ARD Harvest Festival returns to Recreation Park on Saturday

The Auburn community gathers to celebrate all that is best about the season Saturday, as the Auburn Area Recreation and Parks District (ARD) hosts its annual Harvest Festival. Giant pumpkins, costume-clad kiddos and scarecrows will flock to Recreation Park, 123 Recreation Drive, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. for the free festive-filled event. "Perhaps the best way to summarize the Auburn Harvest Festival is to say this: It is my favorite Auburn event," said ARD Director Kahl Muscott in an email to the Auburn Journal. "To say it is my favorite event is saying a lot, as I think that Auburn is fabulously rich in wonderful events." A highlight of the beloved event includes a giant pumpkin contest, where it is likely to see a more than 1,000-pound pumpkin. One of the last remaining big pumpkin contests in Northern California, competitors come from all over for the chance to enter their large gourds. The ARD record for the pumpkin contest is 1,652 pounds. Green Acres Nursery is sponsoring the Giant Pumpkin Contest. The heftiest pumpkin takes home a $1,000 prize. Cash prizes also go to second- through seventh- place pumpkins with a $500 bonus for the largest Placer County-grown pumpkin. Also setting the scene at the festival is the Scarecrow Contest entries on display throughout the park. Individuals, groups and children worked to create the unique displays, which will be scored by a group of judges and attendees. Children will have the opportunity to show off their costumes in a contest and parade, led by the popular Sugar Plump Fairies. Prizes will be given for best costumes in multiple age groups for Most Frightening, Best Disney Themed, Best Homemade, Most Original and Best Pet Costume. The event will also feature more than 50 vendors, which will provide treats, games and crafts for young and old alike. There will be a kids area with bounce houses, a climbing wall, rides and more. There will be food vendors on site, including Old Town Pizza, Maria's Mexican Tacos, Get Dipped Ice Cream, Pinorrito Food Truck, Puckerz Lemonade, Kettle King Popcorn, Mini Donut Truck and Carol's Market and Deli. The Bobs Wood Trio, which played at ARD's Food Truck Fiesta recently, will perform in the afternoon. For more information, visit auburnrec.com/events/auburn-harvest-festival.