by Lucas David
The Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off is a competition hosted in Half Moon Bay on Indigenous People’s Day. Competitors travel from all around to have their pumpkins weighed for a chance at first place, where the pumpkin is purchased at nine dollars per pound. The record-setting pumpkin receives an additional 30k, and immortalization as a pumpkin record breaker. The last record set was broken by Travis Grienger, with his monstrous 2,749 pound gourd. Each pumpkin is carted onto a scale, weighed, lifted into the air on a crane and carefully inspected for cracks, chemicals or rot. If any of these are found, the pumpkin is disqualified, but they still weigh it anyway. There’s also a great deal to do in the area: there’s a brunch place named “Johnny’s”. Johnny’s is admittedly pricey, but tasty, and it boasts an authentic breakfast diner atmosphere. The biscuits are delicious and drowned in gravy, and the tater tots are filling and plentiful. Ice cream scoops (chocolate, vanilla, and strawberry) are only three dollars each, if you’re on a budget or just looking for a snack.
All of this is right by Half Moon Beach, a sandy coast surrounded by fields of succulent plants and pathways. A 10-foot drop-off marks the border between the sand and succulents, with the layers of rock sediment displayed like a science exhibit. Getting down to the beach looks tricky at first, since most obvious paths lead to edges that would be difficult to descend, but following the succulents will bring you to a wider path. On your way home, there are many pumpkin patches to pick from if you’d like to drop by and snag one, or get lost in a corn maze and never return. To summarize, next year on Indigenous Peoples’ Day, consider a trip to The Great Pumpkin Weigh-Off in Half Moon Bay. It’s
definitely worth the drive!
The Lighthouse 