The first Calabash Gourd Festival will be held on Oct. 6 and 7 at Uesugi Farms, 14485 Monterey Highway, San Martin. The festival is sponsored by the Calabash Club of Silicon Valley, a gourd patch affiliated with the California Gourd Society.
There will be offering classes for adults, make-and-take-its for children (where children may engage in simple gourd art activities for a nominal fee to cover materials), a competitive exhibit of gourd art, opportunity drawings and vendor booths.
The festival is being held in conjunction with Uesugi Farm’s Pumpkin Patch, and attendees will be able to take advantage of their offerings as well, which include train and hay rides, musical entertainment and food vendor.
There is no admission charge for either event, just a $3 parking fee per vehicle.
Further information and a full class schedule along with registration form can be found at www.calabashclub.org, or by sending an e-mail to in**@Ca**********.org.
Adult full-day gourd classes are $65, and half-day classes are $45. For further information, please contact Pat Funke at pa*****@co*****.net.
There will also be vendor booths at the festival, representing commercial suppliers of hard shell gourds and gourd art supplies, as well as guilds and individuals who engage in creating gourd art for sale. For further information on vendors and space, please contact Connie Howell at dy**********@gm***.com.
Competitive Exhibit of Gourd Art: Will be held in the barn, where gourd artists are invited to submit up to three entries and the public are invited to select their favorites. A prize will be awarded to the winner at 4 p.m. Sunday. For further information on the competition, please contact Vicki Days at ki*****@ba*****.com.
Raffle: Will include two valuable works of gourd art and several items donated by gourd artists, which will be on display in the barn exhibit area.
Sample classes include Gourd Craft for Beginners, Marbling on a Gourd, Decoupage Gourd Bowls, Gourd Masks, Gourd Doll Ornaments, Gal Friday Gourd Pins, Beaded Gourd Necklaces, Twining on top of a Gourd, Gourd Oil Lamps and a Japanese Leaf Bowl.
The Calabash Club of Silicon Valley is a large group of both hobbyists and professional gourd artists located in the greater Santa Clara County region in Northern California.
Bi-monthly club meetings provide members the opportunity to enjoy speakers, learn new techniques and share gourd crafting tips, fun and fellowship. Throughout the year, the club participates in local community events, gourd fairs and art shows. Sub-groups meet regularly for gourd workshops, art circles and gourd related adventures. The Calabash Club publishes a bi-monthly newsletter. Guests are always welcome at bi-monthly meetings held in member homes or public facilities throughout the South Bay area.
Contact us for upcoming meeting information or any Gourd Festival related inquiries:
in**@Ca**********.org and www.calabashclub.org.
