San Mateo Harvest Festival November 11, 2011

The San Mateo Harvest Festival®, happening November 11-13, is returning to the San Mateo Event Center to offer a thrilling shopping experience, exciting live entertainment, delicious foods and celebrity guest appearances.

The Harvest Festivals® are the largest indoor arts and crafts show on the West Coast, bringing together top artisans from around the country exhibiting all types of items, including jewelry, clothing, original art, specialty foods, pottery, toys, home décor and more. All the products offered are made by hand in the United States, and the vendors go through an extensive jury process to be accepted into the festival.

On Saturday, November 12th, film critic and celebrity broadcaster Jan Wahl will host several lectures about film, and afterwards she’ll host a meet and greet for Harvest Festival attendees. At 11:30, Jan will discuss “Fabulous Females of Film”, chronicling some of the most notorious actresses of the silver screen. At 12:30, Jan’s topic will focus on “Holiday Highlights of Film”.

Aside from offering over 24,000 of the best handmade arts and crafts, the San Mateo Harvest Festival® also provides fun and exciting entertainment acts throughout the weekend, as well as a KidZone that allows children to participate in hands on arts and crafts. There will be a gingerbread decorating station hosted by Gingerbread on the Go and jewelry making activities from Dragonfly Designs.

Tom Rigney and Flambeau will awe audiences as they they take the stage to showcase fiery fiddling, electrifying energy and tight ensemble playing. Tom Rigney and Flambeau have forged a unique musical genre that blends American Roots styles into something completely original--a sound that mixes irresistibly infectious grooves with deep musicality and spectacular solos.

Also in the line up of featured performers are comedic juggling duo Scotty and Trink. The outrageous pair has appeared in venues across the United States and their shows include everything from juggling knives to tossing flaming torches while balancing on their unicycles.

The San Mateo Harvest Festival® has selected a new charity for its 2011 show and is excited to help support the Peninsula Humane Society/SPCA by donating half of the shopping bag proceeds and all of the parcel check proceeds to the renowned non-profit. The PHS/SPCA will also be hosting a mobile adoption center on Friday and Saturday, encouraging anyone who wants to add a new furry friend to their family to stop by and meet their new potential pet.

The San Francisco Firefighters will also be onsite holding a holiday toy drive and handing out $2 off admission coupons to anyone who brings a toy donation to the show. Plus, guests can enter to win fabulous prizes, such as an Apple iPad 2 or the grand prize hand-stitched Americana quilt. Visit the shows website at www.harvestfestival.com to obtain entry forms and instructions.

What: The San Mateo Harvest Festival® Original Art and Craft Show
When: November 11-13, 2011 San Mateo County Event Center, (1346 Saratoga Ave, San Mateo)
Hours: Friday and Saturday: 10 am – 6pm, Sunday: 10 am – 5pm
Tickets: Adults: $9, Seniors (62+): $7, Youth (13-17): $4, Kids 12 and Under: Free
Info: For tickets and information, call 415-447-3205 or visit www.harvestfestival.com
Press: Contact the Larose Group at 650-548-6700 or email Liz Stigge-Rosinski at lstigge@prmagic.com

Official Website: http://www.harvestfestival.com