Shafter's Harvest Festival has arrived

On Wednesday, Oct. 30, the Shafter Harvest Festival will feature a Trunk or Treat, a Haunted House, food trucks, music, games and activities. A collaborative effort from many, this event celebrates community.

Mayor Chad Givens explained how it came together: "There are a lot of organizations in Shafter that put together Harvest Festivals. I spoke with Shafter High's ASB students, and they expressed it would be nice if service clubs worked on one big event." Givens reached out to Councilmember Gilbert Alvarado, president of the Shafter Lions Club, which agreed to take the lead and sponsor the event with the city's backing. Shafter High joined, offering to host the Haunted House.

"With this festival, the intent is to bring the community together. The mantra I've had on the council and continue to speak about is having healthy families and creating strong communities. This is just one way that we connect as a community."

Givens credited Shafter High students for the idea. "Kids are an absolute uniter – most people will get behind a child. When you have a situation where the kids are up for it, how do you make it work? This is a perfect example."

A highlight will be the Trunk or Treat, with event chair and Lions Club member Jessica Peña leading the way. "The Lions Club has been very successful in running the Trunk or Treat program in the past, coordinating with the car clubs and the Fire Department. They had 900 to 1,000 people at the last event."

Peña foresees a bigger event from the last one. "We anticipate an even bigger turnout this year, with around 30 cars decorated in fun Halloween themes," she said last week. "They'll give out candy, and one of my trunks will give out pumpkins. Different car clubs will participate, including Los Acelerados." She wants to make the Harvest Festival a tradition and added that everybody is encouraged to wear costumes.

It's not just cars – there will be many information booths with games and activities set up by organizations including the Shafter Woman's Club, Kern Family Health Care, Clinica Sierra Vista, Shafter Recreation and Parks District, schools of the Richland School District, CAPK, CAPSLO and the Shafter Library & Learning Center. The Shafter Police Department, Kern Fire Department and Hall Ambulance also will be present. A DJ and MC, Aaron Perlman, will keep things moving throughout the night..

"There'll be lots to do and eat," Givens said. "We have food trucks selling tacos, hot dogs, hamburgers, Korean barbecue, poke bowls, Asian fusion, barbecue, pizza, baked potatoes, churros, cotton candy and lots of candy treats."

Another big draw is the Haunted House, organized by Shafter High event coordinators Giada Rodriguez and Lauren Givens. "It will be age-appropriate spookiness for the little ones – ages nine and under – and a separate room with more scare factor for kids 10 and older," Givens explained. Rodriguez added, "There will be surprises, and you will definitely be entertained. It will be Halloween at its finest." Donations for the Haunted House will be accepted to support the event.

The free festival, located at 1150 E. Ash Ave., begins at 5:30 p.m. with food trucks, followed by the Trunk or Treat and activities at 6:30 p.m. For more information, contact Jessica Peña at 661-677-1414.