credit: miramarevents.com

When you think of Fall what comes to mind? Cooler weather, the leaves changing color and pumpkins…..lots of pumpkins.

For those of you who would like to celebrate the Fall season in style, look no further than the quaint coastal community of Half Moon Bay. The 40th Annual Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival takes place this weekend, October 16 & 17 from 9am – 5pm.

The festival has become quite an event, with a loyal following.  Here is a  little background (from the official festival site) describing  how the small coastal community became synonymous with pumpkins in all shapes and sizes.

The pumpkin boom can be traced back to growers in the area who began to plant pumpkins in the 1930′s. In the early 30’s, teenager John Arata and his brother Clarence began planting pumpkin seeds to feed the family’s hogs. One day, they were hauling some of their pumpkins along Highway One back to the farm when a passing motorist stopped and asked if he could buy a few. The Arata’s sold the pumpkins for a quarter and a booming pumpkin-picking business and tourist attraction was born.

And the tradition continues on today as more than 3,000 tons of pumpkins are grown each year by 15 or so commercial growers in the Half Moon Bay area. They ship pumpkins all over the United States and sell to many of the large retailers in the Bay Area.
Although the focus is on pumpkins, there is something for everyone at the festival…..parades, costume contests, family activities and great food and drink await you as well.

One more reason Altaire loves life on the peninsula. Have fun!

Altaire is an Upscale Community located in beautiful Palo Alto. Now Selling New Contemporary-Style 1,2,3 and 4 bedroom homes.
Altaire Homes 3901 Fabian Way, Palo Alto, CA 94303 | 650.966.8881 Exclusively represented by: Pacific Marketing Assoc. #01220373