PUTNEY-The Putney School will hold its 90th annual Harvest Festival Sunday, Oct. 12, beginning at 10 a.m. on the school's campus at 418 Houghton Brook Rd. and continuing until 3:30 p.m.
Alumni, parents, the local community, and friends of the school are all welcome to this free event. Attendees of all ages can roam among a range of farm and craft booths, vendors, kids' activities, and food stalls.
The Harvest Festival is a tradition as old as the school itself. It began in 1935, when Carol "Hutch" Maynard, the school's original farm manager, decided all the year's farm work and the harvest deserved appreciation. The faculty, staff, and students were quick to agree. Floats were built, songs and dances prepared, farm animals groomed, and invitations were sent, giving birth to a Putney tradition.
This year, the farm-inspired parade steps off at 11:30 a.m. The parade will be followed by games and races, a family dance and Maypole festival on the East Lawn at 12:15 p.m., and a chance to sing along with the Putney School Orchestra at 2 p.m. in Calder Hall. Putney School students will play live music throughout the day.
Prior to the formal start of the festival at 10 a.m., the 5K Red Leaf Ramble, a walk/run on the Putney's School's cross country trails starts at 9 a.m. Registration begin at 8:30 a.m. at the Field House, and participation is free.
The day will culminate in an alumni reception at the Currier Center at 3 p.m. For full schedule of events and more information, visit putneyschool.org/harvest-festival.
This Special section item was submitted to The Commons.