Harvest Festivals : Southland Heralds Autumn With Joyous Celebrations

The 61st Los Angeles County Fair opens today, and many of the county’s farmers are expected to descend on Pomona to display the products of their labor. This annual tribute to the American farmer will showcase wines and honey and dairy goods. There’ll also be livestock and horse shows and pig races and camel rides.

It’s a time of celebration--especially for the kids. There’ll be magical and musical acts; Ferris wheels and whirligigs. And, of course, cotton candy and popcorn.

Hours are: Mondays through Thursdays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturdays, 9 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sundays, 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission: $7; for those aged 60 and over, $5.50 (weekdays); $4 for ages 6-12. For information, call (714) 623-3111.

The countywide fair, running through Oct. 2, represents the symbol of the harvest and is but one of the many harvest festivals scheduled throughout the Southland.

Here are others to enjoy:

Ballard Canyon Winery Harvest Festival and Great Grape Stomp, 1825 Ballard Canyon Road, Solvang. Oct. 1, 8 and 15. Hours: 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission: $40. Must be 21 to attend. No tickets sold at gate. Reservations, by mail. (805) 688-7585.

Here, the vineyard is open for a “pick-your-own harvest,” which ends in the Great Grape Stomp where participants crush the grapes the old-fashioned way. The event includes entertainment, demonstrations in wine cookery, wine tasting and a barbecue.

Buttonwillow Cotton Harvest Festival, Buttonwillow Park, Buttonwillow. Saturday, from 2-10 p.m. Free admission. (805) 764-5406.

The town is giving farmers a kickoff party before the actual cotton picking starts in October. A cotton princess will ride in a parade. There will be game booths, a barbecue--and cotton candy. Dancing starts at 7. (805) 764-5406.

Delano Wine and Harvest Festival, Memorial Park, Lexington Ave., Delano. Oct. 6, 5-midnight; Oct. 7-9, noon-midnight. Admission: 12 and over $2; 6-12 $1; Seniors $2. (805) 725-3012.

The area around Delano is famous for a variety of agricultural products harvested each year, namely grapes. Runners will compete in a Great Grape Run on Saturday morning. On exhibit will be cotton and almonds and other area products including alfalfa, asparagus and raisins. A junior livestock show and auction is planned. Dixieland jazz and rock music, plus a Spanish language concert are part of the program, “Country Fun for Everyone.”

California Avocado Festival, Linden Avenue, Carpinteria. Oct. 1, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Oct. 2, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: Free. (805) 684-1167.

Santa Barbara County, which produces a sizable portion of this country’s avocado crop, honors it with a small-town festival. The avocado will appear at the fair in interesting guises, notably in pies and ice cream.

Los Angeles Harvest Festival and Christmas Crafts Market, the Convention Center, 1201 S. Figueroa St. Oct. 14, noon-9 p.m.; Oct. 15, 10 a.m.-9 p.m. and Oct. 16, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Admission $5.50; Children 6-11 $2.50. (213) 748-8531.

A step back in time places you in a 19th-Century village atmosphere. Costumed artisans sell hand-made crafts. There will be entertainment, jugglers, acrobats and bluegrass bands. Produce for sale. Regional foods.

Rancho Cucamonga Grape Harvest Festival at Guasti Regional Park, 800 Archibald Ave., Cucamonga. Oct. 6, 6-9 p.m.; Oct. 7, 6-midnight; Oct. 8, 11 a.m.-midnight; Oct. 9, 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission: $5; senior citizens $3; ages 12 and under free. (714) 987-1012.

One of California’s oldest grape festivals--the first grapes were planted in the area in 1839--the event features grape-stomping contests for adults, children. Dancing to the music of the ‘60s and ‘70s; Saturday, tunes of the ‘50s.

Santa Paula Sixth Annual Harvest Festival, Main St., Santa Paula. Sunday, 11 a.m.-dark. Free admission. (805) 525-2708.

In this agricultural area where farmers produce avocados and both Valencia and navel oranges, as well as seeds for Burpee, fall is truly a season to celebrate. The festival has something for everyone: food booths, entertainment, arts and crafts booths, displays.

Springville Eighth Annual Apple Festival, Main Street, Springville. Oct. 15, 16, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free admission. A horse-drawn wagon and shuttle bus will carry passengers from free parking areas to town. (209) 539-3218.

The Great Apple run is but one activity planned. There will be apple-baking contests for children and adults. Badges and face-painting for kiddies. Apple pancakes and apple syrup will be offered at the Lion’s breakfast at 7 a.m. both days. An apple-design quilt will be raffled at the Quilt and Hobby show (admission $2.) Square-dancing ($6 a couple) Saturday at 8.

Threshing Bee and Antique Engine Show, Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum, Guajome Regional Park, 2040 N. Santa Fe, Vista. Oct. 15 and 16; Oct. 22 and 23, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Admission: $3 donation requested for ages 15 and over. Overnight camping available. Shuttle bus service. (619) 941-1791, Tuesday-Friday, or (619) 942-5045, Saturday-Monday.

This celebration demonstrates early farm life in America. Activities will include educational farming demonstrations, hay wagon rides, musical entertainment and square-dancing. Don’t forget to visit the steam- and gas-powered engines, the blacksmith shop and vintage cars. Sample freshly made apple cider.

Valyermo Fall Festival, St. Andrews Priory, Valyermo. Sept. 24 and 25, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Free admission. $3 parking. (805) 944-2178.

Each fall, Benedictine monks celebrate the harvest on this 500-acre ranch. Peaches raised on the ranch will be for sale, as well as watermelons, apples, and home-grown herbs. Cornish game hens, hamburgers and Chinese cuisine will be offered at the Tea Garden of the September Moon. Art galleries, crafts, an auction and raffle.