With a harvest of more than 3,000 pounds of produce, the Brownwood Area Community Garden will celebrate its first growing season with a Harvest Festival Saturday, Oct. 16, at Riverside Park.

Activities for the celebration include a Vegetarian Chili Cook-off, Pumpkin Pie Bakeoff, Punkin’ Paintin’ for the kids, Jack O’Lantern face painting, an Oscar the Grouch Trashcan Veggie Roast, vendors and much more. The Brownwood Area Farmers Market will set up at the Harvest Festival for its season finale.

Entries for the Vegetarian Chili Cook-off and the Pumpkin Pie Bakeoff are now being accepted. Deadline for the Chili Cook-off is Wednesday, Oct. 6. Entries for the Pumpkin Pie Bakeoff will close Wednesday, Oct. 13. Entry forms and rules are available by calling 325-784-8453.

Area vendors can apply to set up for the Harvest Festival by calling 325-784-8453. Deadline for vendor applications is Wednesday, Oct. 6.

The date also marks World Food Day, an international event designed to increase awareness, understanding and informed, year-around action to alleviate hunger. The Community Garden invites all area residents to attend the Harvest Festival and participate in the fight against hunger, both locally and globally.

The Community Garden Harvest Festival will be from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For further information call 325-784-8453, or email bac_garden@yahoo.com.

The Brownwood Area Community Garden mission is to provide fresh, naturally grown produce to area food pantries to feed the hungry; provide space for residents who wish to garden according to natural methods; provide a venue for education on sustainable gardening practices; and to provide employment and on-the-job training opportunities for low-income workers.