Digging Deep, Branching Out
The Oct. 13 Mimbres Valley Harvest Festival celebrates the community's agri-cultural roots — with fun, games and food for thought.
Building on last year's success and bracing for an even bigger turnout, the Mimbres Valley Health Action League (MVHAL) will hold its second annual Mimbres Valley Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at San Lorenzo Elementary School. Admission is free.
"Based on sales and things, we estimate that we had some 500 people last year," says Sharlene Grunerud, administrative manager for the festival. "We're preparing for as many as 800 people this year."
Once again, the focus of the all-day event will be the role of local agriculture in sustainable community, with live entertainment, craft and food vendors, an apple-pie contest and outdoor games adding flavor to the day. Local multi-generational farmers will make historical presentations and tell their stories, and experts in the agricultural field will offer down-to-earth information on farming and gardening. Guest speaker and agriculture expert Ron Walser will present a seminar on the "Possibilities of Farming in the Mimbres Valley." Judy O'Loughlin, home economist from the Grant County Extension Agency, will demonstrate nutritional cooking from the garden.
"Dr. Walser is an international speaker and agricultural expert," Grunerud says. "We will have county extension people, too. This is an outstanding opportunity for growers. There will be a wealth of information offered."
Beef and pork barbecue plates — made with USDA-inspected meat from local growers Joe Hollister of Gila and Frankie Benoit in Mimbres — will be sold in the event's food court. Local Future Farmers of America (FFA) students will sell homemade ice cream, and the San Lorenzo School will hold its annual fundraiser at the festival, selling enchilada plates.
Entertainment, food, games and information — the day promises to be nourishing on all levels, Grunerud says.
Festival organizers are seeking additional vendors and event volunteers. Vendors must be local artisans or growers of their own wares, not resellers. For more information or to sign up to participate: Kate Brown, festival vendor coordinator, 536-9935; Nancy Whatley, festival chair, 536-3173; Regina Vinson, festival on-site manager, 388-9441; Charlene Grunerud, festival administrative manager, 536-9681. Or see www.mimbresharvestfest.com.
Schedule of Events:
8 a.m. — Vendor set-up
10 a.m. — Open to public
10-10:45 a.m. — Apple Pie entries accepted
10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Farmer's Market, Ball Field
10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Arts & Crafts Fair, Ball Field
10 a.m.-6 p.m. — Food Court, behind school
11 a.m.-2 p.m. — Horseshoe tournament
11 a.m. — Live Latino music by Manny, Heritage Stage
11 a.m. — Kids crafts activities, Ball Field
12 a.m.-2:30 p.m. — Story Tellers, Heritage Stage
1 p.m. — Potato sack race, Ball Field
1-3 p.m. — Ron Walser: "How To Grow," School Track
1-3 p.m. — Judy O'Loughlin: Nutritional Cooking, School Track
2 p.m. — Children's beanbag toss, Ball Field
3 p.m. — Live music by River's Bend, Heritage Stage
4 p.m. — Live music by Bayou Seco, Heritage Stage
6-9 p.m. — Family Dance with Brandon Perrault Band, Roundup Lodge