From flapjacks to fudge, pumpkin finds its way into a multitude of foods at the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival.  Many of the food booths at the 37^th annual festival, coming up October 18-19, will feature pumpkin and other crops grown on the Half Moon Bay Coastside, including artichokes, Brussels sprouts and mushrooms, as well as seafood in honor of its productive fishing harbor.

Roasted corn Grilled sausages Mimosas Barbecue Festival volunteers

True pumpkin aficionados arrive at 7 a.m. for the high school basketball team’s sunrise breakfast of pumpkin pancakes, sausage, fresh orange juice and coffee at Mac Dutra Park. Fans of baked goods featuring the golden gourd will flock to the American Association of University Women’s booth, where “Grandma’s” sweet-‘n’-spicy pumpkin bread is sold by the slice or the loaf (as well as their famous sticky buns). As long as anybody can remember, people have been swooning over the 4-H club’s pumpkin rolls with cream cheese filling. The Beautification Committee serves perfect pumpkin pie with a dollop of whipped cream, which gets some stiff competition from the luscious pumpkin cheesecake offered by the San Mateo County Sheriff Explorers.

Everyone loves the luscious, bright orange pumpkin ice cream from the Episcopal Church. Who can pass up the gooey-chewy pumpkin caramel apples whipped up by the Half Moon Bay Vaulters? For some serious sweetness, indulge yourself in the decadent, white chocolate pumpkin fudge delicately  prepared to benefit the Farallone View Education Fund.

The Knights of Columbus serve the health-conscious market, serving expertly sautéed artichoke hearts in fragrant olive oil with garlic and Italian herbs. And every year they get a lot of “wow, I can’t believe I love Brussels sprouts” comments after people taste their gently cooked sprouts in an herb-infused marinara sauce.

The Senior Coastsiders give a nod to the area’s moisture-loving crop with their delectable Portobello mushroom sandwiches. The famous fungi are marinated in olive oil and balsamic vinegar and complemented with sweet caramelized onions and pesto.

The local fishing industry gets its nod with the Half Moon Bay Yacht Club’s spicy fried calamari, the Rotary Club’s rich clam chowder in sourdough bread bowls and the sweet shrimp cocktails offered by the Half Moon Bay Fire Volunteers.

Where’s the beef? The American Legion will be grilling up hefty Polish sausages and hot dogs and the Lions Club will fire up the tasty hamburgers (with a side of fresh corn-on-the-cob), while sausage sandwiches topped with good-and-messy marinara will be served up hot off the grill from the Coastside Adult Day Health Center.

For bigger appetites, sink your teeth into the mouthwatering Portuguese linguisa, jumbo hot dogs, Italian sausages and chicken pumpkin sausages grilled by the Beautification Committee or the popular hot beef sandwiches on a soft roll cooked to perfection by IDES Society. For something truly succulent, sink your teeth into a roasted turkey drumstick marinated in a special soy and red wine sauce or a grilled turkey sandwich on a hoagie roll by the Methodist Church.

Additional meaty options the traditional crispy corn dogs from the Girls Softball Club. Fans of Mexican food will want to try the new chicken and beef tamales from the Cougar Boosters. And everyone will love the new macaroni and cheddar cheese with pumpkin spices and pumpkin seeds created by the Mariner’s Church. Those in need of a quick carbo load will get satisfaction from the nachos with cheese and jalapeños served up by the coastside Lutheran Church, the French fries (with optional garlic) from the Boy Scouts and Seacrest School’s freshly popped corn.

Craft brew fans will want to check out Half Moon Bay Brewing Company’s Mavericks Pumpkin Harvest Ale II, brewed with a variety of pale and crystal malts, along with pumpkin pulp, giving it a hint of pumpkin flavor. This year’s wine offerings will include Half Moon Bay Winery’s Pumpkin Festival Chardonnay with its commemorative festival label, along with the winery’s Cameron’s Cabernet and Fisherman’s Red (a blend of Carignane, Cabernet and Syrah). The wine will be sold by the glass along with Half Moon Bay’s La Nebbia sparkling wine and mimosas at two booths hosted by the Half Moon Bay Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau. Pumpkin Festival Chardonnay will be available by the bottle at The Beautification Committee booth.