Redwood Valley will have a commemorative 39th anniversary festival label. It will be available by the by the glass along with the Half Moon Bay Winery’s Central Coast Chardonnay, La Nebbia sparkling wine and mimosas at two booths hosted by the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. The Pumpkin Festival-label Syrah will be available by the bottle at The Beautification Committee merchandise booth.