2nd Annual Harvest Festival

Williamstown Township is pleased to announce the 2nd Annual Harvest Festival on Saturday, October 7, 2023 from 11am-4pm at Williamstown Township Community Park, 525 E. Grand River between Zimmer and Meridian Roads. The Township Harvest Festival is a free community event featuring local businesses and performers. While highlighting the harvest season, we hope to engage residents in family activities and exhibits.

This year's event will include:

Mini petting zoo hosted by M&Ms Farms

Pony driven cart ride (featuring Winnie the Pony) hosted by M&Ms Farms

Professional kite flying demonstration provided by Kites and Fun Things

Apple Cider Press Demonstration presented by Flore Orchards

Family art activities and games

Selfie Station - take photos in our Harvest Festival set

Geocaching Hunt - check in at the Welcome Table for information

Vermicompost exhibit hosted by Julia Haidler from MSU Recycling Center

Corn Hole Game

Klinker the Clown and Rich the Magician

Face Painting with Jessica

"Meet and Greet" Program featuring Michigan Birds of Prey hosted by Michigan Avian Program - demonstrating 1-3PM

Folk band performances by: The Real Ingredients - performing 11AM to 1PM

Wild Honey Collective - performing 1:30PM to 3:30PM

Food Truck service provided by:

People's Kitchen

The Underground Cookie Club

Harvest Festival Event Guide available to download

Why a Harvest Festival?

Historically Harvest Festivals celebrate that time of year when farmers gather crops from the fields and people can reflect on the food that they have. Harvest Festivals date back to ancient Britain when people relied on cultivated crops for food, and farmers would give thanks for a good harvest.

The Harvest Festival tradition predates Christianity to pagan times. The name derives from the Old English word 'Haerfest' meaning 'Autumn'. In the United States, historians believe the first gathering of people for a harvest celebration was in 1621 between the Wampanoag Indian tribe and the Pilgrims who had immigrated to America the previous year. This celebration evolved into our modern day Thanksgiving dinner tradition.

Harvest Festivals coincide with the full moon that occurs closest to the autumnal equinox. In the Northern Hemisphere, the autumnal equinox is the first day of fall and is the day when the Earth is perfectly angled sideways to the sun; during this period day and night are of equal duration. Harvest Festivals usually take place on the Sunday nearest to the autumnal equinox. In 2023 the autumnal equinox is on Saturday, September 23^rd at 2:49 AM. The nearest full moon to that date is called the Harvest Moon and this year happens on Friday, September 29^th at 5:58 AM. The Harvest Moon may occur occasionally in October. The Harvest Moon provides helpful light to farmers to extend the harvest day into night.

Harvest Festivals have been celebrated worldwide. For example, the ancient Egyptian festival occurred during the spring-time harvest. The festival was dedicated to Min, the Egyptian god of vegetation and fertility. This festival included a parade in which the Pharaoh was carried through the town, followed by a great feast. The Egyptian people celebrated with music, dancing, and sports.

Modern Harvest Festivals are celebrated at places such as churches, schools, and community parks. The celebrations may include music, dancing, and sports like the Egyptian festivals and incorporate seasonal activities. Williamstown Township has organized our Harvest Festival celebration to include music, physical and creative activities, educational exhibits and, of course, food.

To learn more about the history of harvest festivals click on the links below.

Wikipedia - Harvest Festivals

Kids Connect - About Harvest Festivals