50th annual Harvest Festival returns to Cal Expo

Get in the holiday mood while celebrating autumn. It’s the annual Harvest Festival, returning to Cal Expo for three days.

Friday through Sunday, Nov. 18-20, hundreds of vendors will pack Cal Expo’s Pavilion building, offering a trove of unique handmade gifts and food. There will be lots of ideas for the gardeners on your list, too – and don’t forget yourself!

Billed as the “original art and craft show,” the Harvest Festival is celebrating its 50th anniversary. All items offered for sale are handmade or embellished – nothing mass produced.

“Peruse thousands of American handmade items featuring fine and fashion jewelry, wood art, wall art, ceramics, photography, specialty foods and more,” say the organizers. “One ticket is good for all three days.”

Besides the handmade goods, Vintage Alley features collectibles and more from bygone eras. New this year is the Harvest Festival “Makers Market”: Mini-booths for artisans and crafters making their festival debuts or just starting out on the festival circuit.

Show hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Admission is $9; seniors (age 62 and up) and military personnel, $7; youth ages 13 to 17, $4. Children age 12 and younger admitted free with an adult. Parking is $10.

Cal Expo is located at 1600 Exposition Blvd., Sacramento. Park in Lot D near the horse racing grandstand.

Details and advance tickets: harvestfestival.com.