3× World Series Champion Sergio Romo Named 2026 Honorary Parade Grand Marshal
Half Moon Bay’s Beloved Great Pumpkin Parade Takes Over Main Street at 12 Noon Saturday, October 17
Orange and black are taking over Main Street!
The Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival is thrilled to welcome San Francisco Giants legend and three time World Series Champion Sergio Romo as the 2026 Honorary Grand Marshal of the Great Pumpkin Parade, rolling down Main Street in downtown Half Moon Bay at 12 noon on Saturday, October 17.
One of the most recognizable and beloved players from the Giants’ championship era, Romo helped bring three World Series titles to San Francisco in 2010, 2012 and 2014, forever earning his place in Bay Area sports history.
Sergio Romo: An Unlikely Road to Giants Greatness
Sergio Francisco Romo was born March 4, 1983, in Brawley, California. His road to the Major Leagues was anything but conventional. After attending multiple colleges and continuing to prove himself at every stop, Romo was selected by the San Francisco Giants in the 28th round of the 2005 MLB Draft as the 852nd overall pick.
Three years later, he made his Major League debut with the Giants. What followed was a career few could have predicted.
Three Championships and an Unforgettable Giants Era
Romo became an essential part of the Giants bullpen during one of the greatest stretches in franchise history, helping San Francisco capture World Series championships in 2010, 2012 and 2014. Armed with his signature slider, fearless personality and unmistakable energy on the mound, Romo became a fan favorite and one of the defining players of the championship era.
And then came the moment Giants fans will never forget.
The Pitch That Made Giants History
Game 4 of the 2012 World Series - the Giants were one out away from sweeping the Detroit Tigers and winning their second championship in three seasons. Standing between San Francisco and another title was Miguel Cabrera, baseball’s reigning Triple Crown winner. With two strikes and two outs in the bottom of the 10th inning, Romo went away from the slider that had made him famous.
He threw a fastball.
Cabrera watched it cross the plate for strike three.
World Series over. Giants champions.
Romo’s strikeout of Cabrera remains one of the defining moments of the Giants’ championship era and forever secured his place in franchise history.
All Star, Closer and Fan Favorite
Romo’s success extended well beyond that unforgettable October night.
In 2013, he became the Giants’ full time closer, recording 38 saves with a 2.54 ERA and earning his first National League All Star selection. He spent nine seasons with San Francisco from 2008 through 2016 before continuing his career around Major League Baseball. Over 15 seasons, Romo appeared in 821 games, recorded 137 saves and 789 strikeouts, and finished with a career 3.21 ERA.
But no matter where baseball took him, his connection to San Francisco remained.
From Orange and Black to Orange Pumpkins
Now Sergio Romo is trading the pitcher’s mound for Main Street as the 2026 Honorary Grand Marshal of Half Moon Bay’s beloved Great Pumpkin Parade. Romo will lead one of the signature traditions of the Half Moon Bay Art & Pumpkin Festival as the parade rolls through downtown beginning at 12 noon on Saturday, October 17.
The colorful procession features the gargantuan champion pumpkin from the Safeway World Championship Pumpkin Weigh Off, marching bands, elaborate floats, classic cars, community groups, performers and plenty of pumpkin fueled surprises.
Come line Main Street, wear some orange and black, and help Half Moon Bay give a giant welcome to one of the Bay Area’s most unforgettable sports icons.
Welcome to Half Moon Bay, Sergio Romo.
