St. Helena Harvest Festival Roots Date To 1909: A Look At Then And Now

ST. HELENA, CA — As preparations were underway for St. Helena's 37th annual Harvest Festival, to be held Saturday, Oct. 21, city staff worked with Mariam Hansen from the St. Helena Historical Society to investigate the archives and uncover its origins. What they learned was the St. Helena Hometown Harvest Festival can trace its roots back to 1909 and was initially called the Vintage Festival.

Timeline Of Festival Origins

• In 1909, Aetna Springs held its first event. It was authorized by the governor as an annual event, but the event did not continue.
• In September 1912, as St. Helena vineyards and wineries recovered from the 1893 phylloxera infestation, the first Vintage Festival was held and was a huge success. The event continued as a multi-day street fair and parade through 1917, then was briefly revived in 1921, but that event was not as successful — as prohibition began in 1920.

• With the repeal of prohibition at the end of 1933, the Vintage Festival came back in 1934 and 1935, drawing up to 50,000 people. The event went on a hiatus during most of World War II —1939 to 1945 — but there was a one-day event in October 1942.

• In 1949 a slimmed-down event was held at Carpy Field — Saint Helena Elementary School— and bounced back and forth between August and October through 1956, with events in 1955 and 1956 working to raise money for a community pool.

• The Harvest Festival began in 1987 and is now in its 37th year, although there was a modified event in 2020 because of the pandemic. This annual event includes a street fair, live music, vendors and even a pet PAWrade.

• Read more here about the community event that became a yearly tradition and ultimately, the Harvest Festival.

Celebration Of Harvest And Community

It is still cherished as one of St. Helena's longest-running events and continues to bring St. Helena residents, community groups, businesses and even pets together for a celebration of the harvest and the community.

This year's Hometown Harvest Festival kicks off at 7:45 a.m. Saturday with the 5K run to be followed at 9 a.m. with the 1-mile Fun Run.

At 10 a.m., the Pet PAWrade takes place at Oak Avenue and Pine Street.

The main event is the Harvest Festival street fair, which is from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. with live music, hand-crafted vendors, art exhibits, interactive booths, games, a kid's zone, food, beer, wine and more.

Schedule of Events & Activities:

• Community Fun Run by Core Community Fitness
  • 7:45 a.m. - 5K Run
  • 9:00 a.m. - 1-Mile Fun Run
  • Day-Of Registration Available (arrive early)
  • Starting lines at Oak Avenue and Adams Street
• FREE Bike Valet!?
  • Yes. From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oak Street Lot (near Roman Holiday Gelato)
  • Simply show up, drop off your bike with friendly volunteers, and enjoy your time knowing that your wheels are safe. Sponsored by Napa County Bicycle Coalition.
• Costumed Pet PAWrade!
  • 10 a.m. - Begins at Oak Avenue and Pine Street; Best Viewing at Oak Avenue and Adams Street
• Harvest Festival & Street Fair
  • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • artisan vendors, community organizations, food & wine court, fire engine rides, Blue Zones Project photo booth, Oddfellows wine auction
• Pumpkin Patch
  • 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. - St. Helena Elementary School campus courtyard
  • Pumpkins and bags of squash/mini-pumpkins are available for $5 each, proceeds go to support St. Helena FFA. Cash or check only.
• Classic Car Display
  • 10:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. - Tainter Street and Kearney Street
  • Organized by Brown's Auto Parts
• FREE Kids Activity Zone?!
  • Yes. From 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at St. Helena Catholic School in the parking lot
  • It features a climbing wall, inflatable slide, arts and crafts, and more in partnership with the St. Helena Primary & Elementary School Parent Teacher Group and Nimbus Arts.
• Main Stage & Live Music
  • Oak Avenue between Tainter Street and Spring Street
  • 11 a.m. Harvest Festival opening messages by Mayor Paul Dohring
  • 11:15 a.m. to noon Happy Accidents (rock and country music)
  • 12:15 p.m. to 12:45 p.m. Charros de la Dinastia Familia Segura (traditional horse and charro demonstration)
  • 1 p.m. to 1:35 p.m. Noema (jazz and rock fusion music)
  • 1:40 p.m. to 2 p.m. Ballet Folklorico "El Valle" St. Helena (dancing / performance)
  • 2 p.m. to 2:15 p.m. Robert Louis Stevenson Middle School Band (live band music)
  • 2:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. Band Maya (Latin roots tribute / Spanish & English classic hits)

Roads To Close Early Saturday Morning

Oak Avenue and some connecting and cross streets will be closed beginning at 4 a.m. Saturday, and cars will be towed. All streets are expected to reopen by 8 p.m.

Remember to drive with caution near the 5K Run and the 1-Mile Fun Run. The routes are shown in the below maps.

Map Of 5K Route

Map Of 1-Mile Route