Harvest Festival Promises Fun For All Ages

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!

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!