And the Winner Is….

Pumpkin Weigh-off Winner (source: sfgate.com)

Wow, we just had to let everyone know that the Pumpkin Weigh-off in Half Moon Bay was full of “Great Pumpkins!”  But the winner came all the way from Des Moines, Iowa and weighed in at a whopping 1,658 pounds!  That’s a lotta Pumpkin Pie folks!

From the photos it seems that everyone young and old had a great time! 

We just loved the photo of the cute puppy in a pumpkin outfit!  We couldn’t help but notice the photo of the wife of Half Moon Bay’s mayor, Eda Muller, with her granddaughter Delfina Bianchi, 4 – Delfina is wearing le•top’s boucle jacket in PUMPKIN color from the Enchanted group!  She is carrying one of le•top’s pumpkin goody bags as well – nice choice! 

Happy Pumpkin Festival to all our friends in Half Moon Bay!

The Mayor's wife, Eda Muller (far left) and her granddaughter Delfina (source: sfgate.com)

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Good Grief! A Thousand Pound Pumpkin???

Here in the San Francisco Bay Area October marks the time of year when you begin to notice changes in temperature and leaves turning from a beautiful green to a more dramatic orange-yellow. Halloween is just a few weeks away and there is excitement in the air as boys and girls decide which all-important costume they will choose. For one Northern California town October marks the time of year when the final preparations are made for their very well known festival.

Pumpkins Galore at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival

Half Moon Bay California, located just 30 miles south of San Francisco, is celebrating their 39^th annual Art & Pumpkin Festival from October 17^th through October 18^th.  This festival began in 1971 when a newly formed civic organization, The Main Street Beautification Committee, was founded to raise funds to revitalize Main Street in the charming Half Moon Bay downtown shopping district. The committee, realizing that pumpkin patches surrounded the area, decided to incorporate an old-fashioned downtown festival into many visitor’s annual trek to pick out their Halloween pumpkins from this well known home of superior pumpkin growers.  38 years later the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival attracts thousands of people from all over the Bay Area and beyond, and is still committing the proceeds to revitalizing the downtown area and contributing to the town’s civic causes.

The kickoff for the festival is HUGE – literally!  Today, Columbus Day, Monday October 12^th it begins with the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh-Off with a $20,000 prize at stake!  Pumpkins weighing in at more than 1,000 pounds are brought in every year by proud growers and their families.  The following weekend of October 17^th through October 18^th pumpkin lovers flock to this charming ocean front town to celebrate the season of ‘orange!’

Otto and this Halloween's Great Pumpkin

The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is not limited to big orange vegetables!  It features live music and entertainment on three stages – ranging from pop reggae to classic and Celtic rock. Of course what would a festival be without food?  You will find every tempting pumpkin-infused treat imaginable – and then some!  Halloween is just around the corner, as is a very scary Haunted House!  Not into scary things?  There are other activities for the little ones, including amusement rides, a 24-foot climbing wall, pumpkin carving, pie eating contests, face painting and so much more!

The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival has become a tradition for many families and friends.  It is a great place to come together and enjoy one of California’s oldest, biggest and most popular festivals.  Good Grief!  Don’t miss out!

For more information visit www.miramarevents.com/pumpkinfest/#

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Is that P Cottontail Peeking through the Pumpkin Patch?

P Cottontail's Historic Downtown Store Front

Nestled away in the quaint ocean-side town of Half Moon Bay you can find the home of P Cottontail…yes, look… right there in the historic Main Street shopping district!  Not a bunny…but a darling children’s boutique that will soon be celebrating its 25th anniversary as part of this unique community.  Half Moon Bay, founded in the 1840’s was the first settlement in San Mateo County California, around 30 miles south of San Francisco.  The beautiful locale, a stone’s throw from the Pacific Ocean boasts postcard perfect vistas that include whale watching, acres of flowers, 2 lighthouses, redwood preserves, wineries, golf courses, luxury hotels and charming inns and a historic Main Street with unique shops.  This is where we find Peter Cottontail’s ‘home’ – not situated next to Mr. McGregor’s garden, but rather in a vacation ‘destination’ for lucky residents and tourists alike.

Sandra Murphy took over P Cottontail & Co a few years ago, but had known of the unique children’s boutique for years and “Really wanted it!”  She loves seeing the little babies that come into the store grow up and says “They are like my own little family!”  When asked what was the key to her success the answer was simple, yet succinct, “Very, Very, Very hard work!”  Sandra remembers that a friend once told her “Remember the first word in Specialty Store is ‘Special’ – and I have always tried to remember that!”  The area locals love merchandise that reflects the community – especially the horse lovers and world class surfers that frequent the store.  A local customer commented:

Stocked up on Le Top Halloween costumes

“I have always found this store to have the kind of clothing that makes shopping local a unique experience. Informative, attentive and friendly service, plus you actually get to deal with the same person the next time. The last time we went in, the sales person remembered my son’s name. He was thrilled and I was impressed.”

Sandra’s customers have even included some celebrities that stay in the beautiful Ritz Carlton nearby – including Angie Harmon and Brad Pitt!  Of course she stocks up with appealing and distinctive items at this time of year in preparation for the scores of tourists that will soon arrive…as she gears up for Half Moon Bay’s well known Art and Pumpkin Festival! (Check back on Monday to see more about this) 

Sandra’s good friends and family all pitch in to help at P Cottontail for this amazing community event – so popular that it attracts tourists from all over!  She is stocked up with lots of Halloween costumes – ready for all the festivities.  They have a costume parade, and as Sandra says, “Pumpkin Everything!” – including the weigh-in for the biggest pumpkin, pumpkin carving, pumpkin muffins, cookies and pancakes and lots of fun!

If you are a fan of the ‘Great Pumpkin’ – or just want to have a beautiful and relaxing break – make a visit to Half Moon Bay.  Stop in and say hello to Sandra, she is really fun!  After all, she’s the one that quotes “I LOVE Le Top!”

P Cottontail & Co
527 Main Street
Half Moon Bay, CA 94019
650.726.0200

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