Food, fun and unity at Harvest Festival

The aroma of fragrant flavors filled the air at the annual St. John the Evangelist Parish Harvest Festival on Sunday. With over a dozen food vendors, it was a foodie's delight. Coupled with live music, it made for an afternoon of family fun and community unity.

Event chair and Councilmember Gilberto Reyna enthusiastically expressed his gratitude to all the contributors. "It is through the very important contributions of the various church groups that we can bring this festival celebration to fruition every year. They are the ones that prepare all of the dishes available."

Reyna also noted the day's beautiful weather. "People brought their lawn chairs and came early to relax and enjoy the entertainment. Others brought their blankets to sit on the grass under the shade of a tree. It was so nice to see so many families come out united in the spirit of the festivities."

After almost a decade of organizing the event, Reyna shared that the most rewarding aspect is knowing that all the funds raised support the parish. Father Loji Pilones, who joined the parish in August, explained, "It's one of our church's major fundraising initiatives to support our needs of the parish, and I think there is nothing more attractive to have than this kind of festival because it combines music and rich food."

Every year, the festival features live performers beloved by attendees, and this year was no different. One of those performers was Jessica Alberto. "I attend St. John's, so it's nice to be a part of these events that give back to the church. God is a big part of my life, so any event related to the church is a lot of fun and brings me joy."

Additionally, members from Shafter's W.C. Walker Senior Center performed at the festival. Dancer Maria Martinez explained the significance behind the group's routine: "That people see that age is not a barrier to doing what one wants. And emphasize that planting and harvesting are important for life."

Martinez aimed to create enthusiasm, participation and happiness through the performance. "The dances were reminiscent of indigenous culture, performed to give thanks to God and for the harvest that nourishes us. This dance is called the Dance of Work."

Estela Aguilar, a regular festival attendee, particularly enjoyed the pozole. "I always like the variety of food. It's a really nice event to celebrate the harvest season. It's a great family event, and the children love it. The church does a fantastic job organizing it."

Among the parish organizations providing food was Grupo San Juan Evangelista, a chorus group that performs at the parish every Saturday. Leader Faustino Venancio shared, "We prepare all our dishes with lots of love and care."