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Harvest Festival heads to Pleasanton for 40th anniversary show
24,000 handmade arts, crafts to be featured at Fairgrounds event

by Jeb Bing

The Pleasanton Harvest Festival Original Art and Craft Show returns to the Alameda County Fairgrounds next weekend for its 40th anniversary tour.

The show, which opens at 10 a.m. next Friday, will feature over 24,000 handmade arts and crafts, including jewelry, woodturnings, art and photography, specialty foods, clothing, décor and more. In addition to the handcrafted wares, this year's show will offer special entertainment and live music, artist demonstrations, foods and prize drawings.

"Forty years ago, we never imagined how much this event would grow," said Nancy Glenn, Harvest Festival show manager.

"We started as a small community marketplace in San Francisco where artists could congregate to create and sell their products," she said. "Now, we hold eight shows in California, one show in Arizona and one show in Nevada. We're so proud to have such a wonderful group of talented craftspeople and loyal attendees year after year."

The Cash Tribute Band featuring James Garner will headline this year's outdoor stage with musical hits of the legendary "Man in Black" -- Johnny Cash. Also appearing on the main stage will be comedian and entertainer John Park with his "Funny Waiter Show."

For the fourth year, the Harvest Festival will support the Alameda County Community Food Bank by offering $2 off admission to anyone who brings a monetary donation or non-perishable food items to the show. The Food Bank serves one of every six residents living in the county, Glenn said.

The event is also partnering with the Oakley Raiders as the official show charity and will offer the youth sports organization half of the proceeds from every shopping bag sold. The Oakley Raiders also will host the interactive KidZone, which is an area set aside for children to participate in hands-on arts and crafts.

All artisans featured at the Harvest Festivals are vetted by the Harvest Festival management team to ensure products are all handmade and made in the U.S. The juried process also ensures a rich mix and diversity of merchandise.

Festival hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Friday and Saturday, Sept. 14-15; and from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 16.

Admission is $9 for adults, $7 for seniors at least 62, $4 for teens between 13 and 17, and no charge for those 12 and under. Tickets are valid for re-entry all three days of the show.

For more information, call 800-346-1212 or visit www.harvestfestival.com.