The Anza Farmers’ Market will host its annual Harvest Festival Thursday, Oct. 1, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. The community celebration will feature local vendors, seasonal contests, family activities, live musical entertainment and plenty of fall fun for all ages.
Festival guests can shop from a variety of local farmers, food producers, artisans and small businesses featuring handmade goods, fresh sourdough bread, nursery plants, produce, eggs from local farmers and more.
Additional festival highlights will include a slew of fun contests:
- Harvest Floral Arrangement Contest
- Ugliest Harvest Contest
- Giant Pumpkin Contest
- Blind Guess Contest
- Day-of Guessing Contest
Cash prizes will be awarded.
Sack races, Joey the Magician and musical entertainment will all be part of the entertainment during the event.
Giant Pumpkin Contest
Pumpkin growers are invited to compete for the title of heaviest pumpkin, winning a cash prize. There is a $25 entry fee per pumpkin. To participate, contestants must complete the official entry form by Sept. 30. Payment may be submitted through PayPal, Venmo or in person with cash at Overland Realty in downtown Anza.
Blind Guess Contest
Pre-event online entry for the Blind Guess Contest ends Sept. 30 at 6 p.m.. It is free to enter via the Anza Farmers Market website. Before the giant pumpkins hit the scales, people are invited to guess how heavy the first-place Giant Pumpkin Contest winner will be. The winner of this contest will win a gift basket filled with items from local Anza vendors.
Day-of Guessing Contest
For $5 per entry, participants can guess the final weight and circumference of the winning giant pumpkins.
The event is free to attend, with individual contests and activities subject to their listed entry fees.
The Anza Farmers’ Market brings together local farmers, growers, food producers, artisans, small businesses, residents and visitors. Through community events such as the Harvest Festival, the market supports local commerce, encourages community participation and celebrates the agricultural character of the Anza Valley.
For entry forms, contest rules, payment information and complete event details, visit https://anzafarmersmarket.com/harvestfestival/.
Diane Sieker can be reached by email at dsieker@reedermedia.com.
