If you are among the 50,000 people expected to head downtown this Saturday and Sunday for the 39th annual Sunrise Kiwanis Pumpkin Fair, take a look to the southeast from the intersection of Yosemite Avenue and Main Street.
You will see the non-descript Manteca water tower rising above the Manteca Transit Center along Moffat.
Some 15 years ago, there was a movement afoot to change that view.
The idea was to paint the water tower orange and place a pseudo stem atop it.
That way, you’d be looking at what could pass as a giant pumpkin that celebrated not just the Pumpkin Fair but paid homage to the fact the Manteca area grows almost 80 percent of California’s annual commercial pumpkin crop year in and year out.
As such the “giant pumpkin” would overlook what is arguably the largest event each year in Manteca.
That idea died on the vine, so to speak.
It happened after the estimate just to paint the water tank orange was placed at $150,000 plus.
About the water tower
The water tower was built in 1962.
It hasn’t held water for more than 16 years.
That’s because the added weight of the 300,000 gallons of water it was designed to hold failed to pass updated state seismic standards prompted engineers to declare it unsafe in the event of a major earthquake.
In 2012, then City Manager City Manager Karen McLaughlin outlined four possible options for the council in regards to the water tower’s future and the council’s desire at the time to have a giant American flag flying over Manteca as an option advanced by a private vendor seeking to place a cell tower on municipal property.
* Retain the water tank and include funds in the 2012-13 budget to strip and repaint the tank.
*Proceed with construction of a proposed cell/data tower with or without the “post flag” on top with subsequent removal of the water tower in 12 to 18 months.
* Consider the alternative of constructing an 80-foot-tall flag pole in front of the corporation yard administration building to accommodate a much larger flag. Funds would be included in the 2012-13 corporation yard expansion budget.
• Consider construction of a new water tank, either within the corporation yard or at a new, more-visible location in the southeast area of the city.
The council went with the new water tank. A site had already been reserved for such a water tank on Atherton Drive just north of Woodward Avenue and west of Moffat Boulevard. The water tank was constructed the following fiscal year.
The water tower serves as a communication link via various antennas and dishes for numerous government and emergency services communication functions. Those would need to be relocated if the tower were torn down.
Eleven years ago, it was decided the water tower — if it remains in place for use for both cell and data antennas — would have to be eventually repainted. The cost to do that is between $125,000 and $150,000 due to the need for the safe removal of lead paint, improvements to the ladder on the water tank, and new paint.
The water tower, however, has not been repainted.
About the Pumpkin Fair
This year’s Manteca Pumpkin Fair takes place in downtown within the triangle formed by Yosemite Avenue, Main Street, and Center Street on Saturday, Oct. 7, and Sunday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.
It features free admission, free entertainment, free parking, and free fun.
It also will feature ideal weather. The forecast for both days calls for highs in the low 90s.
In other words, perfect weather for people watching, family fun, checking out 150 vendors, and enjoying every street food possible from Lockeford Sausage to ice cream treats.
There’s a Paint and Sip Party with three sessions. The $30 fee covers the 12-inch by 12-inch canvas, needed supplies and of course wine.
There’s a car show on Sunday and the free kids zone events each day at Library Park.
And arguably the best part is the free Kids Zone games such as a pumpkin rolling and pumpkin pie eating contest at Library Park. The fun starts each day at 10 a.m. and goes through 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 and 5 p.m. on Oct. 8.
There are also pumpkins for sale in a makeshift patch. You can paint them for free if you wish, free at the Kids Zone.
The free-to-enter fourth annual Pumpkin Carving & Decorating Contest is also taking place.
You have a chance to win one of four $50 gift cards being awarded for the scariest and most creative in two different age groups — kids 15 and under as well as those 16 and older. The winners also get a trophy that incorporates a pumpkin in the design.
The process is simple for the contest sponsored by the Manteca Grocery Outlet store.
*Obtain your own pumpkin.
*It can be any size, big or small.
*Carve or decorate it at home.
*Drop it off at the beer garden near the main stage at Wilson Park across from the post office on Manteca Avenue on Saturday, Oct. 7, between 4 and 6 p.m.
*The winners will be announced on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m.
*Pick up you entry at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7.
The Main Stage entertainment includes:
Saturday
*11 a.m. to noon: A guitar and vocal act
*12:30 to 2 p.m.: The Suspension (pop/classic rock/harmony)
*2:30 to 4 p.m.: The Sky Kings (country/rock/blues/funk)
4:30 to 6 p.m.: Jim Anderson & The Rebels (Elvis/country)
Sunday
*11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Network
*1 to 2:30 p.m.: Bad Neighbors
*3 to 5 p.m.: Aaron Gayden Band
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
If you are among the 50,000 people expected to head downtown this Saturday and Sunday for the 39th annual Sunrise Kiwanis Pumpkin Fair, take a look to the southeast from the intersection of Yosemite Avenue and Main Street.
You will see the non-descript Manteca water tower rising above the Manteca Transit Center along Moffat.
Some 15 years ago, there was a movement afoot to change that view.
The idea was to paint the water tower orange and place a pseudo stem atop it.
That way, you’d be looking at what could pass as a giant pumpkin that celebrated not just the Pumpkin Fair but paid homage to the fact the Manteca area grows almost 80 percent of California’s annual commercial pumpkin crop year in and year out.
As such the “giant pumpkin” would overlook what is arguably the largest event each year in Manteca.
That idea died on the vine, so to speak.
It happened after the estimate just to paint the water tank orange was placed at $150,000 plus.
About the water tower
The water tower was built in 1962.
It hasn’t held water for more than 16 years.
That’s because the added weight of the 300,000 gallons of water it was designed to hold failed to pass updated state seismic standards prompted engineers to declare it unsafe in the event of a major earthquake.
In 2012, then City Manager City Manager Karen McLaughlin outlined four possible options for the council in regards to the water tower’s future and the council’s desire at the time to have a giant American flag flying over Manteca as an option advanced by a private vendor seeking to place a cell tower on municipal property.
* Retain the water tank and include funds in the 2012-13 budget to strip and repaint the tank.
*Proceed with construction of a proposed cell/data tower with or without the “post flag” on top with subsequent removal of the water tower in 12 to 18 months.
* Consider the alternative of constructing an 80-foot-tall flag pole in front of the corporation yard administration building to accommodate a much larger flag. Funds would be included in the 2012-13 corporation yard expansion budget.
• Consider construction of a new water tank, either within the corporation yard or at a new, more-visible location in the southeast area of the city.
The council went with the new water tank. A site had already been reserved for such a water tank on Atherton Drive just north of Woodward Avenue and west of Moffat Boulevard. The water tank was constructed the following fiscal year.
The water tower serves as a communication link via various antennas and dishes for numerous government and emergency services communication functions. Those would need to be relocated if the tower were torn down.
Eleven years ago, it was decided the water tower — if it remains in place for use for both cell and data antennas — would have to be eventually repainted. The cost to do that is between $125,000 and $150,000 due to the need for the safe removal of lead paint, improvements to the ladder on the water tank, and new paint.
The water tower, however, has not been repainted.
About the Pumpkin Fair
This year’s Manteca Pumpkin Fair takes place in downtown within the triangle formed by Yosemite Avenue, Main Street, and Center Street on Saturday, Oct. 7, and Sunday, Oct. 8, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. both days.
It features free admission, free entertainment, free parking, and free fun.
It also will feature ideal weather. The forecast for both days calls for highs in the low 90s.
In other words, perfect weather for people watching, family fun, checking out 150 vendors, and enjoying every street food possible from Lockeford Sausage to ice cream treats.
There’s a Paint and Sip Party with three sessions. The $30 fee covers the 12-inch by 12-inch canvas, needed supplies and of course wine.
There’s a car show on Sunday and the free kids zone events each day at Library Park.
And arguably the best part is the free Kids Zone games such as a pumpkin rolling and pumpkin pie eating contest at Library Park. The fun starts each day at 10 a.m. and goes through 6 p.m. on Oct. 7 and 5 p.m. on Oct. 8.
There are also pumpkins for sale in a makeshift patch. You can paint them for free if you wish, free at the Kids Zone.
The free-to-enter fourth annual Pumpkin Carving & Decorating Contest is also taking place.
You have a chance to win one of four $50 gift cards being awarded for the scariest and most creative in two different age groups — kids 15 and under as well as those 16 and older. The winners also get a trophy that incorporates a pumpkin in the design.
The process is simple for the contest sponsored by the Manteca Grocery Outlet store.
*Obtain your own pumpkin.
*It can be any size, big or small.
*Carve or decorate it at home.
*Drop it off at the beer garden near the main stage at Wilson Park across from the post office on Manteca Avenue on Saturday, Oct. 7, between 4 and 6 p.m.
*The winners will be announced on Saturday, Oct. 7, at 6 p.m.
*Pick up you entry at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 7.
The Main Stage entertainment includes:
Saturday
*11 a.m. to noon: A guitar and vocal act
*12:30 to 2 p.m.: The Suspension (pop/classic rock/harmony)
*2:30 to 4 p.m.: The Sky Kings (country/rock/blues/funk)
4:30 to 6 p.m.: Jim Anderson & The Rebels (Elvis/country)
Sunday
*11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.: Network
*1 to 2:30 p.m.: Bad Neighbors
*3 to 5 p.m.: Aaron Gayden Band
To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com
