Harvest Festival keeps families busy with crafts, activities

One of the largest arts and crafts shows, the Harvest Festival will return for the 19th time to Las Vegas Friday through Sunday.

More than 200 artists and exhibitors from the western United States will showcase their jewelry, paintings, pottery, food and other handcrafted goods at Cashman Center, 850 Las Vegas Blvd. North.

Over the weekend, festival organizers expect 17,000 to 20,000 attendees, says spokeswoman Brenda Meehan. The show is juried, meaning that festival participants are selected by a panel that ensures that the crafts are of high quality, she adds. Everything is handmade and American, the two basic requirements for inclusion in the event.

Local crafters will be represented in the festival, including 3 Poochy's, a line of custom-made pet accessories; Dazzles oven baked corn; Nevada Smells, which offers a variety of potpourri, fragrance oils and other items.

Every year, the festival brings something new to town, Meehan says. This year includes some activities for children such as Miss Spider's Tea Party on Saturday and Sunday. There will be storytelling and tea in addition to entertainment. It's first come, first served. Admission is $5, and all children must be accompanied by an adult.

Also, the "make it and take it" area enables children to make a craft and take it home, Meehan says. All proceeds from the kids' activities will be donated to the Sunrise Children's Foundation.

Entertainers such as Big Mama Sue and Fast Eddie, Derek the Mime and Stilt Cowboy will stroll through the venue providing spontaneous minishows. Families who want to sit for a while also can enjoy entertainment on the main stage.

For more information, visit harvestfestival.com.

Contact reporter Sonya Padgett at spadgett@reviewjournal.com or 702-380-4564.