Pomegranate festival returns to Madera

Wendy Alexander/The Madera Tribune

Austin Braga, left, participates in a pomegranate contest to see who can fill the bowl with the most seeds during the annual Madera Pomegranate, Fruit, & Nut Festival at the Madera District Fairgrounds in 2019.

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The 10th annual Madera Pomegranate, Fruit and Nut Festival takes place Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Madera District Fairgrounds.

Admission and parking are free at the vibrant festival showcasing Madera County’s locally-grown commodities of pomegranates, fruits, and nuts.

The unique happening features a day filled with delicious pomegranate products, specialties from local nut vendors, music, and the always popular, chef-led, cooking demonstrations. To learn more about all things pomegranate, discover educational seminars on harvesting arils and juices. Then get in on the whole-family fun by showing off your skills at the seeding competition.

“After a year away, our hometown festival is back. We couldn’t be more excited and grateful,” says Debi Bray, President, and CEO of the Madera Chamber of Commerce. “We’re celebrating what Madera does best: agriculture, fun times, and delicious food. November is Pomegranate Month, and we’re ready to toast to that. We hope everyone will come out and join us!”

In addition to the festival highlights of pomegranate-and-nut-inspired foods, products, and cooking demonstrations attendees will enjoy:

• Madera’s Got Talent — children grades K-12 will inspire with their talent as they perform and compete to win. Hosted by the Madera Leo Club. 10-11:45 a.m.

• Fire Truck Pull to benefit Special Olympics — watch area teams representing law enforcement and public agencies compete for this year’s title! 10:30 a.m. — noon.

• Ohana Comic Con — Comic book and popular culture fans have something to celebrate as the Ohana Comic Con will return to this year’s festival. A costume contest will be held in the afternoon. All-day.

• Live DJ entertainment. All-day.

• A dazzling, classic car show. All-day.

• The Kids’ Zone — with inflatable fun, games, and pony rides. (No admission fee.) All-day

• Muay Thai Boxing Competition hosted by Madera Mixed Martial Arts — Muay Thai, also known as Thai Boxing is a martial art/combat sport that originated in Thailand. Participants of all ages from throughout the region will be competing. (Admission fee applies.) All-day.

• Plus, more than 90 vendors of arts, crafts, and much more.

“This event is a little slice of Americana, and recognizes the harvest season in the best way: With good friends, music, and awesome food — grown right here in Madera County — said festival chairperson, Nicki Rincon.

The Pomegranate Fruit and Nut Festival is organized by the Madera Tourism Alliance, a committee of the Madera Chamber of Commerce. To learn more about the festival, visitwww.PomegranateFestival.com or www.Facebook.com/PomegranateFestival, or call the Madera Chamber of Commerce, 673-3563.