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By EDEN DUNCAN GILBREATH Special to the Hood County News
One of Granbury’s most beloved events transpires this weekend with the Harvest Moon Festival of the Arts Friday, Oct. 25 through Sunday, Oct. 27.
This year’s event includes over 90 artists from all over the country. Crowds come for miles to celebrate fine art and fine art craft and to enjoy the somewhat cooler temperatures.
HISTORY
In the decades since inception the festival has gone through many changes. Previous to the Harvest Moon Festival of the Arts was the 1974 Harvest Festival sponsored by the Bicentennial commission to support their plans for the Bicentennial Celebration of 1976. The celebration included booths and barbeque.
In 1978 the first Harvest of the Arts Festival was celebrated. In 1988 the county celebrated the 10th annual Harvest of the Arts, the event was sponsored by the Hood County Arts Council — one of at least three arts councils the county would see over the years.
The event was then inherited by the Historic Granbury Merchants Association. By the 1990s the event was renamed The Harvest Moon Festival of the Arts.
The Harvest of the Arts/Harvest Moon Festival of the Arts of earlier decades included children’s art, featured artists and demonstrations, visiting book authors and book signings, scarecrow decorating contests, decorated pumpkin contests, tractor shows and races, light plant displays, country food contest and a harvest moon dance.
For some years the vision of an event focused on fine art seemed to be lost. The 2000s brought more art tourism to Granbury and a return to a celebration of fine art and fine art craft at the Harvest Moon Festival of the Arts. Artists would then be required to submit images of their work to be considered; this helped to maintain the high quality we see today.
TODAY
Granbury saw the fruition of the work of many people over many years in establishing Granbury as a destination for art tourism, the Harvest Moon Festival of the Arts was part of that grass roots movement. The event is now sponsored by the Historic Merchants Association in partnership with Visit Granbury.
In 2024 during the Harvest Moon Festival, Granbury received a designation from the Texas Commission on the Arts for our Cultural Arts District. Cultural districts are designated zones that harness cultural resources to stimulate economic growth and community vitality.
“Events like the Harvest Moon Festival power Granbury’s tourism economy. Tourism is Granbury’s number one industry. The added benefit of a festival dedicated to the arts really propels it to another level. The City of Granbury supports new events, and the growth of existing events by providing support through Visit Granbury. As the official ‘Celebration Capital of Texas’ and now the Cultural District Designation, it really showcases the level of commitment to art and our community provided from the City of Granbury/Visit Granbury,” said Tammy Dooley, director of Visit Granbury.
Though the activities have changed over the years the festival continues to provide education, entertainment and opportunities for patrons to meet artists.
“Additionally, art events have tremendous opportunities to grow and provide quality of life for our community. Art and events are powerful tourism dollar generators into the city.” Dooley continued
THE 2024 HARVEST OF THE MOON STAGE SCHEDULE
Live music both days on the courthouse stage.
Saturday
10-11 a.m.: Banter
11 a.m.-noon Grace Kelly
Noon-1 p.m.: Kendi Jean
2-3 p.m.: D.J.- dance music
3-4 p.m.: Randy Hawkins
4-5 p.m.: Keenan Hegarty
5-6 p.m.: Ranee Austen with Josh Drewes
Sunday
10-11 a.m.: Jackie Moore Gospel Hour
1-3 p.m.: Granbury Jazz Orchestra
2:00 pm Sunday Live Band Musical Chairs for Cash Prizes
3-4 pm: Master Chi
THE ARTISTS OF THE HARVEST MOON FESTIVAL
The highlight and purpose of the festival is to celebrate fine art. The artists who display around the courthouse are juried in. After selected, they pay a booth fee to be included. The work is diverse both in media and subject matter, there is truly something for every taste. Booths are open during the day both Saturday and Sunday.
THE COATES WESTERN ART EXHIBITION AND SALE
This year’s charity event will be held in the Lake Granbury Conference Center with the goal of providing sculpture for the Shanley Sculpture Garden. The two day event on Friday, Oct. 25 and Saturday, Oct. 26 is sponsored by the Granbury Arts Alliance which brings both traditional and contemporary western artists to Granbury from far and wide. Saturday is free and open to the public. Friday is a VIP event that allows art patrons and fans to mingle with the artists. Food, beverage and music will be part of the festivity. The VIP event is Friday from 6-9 p.m. with the show open Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tickets for the VIP portion are $50 at granburyartsalliance.org.
LAKE GRANBURY ART ASSOCIATION 6”x6” SALE
One of only two tax free fundraisers the non-profit 51 year-old organization is able to hold — the event includes 6”x6” work of the Lake Granbury Art Association members. All pieces are priced at just $30 each, the artists donate their art to support the art association. Making art affordable for all, members are also available to answer questions about what the LGAA offers.
MOONS OF THE HARVEST MOON
Be sure to visit the booth of the Granbury Arts Alliance where you can enter your silent bid on an original artwork. The “moons” are works created on round boards by local artists. Proceeds benefit the Granbury Arts Alliance who is celebrating 10 years of fulfilling their mission to drive community prosperity through sustaining the arts and a vibrant cultural lifestyle.
MASQUERADE PARTY
New to the Harvest Moon Festival of the Arts is the Masquerade Party on Saturday, Oct. 26 from 7-10 p.m. on the square. The party will be a street dance with entertainment by Michael Hix whose musical range spans from Bruno Mars to Bobby Darrin. Masks and costumes encouraged. This event is free and open to the public.
MUSICAL CHAIRS
A new event at this years Harvest Moon Festival of the Arts is musical chairs, sure to be fun and a cause for laugher among participants and spectators. The event includes live music, cash prizes and of course art. Location is the music stage.
WINE STROLL
Hosted by the Granbury Wine Society, the tastings will be Saturday 11 a.m. -7 p.m. and Sunday noon to 4 p.m. Guest will have the opportunity to stroll through the exhibits while enjoying a two ounce tasting wine pour from the wineries present. Favored wines can be purchased by the glass or by the bottle. Wineries for this year’s event are Barons Creek, Casual Friday, D/Vine, OG Cellars, Stone Trough and Whiskey Road. Tickets for the event are $35 and can be purchased at the Wine Society Booth.
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