Harvest Festival hits 46th year, expands

Toccoa’s 46th Annual Harvest Festival, featuring more than 160 crafts and food vendors this year, will kick off at 10 a.m. this coming Saturday, Oct. 28, with activities scheduled until 5 p.m, then picking up again from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 29. 

City of Toccoa Special Events Coordinator Misty Richardson spoke with WNEG NEws, and said the harvest festival is something she has enjoyed for many years, and she is excited to be involved with the event this year. 

She said there are several changes in the logistics and more vendors than at any previous Harvest Festival.

She added that the color coded map of the event will be available on site this year, helping people find vendors that they are searching for.  

Richardson said Toccoa’s Harvest Festival draws vendors and attendees from several states, and said that our adherence to the “homemade, home baked or home grown” rule is part of what makes the event popular year after year. 

She explained the limitations of that policy, and what it means about the products attendees will be able to find at the Toccoa Harvest Festival 

Food is another big draw at the festival, she said.  

Richardson explained that the Humane Shelter had to move from their historic spot on courthouse lawn, but has been moved to a new location, along with the free carriage ride and kiddy train.

She said the organization of the event layout is moving toward an actual entrance to the event, with a decorated balloon arch on Tugaloo Street coming onto Pond Street.

Entertainment will be another big part of the event on both days, she said. 

There will be many options for parking for the event throughout the downtown area, Richardson said.  

The Currahee Artists Guild will also be holding their 31st Annual Fall Arts and Crafts Festival in conjunction with the Harvest Festival. Based at The Studio, 61 Doyle Street, the Arts and Crafts festival will include original art from more than 75 local and regional artists, and a judged art show with awards presented at 4 pm. on Sunday, including a viewer’s choice award that attendees vote on. 

Be sure to visit wnegradio.com and our social media page on Facebook for a listing of Harvest, fall, and halloween events coming up in the next few days, and stay tuned to WNEG News tomorrow for information on the 32nd Toccoa Halloween parade, which will be held on Halloween, this coming Tuesday.