As the Fall well and truly settles into the valley, it’s time to start planning for some of the seasonal highlights.  Once again, Samaria will be host to a Harvest Festival, with this year’s event running on two weekends, October 13 and 14, and then October 20 and 21.  Daily admission will be $6 for individuals or $20 for families, though some events will be free.  This year’s Heritage Harvest Festival will include several fun contests, in which everyone is encouraged to participate.  

You can start by creating an entry into the pumpkin walk.  The ultimate hope is to create as large and impressive a pumpkin walk as those in nearby communities.  While something the scale of Cache Valley’s pumpkin walk might be a few years down the road, the more participation the better!  If you enter you will receive $5 off the gate, on a single or family pass.   The winner of the pumpkin walk will be awarded a $100 cash prize. 

But what if pumpkins are not your thing?  Try creating a scarecrow.  Scarecrow submission will also get you a discount on your gate admission.  Scarecrows will be on display throughout Heritage Square. The winner of the Scarecrow competition will get a $25 cash prize.  If you would like to submit an entry for the pumpkin walk or scarecrow competition, or for more information, please text or call Travis Whipple at (208) 918-5051 or Donna Whipple at (208) 918-5051.

Do you like to bake?  Consider entering the pie baking contest.  Pies must be brought to Mary’s Kitchen at Heritage Square by 10 a.m. on Saturday October 14th.  Judging will begin at noon.  After judging is complete, slices of the pies will be sold throughout the day (while supplies last) for $2 a slice.  There will be  a $100 cash prize for first place pie and $50 cash prize for second place pie.  On Saturday October 21, the baking contest will be for the best sweet rolls.  Bring a tray of your best sweet rolls to Mary’s Kitchen by 10 a.m. on October 21 for a chance to win $100 for first place and $50 for second place.  Come try the best sweet rolls in town for only $2 each. All proceeds will be used to pay for the cash prizes with the remainder going to upkeep of Heritage Square.

Each day of the Festival will include a costume contest.  Come in costume, get $1 off your gate admission fee and a chance to win a prize for the Best Costume of the Day.

There will be many other games and contests happening over the two

weekend festival, including, but not limited to, bobbing for apples, three-legged race, tug of war, donuts on a string, cackling contest, pie eating contest, talent show and more.

If you are interested in entering the talent show contact NeCole Tracy

at (801) 513-0961. If you are interested in being a vendor at the festival contact Marlo

Balmanno at [email protected].

The organizers would like to extend a big thank you to the Heritage Square Platinum VIP Sponsors,  Nell J Redfield Memorial Hospital,ATC, Dr Thorpe and Robbins, Thomas Market,

Hess Lumber, Hess Nampa Auto, Oxford Peak Arts Council, Northwestern Mutual and Oneida Family Dental.