Festival will take on pioneer flavor

Friday, Aug. 16, 2002 | 6:17 a.m.

Cashman Center will be transformed into a small-town marketplace and craft fair Aug. 23-25.

The 15th annual Las Vegas Harvest Festival is coming to town to showcase arts and crafts, music and food. More than 250 exhibitors will be selling everything from woodcarving and jewelry to soups and chocolate.

Organizers bill the event as the largest craft show in Las Vegas.

"It really is the granddaddy of arts and crafts shows in Las Vegas," event spokeswoman Brenda Meehan said.

The festival begins at 11 a.m. on Aug. 23 and 10 a.m. Aug. 24 and 25. General admission is $7.50 and $6.50 for seniors. Children's admission is $4.50. One ticket can be used all weekend.

Petaluma, Calif.-based Harvest Festival manages 12 similar events in California and Arizona. Organizers estimate this year's festival will attract about 18,000 people, primarily families from throughout the Las Vegas Valley, Meehan said.

"We get people from one end of the valley to the other," she said. "It's very family-oriented."

In keeping with the family theme, the National Missing Children's Locate Center will be on hand fingerprinting children for identification purposes.

The Americana-themed festivals are designed to replicate the harvest season in early 19th century villages, complete with exhibitors in period costumes and strolling performers.

Entertainment at the event includes Dixieland jazz bands, Appalachian cloggers, a cappella singing groups, jugglers, mimes and stilt walkers.

"It's very festive," Meehan said.

For more information, contact Cashman Center at 386-7100 or visit www.harvestfestival.com.