Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival Canceled For Second Straight Year

HALF MOON BAY, CA — For the second straight year, the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, organizers announced last week.

In a statement, Cameron Palmer, the chairman of the Half Moon Bay Beautification Committee, blamed “ongoing COVID-related health and safety restrictions and limits on event attendance capacity and no clear forward guidance or timetable from the State or County on when attendance restrictions will be fully lifted.” Palmer also said that it would be impractical to plan the event given the circumstances.

The cancelation means the 50th anniversary of the festival will be delayed another year to 2022. The city’s Fourth of July parade was also canceled.

“Anyone who knows our Board of Directors knows this is a heartbreaking decision, far beyond words, and not made lightly or easily,” Palmer said.

The World Champion Pumpkin Weigh-Off is still planned for this October.

“Much time and effort goes into planning these large-scale, quality events for the community and, unfortunately, as of today there is still great uncertainty as to what the conditions may be later in the year,” said Half Moon Bay Mayor Robert Brownstone in a news release. “The City recognizes this, and understands the position of the organizers and their need to postpone the event this year. Along with the entire coastside and the region, we look forward to the return of the Pumpkin Festival and 4th of July events in the future.”