Harvest Festival will take place in Dolores on Oct. 8 and has expanded with more vendors, hard-cider tastings, a beer garden, live music and a focus on the re-emerging orchard market.
“It has grown a lot this year and is becoming a cornerstone of the Dolores festival season,” said Rocky Moss, director of the Dolores Chamber of Commerce.
For the first time, Harvest Fest has partnered with the Montezuma Orchard Restoration Project to promote re-establishing a fruit economy in the area.
“There will be a lot of information about orchards, as well as vendors selling fresh produce from local farms and gardens,” Moss said.
Throughout the day, the “orchard social” will include apple-press demos, apple tasting contests, canned goods, fresh fruit for sale, heirloom fruit tree sales, and pie walks.
Hard cider tastings from regional producers will be available at 1 p.m. and 2 p.m. for a fee, and reserved space is limited.
To reserve a spot for hard cider tastings, pre-register via PayPal at montezumaorchard.org, put “cider tasting” in memo line. Or email morp@montezumaorchard.org to get on list. The cost for the hard cider tasting is $20 or $15 for MORP members.
There will be non-alcoholic cider as well.
The festival expects to hit a record with 35 vendors, Moss said, and there are still spots available. Besides produce, and hot food vendors, there will be arts and crafts for sale also, perfect for early holiday shopping.
Local band, State 38, will perform, and there will be free Galloping Goose rides all day.
The festival brings people into town and coincides nicely with the beginning of hunting season.
“Hunters coming and going into town from their camps can get a taste of Dolores,” Moss said.
“The festival is getting a wider audience and we are really grateful for the Town of Dolores for their assistance in making this a regular event with a presence.”
For more information on the event or vending go to doloreschamber.com. The free festival runs from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Flanders Park on October 8.
