Harvest Festival brings fun to Community Gardens
The Leisure World Community Gardens were filled with music and laughter during LW’s first-ever Harvest Festival on Oct. 25. The event drew a large crowd of residents who came together to enjoy a morning of food, live entertainment and fall activities, all while supporting a good cause.
“This event really showcases the heart of our community,” Recreation Director Jesse Cripps said. “Residents came out not only to have fun, but also to support the OC Food Bank and make a difference. We’re so proud of what everyone accomplished together.
More than 1,000 cans of food were collected for the OC Food Bank through community donations. Each contribution helped fill the food drive bins and earned participants raffle tickets for prizes that added extra excitement to the day.
Susanna Kiely’s gardening demonstration drew an enthusiastic audience as guests learned how to grow basil, bell pepper and lettuce plants from seed. Participants took home seedlings to grow.
The Wimberley Bluegrass Band kept spirits high
Residents dressed in festive florals participated in a gardenwide scavenger hunt.
Laurie Bullock
In between scavenger hunting, snacking and listening to music, guests enjoyed playing games, like this oversized Jenga.
Laurie Bullock with three lively sets of Bluegrass favorites.
Raffle winners included Christine Harrison, who received a free garden plot for one year; Rhonda Hanna, who won a $100 Visa gift card donated by J& J Landscaping; and grand prize winner Masoumeh Molan-Zadeh, who took home a 55” LCD television donated by On-Site Sales.
This year’s Harvest Festival was sponsored by SCAN, Serenity Home Care and Primary Care Associates of California.
—Recreation Department
Residents decorated their golf carts during the Rollin' Thunder parade before the festival.
Laurie Bullock
Masoumeh "Mimi" Molan-Zadeh from Mutual 11 cel -
ebrated her birthday by winning the grand prize.
Laurie Bullock
Jackie Hildebrand from Mutual 11 (left) and Bonnie Freund, Mutual 15 with her canine pal, Snickers Freund.
Laurie Bullock
The Wimberly Bluegrass Band were the festival's entertainment this year.
Laurie Bullock
Lily and Scottie McCoy from Mutual 5Laurie Bullock
