• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • The Harker School
  • Menu
  • Admission
  • Lower School
  • Middle School
  • Upper School
  • Summer
  • More
    • About
    • News
    • Alumni
    • Giving
  • News

  • The Harker News provides timely information, news and features about the Harker community to current and alumni Harker families.

  • |
  • General News
  • Lower School
  • Middle School
  • Upper School
  • Alumni
  • Summer
  • In the News

Harvest Festival Promises Fun For All Ages

September 28, 2015 by Melinda Gonzales

Share this:

  • Tweet

This article originally appeared in the fall 2015 Harker Quarterly.

Once again the Harker community will come together in celebration of the fall season and the opening of school at the 65th annual Family & Alumni Picnic, the Harker Harvest Festival. We’re bringing back old favorites and introducing some thrilling new ones. From top-notch student performances in the Harvest Hoedown to exciting games and fabulous food, the picnic offers a day of delights for all ages!

  • Junior performs at benefit concert for fallen CA firefighters
    Read
    Junior performs at benefit concert for fallen CA firefighters

Come Celebrate Fall-o-Ween!

On this day, faculty and staff come together to put on a fantastic day of fun for Harker families. Take part in some old-fashioned fun with field games like sack races, spoon races and more.

Or challenge your favorite teachers to Ping-Pong, foosball or basketball in the Teachers’ Clubhouse (located in the gym). Guests of all ages will enjoy a variety of fun carnival games.

In recent years we’ve added laser tag and Witch’s Flight, the 300-foot zip line. This year challenge your friends to a Hamster Dash (yes, you guessed right: try to run in a hamster ball!). Tickets may be purchased online.

Everyone loves a pumpkin patch, the place to pick out a perfect Halloween decoration for your house. Ours will again be located right next to the dedicated preschool area, which will have age- appropriate games and activities for our youngest picnic-goers.

You also won’t want to miss our super silent auction. Along with the fantastic teacher packages, vacations and more, we will have sign-ups for the lower school sleepover (a popular tradition). This year all bidding will be online, and we’ll be opening the auction three weeks before the picnic to give you plenty of time to place your best bids!

Costumes Welcome

With our “Fall-o-Ween” theme, this year’s event wouldn’t be complete without cute and creepy costumes. Wear your favorite and take part in our spooktacular costume parade, right after the student performances. Prizes will be awarded at the end of the picnic.

Feast” Your Eyes (and Taste Buds)

In addition to favorites such as grilled items, pizza, Brown Chicken Brown Cow and Arka Indian cuisine, this year you can enjoy food from an authentic taqueria. Food trucks will offer ice cream, gourmet hot dogs and other American classics. Save room to sample all the goodies!

Don’t “Leaf” Anyone at Home!

Admission for adults and children 3 and older is $10 each if purchased online by Oct. 2. Children younger than 3 and grownups over 75 are free. Admission is $15 at the entrance on picnic day. Admission includes the Harvest Hoedown, field games and activities in the Teachers’ Clubhouse.

Our Awesome Alumni In Autumn

Our alumni barbecue luncheon has become a tradition all its own, drawing record numbers each year. This gathering takes place from noon to 1 p.m. in the shady alumni grove following the Harvest Hoedown and welcomes Harker alumni young and old. More information on admission and activities for alumni is available on the picnic website: www.harker.org/picnic.

Harvest Hashtag

Calling all Twitter and Instagram users! Hashtag your Harker Harvest Festival Facebook and Instagram posts #harkerharvest and everyone will have access to a great collection of photos and comments from this fun event!

Everything Online this Year

New this year are the pre-sale family packages; we offer a variety of packages to choose from to ensure a fun-filled day for the whole family. These packages, along with individual admission passes, carnival tickets, T-shirts and laser tag tickets are available for purchase online at www.harker. org/picnic until Oct. 2. These items (except T-shirts) will also be available for purchase the day of the event.

Our exciting silent auction also will be online this year; we will open the bidding three weeks before the picnic. This means that you’ll be able to set your maximum bid on items and will be notified on your mobile phone if you are outbid. And if you can’t be at the picnic when the auction closes, you can still participate in the final bidding using your phone. Check the picnic website for information about registering for the auction.

Thanks to Our Harvest helpers

We want to recognize our devoted picnic committee members, teachers and staff who have helped to create an event that appeals to our entire community. We are grateful for their hard work, amazing creativity, dedication and team spirit!

You may also like

  • [UPDATED] Harker comes up big in 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
    [UPDATED] Harker comes up big in 2017 Scholastic Art & Writing Awards
  • Volleyball Alumna Schmidt Garners Scholarship Funds and Special Award on the Way to Grad School
    Volleyball Alumna Schmidt Garners Scholarship Funds and Special Award on the Way to Grad School
  • Music Students Learn from Accomplished Jazz Trio During Visit and Q&A Session
    Music Students Learn from Accomplished Jazz Trio During Visit and Q&A Session
  • US Librarians Share Spotlight at Conference
    US Librarians Share Spotlight at Conference
  • Sophmore Zhu Wins First AJGA Event 5-Under-Par
    Sophmore Zhu Wins First AJGA Event 5-Under-Par
  • English Language Institute Reception at Upper School Campus, Jan. 29
    English Language Institute Reception at Upper School Campus, Jan. 29
  • Songs Into Summer
    Songs Into Summer
  • Alumna-directed choir performs to benefit Black artists and activists
    Alumna-directed choir performs to benefit Black artists and activists

Related

Filed Under: Schoolwide

Primary Sidebar

Search for Articles

Multimedia Features

  • Harker Research Symposium Video Earns Award
  • Into the Fringe: Conservatory Takes ‘Into the Woods’ to Edinburgh

Subscribe to Harker News via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to Harker News and receive a daily digest of recent posts.

Delivered by FeedBurner

Trending Stories

  • Three athletes and one legendary team headed to Athletic Hall of FameThree athletes and one legendary team headed to…
  • Harker places high in TEAMS national competitionHarker places high in TEAMS national competition
  • 2022 grads' team wins Int'l Economics Olympiad2022 grads’ team wins Int’l Economics Olympiad

The Harker Magazine

Published two times a year, The Harker Magazine showcases some of the top news, leading programs, inspiring people and visionary plans of the greater Harker community.

More Harker publications

About Harker

The Harker School is a non-profit K-12, coed, private school in Silicon Valley that has earned international recognition for its top academics, quality teachers and student achievements. Founded in 1893 and educating 1,975 students, Harker is the largest independent school of its kind in California. We have beautiful, expansive San Jose campuses specifically designed for each of our three divisions - elementary, middle and upper - where our students enjoy outstanding facilities, leading-edge technology and inspiring faculty who help them become the best they can be.

Learn more about The Harker School

Links

  • Harker Aquila
  • Preschool
    • Academics
    • Specialty Classes
    • Teachers
    • Support & Services
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Lower School
    • Academics
    • Programs & Extracurriculars
    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Support & Services
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Middle School
    • Academics
    • Programs & Extracurriculars
    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Support & Services
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Upper School
    • Academics
    • Programs & Extracurriculars
    • Teachers
    • Students
    • Support & Services
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
    • Admission
    • Summer
    • About
    • News
    • Alumni
    • Giving
The Harker School

Copyright © 1893-2015 • The Harker School • 500 Saratoga Ave., San Jose, CA 95129 • 408.249.2510 | Contact Us | Privacy Policy

  • Follow Us!
  • Admission
    • Request Information
    • Campus Visits
    • Applying to Harker
    • Tuition & Financial Aid
    • Admission FAQs
  • Preschool
    • Academics
    • Specialty Classes
    • Teachers
      • Teacher Directory
    • Support & Services
      • Extended Care
      • Food Progam
      • Libraries
      • Summer Preschool
      • Transportation
      • Safety & Security
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Lower School
    • Academics
    • Programs & Extracurriculars
      • After-School Program
      • Athletics
        • Coach Directory
        • Athletic Events
      • Character Development & Outreach
      • Global Education
        • Global Relationships - Sister Schools
      • Performing Arts
        • Performing Arts Teacher Directory
      • STEM
      • Student Research
      • Visual Arts
    • Teachers
      • Teacher Directory
    • Students
    • Support & Services
      • Food Program
      • Health & Wellness
      • Libraries
      • Safety & Security
      • Transportation
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Middle School
    • Academics
    • Programs & Extracurriculars
      • After-School Program
      • Athletics
        • Coach Directory
        • Athletic Events
      • STEM
      • Visual Arts
      • Global Education
        • Global Relationships - Sister Schools
      • Performing Arts
        • Performing Arts Teacher Directory
      • Character Development & Outreach
      • Speech & Debate
      • Student Research
    • Teachers
      • Teacher Directory
    • Students
    • Support & Services
      • Food Program
      • Health & Wellness
      • Libraries
      • Safety & Security
      • Technology
      • Transportation
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Upper School
    • Academics
    • Programs & Extracurriculars
      • Character Development & Outreach
      • Performing Arts
        • Performing Arts Teacher Directory
      • Athletics
        • Coach Directory
        • Athletic Events
      • Visual Arts
      • STEM
      • Business & Entrepreneurship
      • Global Education
        • Global Relationships - Sister Schools
      • Speech & Debate
      • Student Research
    • Teachers
      • Teacher Directory
    • Students
    • Support & Services
      • College Counseling
      • Food Program
      • Health & Wellness
      • Libraries
      • Safety & Security
      • Technology
      • Transportation
    • Campus & Facilities
    • School Community
  • Summer
    • Summer Preschool
    • Summer Camp Plus: KinderCamp
    • Summer Camp Plus: Grades 1-5
    • Summer Institute Middle School
    • Summer Institute Upper School
    • English Language Institute
      • Program Details
        • International English Language Institute Brochures
    • Swim School
    • Summer @ The Conservatory
    • About
      • Eligibility
      • Summer Jobs
      • International Families
      • Summer Registration and Policies
  • About
    • Contact Us
    • Philosophy & Mission
    • History
      • Harker's 125th!
    • Events
      • Family & Alumni Picnic
        • Admission Passes & Tickets
        • Alumni Guests
        • Schedule of the Day
        • Raffle
        • Silent Auction
        • Picnic T-Shirts
        • Donations
        • Sponsorships
        • Volunteer
        • History
      • Homecoming
      • Harker Concert Series
      • Harker Speaker Series
      • Harker Gala: Night on the Town
        • Community Sponsorships
        • Corporate Sponsorships
      • Harker Sports Clinics
      • Research Symposium
        • Student Abstracts
        • Corporate Exhibitors
      • Harker Alumni Gold Classic
    • Message from the Head of School
    • Board of Trustees
    • Facts & Stats
      • Student Achievements
      • Alumni Achievements
    • Sustainability at Harker
      • Nichols Hall: LEED Certified
    • Eagle Store
    • Staff Directory
    • Careers
    • Media Information
    • Privacy Policy
    • COPPA Statement
  • News
    • General News
    • Preschool News
    • Lower School News
    • Middle School News
    • Upper School News
    • Alumni News
    • Summer News
    • In The News
  • Alumni
    • Transcript Requests
  • Giving
    • How to Plan Your Giving
    • Annual Giving
      • How Funds are Spent
      • Gift Clubs
    • Capital Giving
      • About the Cornerstones Campaign
      • The Cornerstones Of Success Campaign: Phases 1-5
      • Gift Recognition & Namign Opportunities
        • Capital Giving Gift Clubs
      • How To Make A Capital Gift
      • Naming Opportunities
        • Performing Arts Center
        • Athletics Center
        • Paving Tiles
        • Bucknall Campus
        • Saratoga Campus
        • Policy
    • Endowment & Planned Giving
      • Endowment Policy
    • Volunteering
    • Donations and Pledges