Historic drought having impact on pumpkin crop

The search for The Great Pumpkin is an annual tradition for many. But his year, the search may take some patience with the impact the California is having on the pumpkin crop.

"They do generally seem to be smaller which is probably an effect from the drought," explained Allen Levy at Repetos Pumpkins in Half Moon Bay. "They just don't grow if if you don't have a lot of water."

Levy says they've had to import some of the bigger pumpkins from out of state.

"You know the problem is because we don't have too much water this year," said pumpkin grower Jose Bega. "But thanks to God, we have a lot anyway."

Bega said water well reserves helped his pumpkin crop fare better than some others.

"You know the bigger pumpkins look better," Bega explained. "When you make a face on the small size, that's no good."

"Well I'm from the East Coast and I'm guessing this is about the same size that I'm used to, unless California usually has giant pumpkins, " Laura Fried said holding her perfectly round pumpkin."

Her friend visiting from France had other plans for the squash.

"It's not really popular, Halloween in France," Martin Monier said. "I want to eat it!"

Fried chimed in, "He doesn't care what it looks like, just that we can eat the parts we cut out."

While you carve your Halloween Jack-O-Lantern, Monier will be cooking it.

"The best way is a good soup; garlic and croutons and like a pesto on the top," Monier said in a thick French accent. "It's perfect!"

Even if the pumpkin crop is not.

The Half Moon Bay Pumpkin Festival is October 17th and 18th.