Weather Doesn’t Damper Fun at Harvest Fest

Despite strong, biting winds, more than 100 people attended ’s annual Harvest Fest on Saturday.

Activities included a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating, a bake sale, games and music from K-LOVE, a contemporary Christian music radio station.

“The point of the Harvest Fest is to expand [Kingswood’s] events to include the community,” Beth Jayapalan, United Methodist Women’s president, said. “The fest is open to everyone to attend.”

Kingswood’s bake sale, which was held in the church’s main lobby, provides the funds to cover expenses for next year’s Harvest Fest.

“Whatever we make at the bake sale today will go to next year’s Harvest Fest,” Jayapalan said, explaining that the church paid for the children’s petting zoo and prizes for the games.

“I’m grateful for the sunshine today,” Rev. Margaret Gramley, Kingswood’s senior pastor, said. “We’re having a great turnout, and I think everyone’s having a great time.”

The big draw was the petting zoo, with animals provided by The Buggy Whip traveling farm. Llamas, goats, pigs, ducks, cows and other animals were on hand for people to pet. Visitors could also pet and hold chickens, turkeys and rabbits. Staff from The Buggy Whip ensured the animals were held correctly by giving advice and gently placing the animals in visitors’ arms.

The craft fair was held in the church’s fireside room and activity center. Shoppers walked around the tables in both rooms, admiring the handmade paintings, note cards and knit blankets.

Despite Halloween still a few weeks away, Judy Davis was already displaying Christmas-themed decor on her table at the craft fair. “I don’t start too early on my Christmas products because I want to get through summer first,” she said, explaining she usually begins working on holiday decorations in September.

The pumpkin decorating took place in . After purchasing a pumpkin to decorate, participants used fresh vegetables to create faces and hair on their pumpkins. “People just have such a great time decorating their pumpkins,” Laura Kopka, preschool director, said. “It’s also a great way for people come in and see the preschool.”

Todd Nowak decorated pumpkins with his son, Spencer. "I don't know how long it took me to put this together," Spencer said, tapping nails to anchor cabbage leaves to his pumpkin. Todd looked on, admiring the pumpkin's nose made out of brussel sprouts.

"I'm here for the petting zoo and to play games," Lizbeth Gutierrez said. She attended the Harvest Fest with her father, Fernando.

“We attended last year’s Harvest Fest, and we had such a blast,” Holly Whorton said. She paused to watch her daughter, Maya, pet a turkey at the petting zoo. “We had a choice of a few different activities for today, but [the Harvest Fest] is what we all really wanted to do this morning.”