Harvest fun takes over downtown Luseland
By Joan Janzen
The community of Luseland celebrated another fun-filled Harvest Festival on Saturday, Sept. 12, with activities for all ages taking place throughout the downtown area.
And they're off. Carrot cars hit the ramp at the veggie races, one of Luseland Harvest Festivals most popular events. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Dig in. Youngsters had their hands full at the chickpea play boxes set up outside the Luseland and District Museum during Saturday's Harvest Festival. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Sleight of hand. The festival magician worked a little close-up magic with a young volunteer standing in the chickpea box on Main Street. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Old-school face-off. A vintage table hockey game gave two young visitors a taste of how their grandparents played at the Luseland and District Museum. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Spin cycle. A visitor gets a hand-cranked gramophone turning in the museum's parlour display. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Slime time. The Slime Girls kept their booth busy under a grass umbrella as vendors lined the street with treats and merchandise. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Picking a winner. Pumpkins and wheat sheaves drew shoppers to the vendor tables outside Beauty On Point. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Stop and stay awhile. Live acoustic music gave festival-goers a reason to linger downtown. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Cape and creature. A young festival-goer shows off her balloon creation. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Cape and creature. A young festival-goer shows off her balloon creation. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Tough call. A young judge weighs his options at the veggie Show 'n Shine, where carrots, cucumbers, squash and corn were all built for speed. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Casting a ballot. Voters had 25 veggie racers to choose from at the Show 'n Shine display inside the museum. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Full inflation. The balloon artist set up shop in the museum with an arsenal of colour ready to twist. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
Steady hand. A henna artist adds a design to a young festival-goer's hand. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
A little extra magic. The festival magician performed for the crowd on the Main Street stage. PHOTO BY JOAN JANZEN
The popular veggie Show ‘n Shine and races returned by popular demand, bringing plenty of creativity — and some friendly competition — to the festival. The museum also welcomed visitors to tour its collection of antiques and enjoy a variety of games and activities.
Vendors lined the street selling treats and merchandise, while youngsters dug into the chickpea play boxes, played games and proudly showed off their balloon creations. A magician added a little extra magic to the day, while live music provided another reason to stop and stay awhile.
There was no shortage of harvest-themed fun. The Harvest Salsa Showdown, Chicken Poop Bingo and Harvest Festival Buffet were all part of the day’s festivities, while a dunk tank gave festival-goers the opportunity to send a few familiar faces splashing into the water.
Despite the cool, unsettled weather, there was plenty happening both indoors and out, with the celebration wrapping up later in the evening with a local talent night on the Main Street stage.
From veggie racers and chickpeas to balloons, music, food and a little bit of magic, Luseland’s Harvest Festival once again offered a little something for everyone.