Parks & Rec Fall Festival and fun run Saturday

Staff Reports

The 15th annual Fall Festival & Pumpkin Patch is 10 a.m. - 2 p.m. Saturday at Lampe Park Pavilion in Gardnerville. The free event is sponsored by University of Nevada Cooperative Extension's 4-H program, Douglas County Parks & Recreation, and Joe Benigno's Tree Service. There are nominal fees for food, pumpkins and some activities.

The Fall Festival features a fun run relay race, food, raffle, silent auction, face painting, petting zoo, cakewalk, carnival games, and a youth costume contest at noon. Expect a visit from Smokey Bear. Martial artists and gymnastics groups will perform demonstrations throughout the day.

"It's our big kickoff to our 4-H year which starts in October," said Shannon Montana, Douglas County 4-H youth development coordinator, University of Nevada Cooperative Extension. "We'll be overflowing with pumpkins, as well as a lot of other family fun."

The pumpkin fun run for children in preschool through fifth grade is $3 per child. Races begin at 10 a.m. and are divided for age levels for boys and girls.

All participants receive ribbons, with prizes awarded to top three runners of each heat. Turkeys are awarded for first place, pumpkin pies for second place, and third place picks a pumpkin.

Pre-register for the fun run at the recreation office, 1327 Waterloo Lane, Gardnerville, or 782-9828.

Joe Benigno's Tree Service is donating prizes for the costume contest and pumpkins sold for the 4-H fundraiser. Call the recreation office at 782-9828 for information on sponsorship opportunities.

Information, Shannon Montana at the cooperative extension, 782-9960.