A sure sign of fall: 27th annual Harvest Fair returns to Johnson Farm

There’s a chill in the air, the kids are back in school, there’s football on TV again and a plethora of pumpkin-flavored treats — everything from lattes to Oreos — are back in stores.

Oh, yeah. It’s that time of year again.

That must also mean it’s time once more for Bainbridge islanders to head to Johnson Farm for the annual Harvest Fair.

The much-loved island tradition celebrates its 27th anniversary this year, and promises even more family friendly fun, delicious treats and down-home community spirit than ever before.

The action begins at 11 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.

“It’s a day to enjoy healthy local food, listen to home-grown music, enjoy local beverages from Hales Brewery, Bainbridge Organic Distillers and Bainbridge Vineyards,” said Wendy Tyner, executive director of Friends of the Farms.

“It is not your cookie cutter festival. It’s funky and very home-town-like, and the most popular event on Bainbridge Island,” she added, noting its draw of more than 3,000 attendees every year.

Activities this year will include a pie contest, turkey raffle, cider pressing, horse-drawn carriage rides, sheep-shearing demonstrations and local sustainable non-profit organizations hosting booths.

Farm-fresh food can be sampled and will be available to take home.

Musical acts are scheduled to play throughout the day, including Ranger & the Re-Arrangers, Cory Derzon-Supplee and Ben Green, Buckshot, Pineola, Palatine Ave and Polecat.

Guest organizations on hand this year will include Sustainable Bainbridge, Kids Discovery Museum, the Bainbridge Island Library, West Sound Wildlife, beekeeper Charles Schafer, Bainbridge Island Historical Museum, the 4-H club, Bainbridge Island Fruit Club, Laughing Crow Farm, Mountain Beef and many more.

Vendors slated to be at the festival include several perennial island favorites such as Bainbridge Organic Distillers, Emmy’s Veges, B.I. BBQ, Psychadeli, Smooth-e and more.

The suggested donation for entry is $5 per person or $20 per family.

All proceeds will be used to help preserve farmland and to increase local food production.

Parking is available at Johnson Farm and a free shuttle service will also be available at Bethany Lutheran Church and the downtown ferry terminal, beginning with the arrival of the 10:40 a.m. boat from Seattle and running once every sailing until the departure of the 5:30 p.m. boat.

The 2014 Harvest Fair is once again organized and presented by Friends of the Farms, an island-based nonprofit group whose stated mission is to preserve and enhance local farming.

Johnson Farm, the traditional site of the Harvest Fair located at the intersection of Fletcher Bay Road and Johnsonville Lane, is a 14.51-acre farm that has been preserved through a partnership with the city of Bainbridge Island and Friends of the Farms. It is a nonprofit organization operated through a 30-year lease for commercial farming, community P-patches and an orchard and trails.

For more information, visit www.friendsofthefarms.org.

Down on the farm

What: The 27th annual Harvest Fair.

When: From 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 28.

Where: Johnson Farm (at the intersection of Fletcher Bay Road and Johnsonville Lane).

Admission: Suggested donation: $5 a person or $20 per family.

Harvest Fair musical performance lineup

11 a.m. – Ranger & the Re-Arrangers

Noon – Cory Derzon-Supplee and Ben Green

12:45 p.m. – Buckshot

2 p.m. – Pineola

3 p.m. – Palatine Ave.