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| Pumpkin week is worth the hassle and it's fun to boot Published/Last Modified on Wednesday, October 11, 2006 3:22 PM PDT First of all, it's time to draw blood from Joel Holland's pumpkins. The Washington man has made a habit of hitting one out of the park with every new Safeway World Championship Weigh-off. Three victories in three years. Sort of reminds you of another oft-accused home-run hitter around here who has a habit of (sorry in advance) squashing the competition. Do they make steroids for pumpkins? Kidding aside, Pumpkin Week continues to be a wildly successful notation on the local calendar. The upcoming weekend events are truly world famous as well as world-class fun. There is something for the whole family and something almost universally hypnotic about the ubiquitous orange orbs; if not for pumpkins you would never see a single shopper snapping photos in a produce field like some tourist at Disneyland. Importantly, in a region desperately hurting for something to occupy its children, the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival offers plenty of fun from the weigh-off, which due to its Monday morning tradition will always be predominately for locals, to the pie-eating, costume and scarecrow contests. Of course, all this fun comes with a bit of pain. Driven on Highway 92 lately? It is true that the pumpkin "theme parks," as one contributor to our Talkabout Web forum calls them, have aggravated an already aggravating drive. For about a month, commuters can expect heavier traffic each autumn. It's inconvenient for those trying to get around. It might even be somewhat more dangerous for drivers and pedestrians. The same can be said for crowds that build up for surfing contests, a new school day and a Sunday church service. Traffic is a fact of modern life - not generally a call to arms. So park the car this weekend. Walk to Half Moon Bay's Main Street. By so doing, you will help rev the economic engine that drives so many Coastside charities. Take time to smell the pumpkin pie. See you there. - Clay Lambert |