Fall Festival benefits Davis school programs

In celebration of autumn, the Recreation Division of the City of Davis with the Farmers’ Market is teaming up to host a series of activities in the Fall Festival, which takes place Oct. 30.

From 8 a.m. through 1 p.m., Central Park will be commemorating the fall harvest with festivities including the Avenue of Scarecrows Silent Auction, a pumpkin patch, piglet petting and other activities typical of the Farmer’s Market.

More than 50 scarecrows will brave the predicted rainy Saturday. Students from around Davis artfully crafted these scarecrows, and from 9 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., festival goers can attempt to outbid one another and win the scarecrow of their choice, according to the Farmers’ Market website.

The earnings of this scarecrow contest will go to Davis Farm School Connection, to help fund projects that promote recycling and gardening at Davis schools. It also, “really shows off the creativity of local students,” Shelly Keller, marketing and events manager, said.

Also benefiting Davis Farm to School is the sale of pizza made with farm-fresh ingredients.

Davis Farm to School is a non-profit program that aims to educate Davis students about healthy eating habits.

The program visits schools and integrates a six-step system to Davis students, primarily in primary schools. The students grow, prepare, eat and deal with the waste from their organic school gardens.

Other aspects of the Fall Festival, including music, science activities, pony rides and farm animals from DHS Future Farmers of America are meant to please a crowd similar to last year’s “huge attendance,” Keller said.

“Fall Festival offers fun for the entire family. We encourage people to come in costume and bring their cameras. It’s a day full of photo opportunities,” Keller said.