Fall comes early for valley shoppers at annual Harvest Festival

The calendar and thermometer may not say autumn yet, but the fall season definitely will be in the air at Cashman Center this weekend. In fact, it'll be in air-conditioning.

Brenda Meehan, spokeswoman for the Harvest Festival, which runs Friday through Sunday, said many people use it as an opportunity to do their holiday shopping, and "a lot of people like that it's indoors."

"It really is one-stop shopping for arts and crafts," she said. "You can find genuine art and ceramics and beautiful pottery and one-of-a-kind photography, and you can also find craft things like quilts and handmade purses."

Then there's the aisle of edibles, with things such as soup mixes, dip mixes, jellies, salsas, fudge, chocolate sauces and scone mixes.

Meehan stressed that the show is juried, which means that items to be exhibited and offered for sale must first be approved. The items must be totally handcrafted, she said.

Many of the 250 participants travel from far-flung locations, but there are local exhibitors, too. Among them are Bistro Blends (balsamic vinegars and extra-virgin olive oils in salad dressings and marinades), Carolyn's Jewelry (beaded and wire-wrapped pieces), Joan's Soy Candles & Creations (with novelty designs including pies and brownies), NaturAct (tabletop fountains and sculpted rock candles), Nevada Smells (potpourri, fragrance oils, among other things), Sweet Bubble Soap Cafe (effervescent bath collections), Timeless Treasures (hand-carved wooden trivets), Treasures From the Heart (holiday decorations in clay and wood), Unique Creation (laser Christmas trees) and 3 Poochy's (custom pet accessories).

Other types of arts and crafts that will be represented include hand-painted clothing, leather wear, fiber art, handblown glass, original oil paintings and watercolors, lithographs and hand-turned furniture.

There also will be strolling entertainers, and a parcel check so shoppers don't have to carry their bags around. The latter is a benefit for the Sunrise Children's Foundation, which also will be selling Harvest Festival shopping bags for $1 each.

And kids don't have to be bored while the rest of the family is shopping. There will be a make-it-and-take-it craft area for the younger attendees and a place for them to decorate shoe boxes, which will be filled with gifts and shipped around the world as part of Operation Christmas Child.

And for the fourth year, the Royal Tea Society will present Miss Spider's Tea Party, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday.

"We have a very animated storyteller who reads 'Miss Spider's Tea Party,' and kids can color their placemats and have a little tea party where they decorate a muffin and have children's tea in little cups," Meehan said. "It's so cute. Kids come all dressed up." The tea party, for which there's a separate $5 fee, is open to any age, she noted. Proceeds benefit Harvest Festival charities.

Meehan said the event, which is in its 24th year in Las Vegas, is a microcosm of another time and place.

"It really has kind of a festival, Americana feel to it," she said. "A lot of people enjoy the entertainment because it's so much different than what you would see on the Strip.

"There really is something for anyone."

Contact reporter Heidi Knapp Rinella at hrinella@reviewjournal.com or 702-383-0474.