Arts Festival Patrons Urged to Donate Food

Visitors to the 12th annual Harvest Festival in Pomona this weekend can help the hungry as they patronize the arts.

Teaming up with Canning Hunger, a La Habra-based charity organization, the Harvest Festival will take $1 off the $6.50 regular admission price for visitors who donate canned goods at the door.

At the end of the weekend arts festival, Canning Hunger will work with local agencies to distribute the food to the needy, said Joyce Scherer, a spokeswoman for the festival.

Beginning in Long Beach over Labor Day weekend, the Harvest Festival makes appearances all over the Los Angeles area before ending its run at the Fairplex in Pomona every year, Scherer said.

Artisans are selected by a festival committee to show and sell their crafts at the roving show.

And for those whose appreciation of beauty transcends the eye, “edible art,” such as fudge, candy, jellies and breads, will be sold near the custom-made furniture exhibits and other less tasty works.

Musical acts are also brought in to give the festival the feel of a county fair, Scherer said. Country-western singers and a one-man band known as Washboard Willy are among the acts that will appear.

“The Harvest Festival is one of my favorites,” said Sid Robinson, communications manager for the Fairplex, which holds but does not organize the show. “It’s always a lot of fun.”

The event will run Friday from noon to 8 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Admission for children between 6 and 12 is $3.50. Those under 5 get in free, and tickets for senior citizens cost $5.50.

For more information, call (909) 623-3111.