12th annual Harvest Festival promises day of community, culture and celebration — and of course pumpkins

The annual Harvest Festival returns for a 12th installment this weekend, bringing together Kaua‘i families for a day of community, culture and celebration.

This year’s festival and Great Pumpkin Giveaway are planned from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Oct. 18 at Hanapēpē Athletic Field.

Presented by Corteva Agriscience, Hartung Brothers, Bayer, Kekaha Ag Association and Hawai‘i Crop Improvement Association, the fall fest features free keiki rides, inflatables, games, live entertainment and hundreds of free pumpkins.

‘Ohana can also enjoy a wide selection of ‘ono food and beverages from local nonprofits, with all proceeds supporting community programs.

Local organizations, churches and nonprofits manning food booths, raising funds by selling a variety of delicious grinds, include:

• Hawaiian plate from Līhuʻe Pop Warner Football.
• Flying saucers from Hanapēpē Pop Warner Football.
• Pastele dioja from Westside Christian Center Assembly of God.
• Shave ice from Rotary Club of West Kaua‘i.
• Ice cream and floats from Purple Palooza, Corteva’s Relay For Life team.
• Beverages from WesCon Pop Warner.
• Spam musubi, poi balls, malasadas and pronto pups from West Kaua‘i Methodist Church.
• Refreshers from Ke Kula Ni‘ihau O Kekaha Public Charter School.

The education tent will include:

• Osborne Books.
• Hawai‘i Health Systems Corporation Kaua‘i Region.
• Hawai‘i Foodbank.
• Kaua‘i Forest Bird Recovery Project.
• Kaua‘i Fire Department.
• Boys & Girls Club.
• Head Start.
• Kaua‘i United Way.

Admission is free, so bring the entire family and all your friends for this annual tradition to celebrate the season island style.

Hanapēpē Athletic Field, also known as the Hanapēpē soccer fields, is located at 4431 Pūʻolo Road in Hanapēpē.