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The Pleasanton Harvest Festival is back at the Alameda County fairgrounds from Friday to Sunday this weekend, this year coordinating its dates with Halloween and including a pumpkin patch and KidZone with Halloween-themed arts and crafts.
The fest, which is known as the largest indoor arts and crafts show on the West Coast, showcases thousands of handmade works, with original art, jewelry, clothing, ceramics, photography, specialty foods and more. There will also be food, musicians and other entertainment.
The festival is a chance to chat with artisans about their products and have items personalized. And the vendors enjoy this interaction as much as the customers.
“I have always loved the atmosphere of the Harvest Festival,” said Lena Hash, a Livermore resident, who sells her organic Coconut Hut bath and body products at the festival. “The quality handcrafted items, people shopping for the holidays, the hustle and bustle of the crowd, and the excitement of seeing my loyal customers year after year.”
A high-energy dance band from San Ramon, Retroactive, will play everything from ’60s hits through today’s songs, and acrobatic comedians Scotty and Trink will perform tricks and twists, and stunts that include juggling knives while balancing atop their unicycles.
Strolling performers, such as Big Mama Sue and Fast Eddie, Fables of the West and stilt walker WC Will, will wander the grounds to entertain patrons as they shop.
The Pleasanton Harvest Festival is partnering with the nonprofit Crown Monarchs Youth Cheer Squad of Brentwood this year, giving it half of the proceeds from all shopping bags sold at the event as well as a direct donation.
The festival has also teamed up with the Alameda County Community Food Bank by hosting a food drive at the show. A canned or other nonperishable food donation will save $2 off any adult or senior admission.
The Harvest Festival began 45 years ago in San Francisco as a place for artists and craftspeople to gather and sell their handmade products. Today, there are nine shows through California and Nevada, and each exhibitor must undergo a rigid jury process to be selected as a featured artisan.
For more information, visit www.harvestfestival.com or call 392-7300.
Artisans aplenty
What: Pleasanton Harvest Festival
When: Oct. 27-29
Where: Alameda County Fairgrounds
Hours: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 27
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 28
10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Oct. 29
Tickets: Adults, $9; seniors (62 and older) and military, $7; youths 13-17, $4; ages 12 and under, free. Parking is $10.