Preparations under way for Nov. 4 pomegranate festival
Wendy Alexander The Madera Tribune
Maddison Cortez, 9, picks out the perfect pomegranate from Home Grown Cellars as Juan Cortez looks on during the annual Pomegranate Festival on last year at the Madera District fairgrounds.
The 7th annual Madera Pomegranate Festival will return from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Nov. 4 at the Madera District Fairgrounds. Admission and parking will be free.
The festival features a full day of local pomegranate foods and nuts, live entertainment, cooking demonstrations from local chefs, educational briefings on pomegranates, arts and crafts, and family-friendly entertainment.
The event is organized by the Madera Tourism Alliance of the Madera Chamber of Commerce. “On behalf of the Madera Chamber, I would like to invite everyone to come out and join us for this fun-filled event, it’s a great outing for the entire family, “ chamber president Debi Bray said. “The Tourism Alliance Committee and Chamber staff are working hard to bring yet another great event to our community this year.”
The Marie Wilson Band will perform contemporary music hits and classics from throughout the decades.
This year a fire truck pull has been organized by Madera County Probation Department. Eight person teams from area law enforcement agencies each take turns grabbing a rope and on the other end is a fully equipped fire truck. Teams must pull the fire truck 40 feet to the finish line in a designated time. Proceeds benefit Special Olympics Northern California.
A Kid Zone will include art lessons, activities and games, children’s stage, educational information about local agriculture and interactive displays featuring law enforcement.
The festival, co-organized by co-chairs David Huff and Nicki Rincon, will also feature a classic Car Show and 100-plus vendors and exhibitors featuring pomegranate and nut products as well as a variety of other items.
“The momentum is building and exciting things are falling into place for this year’s Pomegranate Festival,” said Therese Williams of Yosemite Sierra Visitors Bureau. “The annual event celebrates what Madera does best. Agriculture is Madera’s number one industry and the event takes place during November, which is National Pomegranate Month.”
To learn more about the festival, visit www.PomegranateFestival.com or www.Facebook.com/PomegranateFestival, or call the Madera Chamber of Commerce at 673-3563.
