On Saturday, October 7, 2023, as travelers came through Nederland after a morning of sauntering through the yellows and oranges of autumn, and a long line of traffic built on Highway 72, those looking for a unique mountain town experience didn’t have to wait long, as the Calvary Chapel Harvest Festival greeted them with fall-themed fun for the whole family.

With the organization of Maria Pratt, along with other members of the contemporary church, the hard work of dedicated volunteers, and the participation of talented local artists and artisans, the annual festival was a truly special and inclusive event that welcomed all who wished to celebrate and enjoy our community.

There were bright and beautiful handwoven Ugandan baskets sold by the nonprofit charity Harmony Life International to raise money for medical services and educational and entrepreneurial opportunities for the people of Uganda.

A variety of artists showcased their work, each presenting their own techniques and styles. Geneva Studio Fine Art & Photography delivered beautiful landscape paintings and a focus on wildlife and nature, as well as colorful small box canvases of flowers, birds, and cartoon cookies. Bradley Townsend showed his strikingly beautiful landscape paintings, depicting picturesque backcountry at sunrise and sunset, in the heart of balmy spring and of frigid winter.

Beatrice Sullivan’s paintings evoked a childhood excitement and reverence of nature, highlighting tree lines and mountain ridges aglow in multicolored neon splendor. Zach West of I2C2 Art transported art lovers to trippy worlds just bordering our own with his eclectic and original visions of fire foxes and water goats.

Artisans of different kinds of mediums were present at the festival, including Stephanie Navarrette with her impactful collage pieces, Nina Zychlinski with her dynamic and eye-popping alcohol ink paintings, as well as handmade jewelry, Maria Pratt with her beautiful and festive Christmas ornaments, and Laurie Meyers with her hand cut copper jewelry, which Meyers coats in gasses and flames with a torch as part of her incredibly unique process.

And two young vendors also had booths set up, including Vienn Vaughn, who was selling handmade and naturally sourced products, like bags of seeds for the garden, a lavender sleeping aid, keychains, and fire starters, and Forrest Kehoe, who sold a variety of delicately weaved hanging wall art, each distinctly original in its colors and design.

Children were welcome to get their faces painted and try out any of the special games and events to win tickets for prizes. All were welcome to participate in a cookie contest and enjoy delicious Navajo Tacos made by Harry and Mary Begay of Arizona.

The Begays became associated with the church through its missionary outreach to reservations, and have returned to serve their tacos at the Harvest Festival annually for several years.

Calvary Chapel offers contemporary worship on Sundays at 11 a.m. at 275 West 2nd Street (Highway 72) in Nederland. For more information call 303-258-3502.