Fall festival returns to Greenbank Farm

Sept. 30 celebration of harvest and community

A celebrity pie-eating challenge, live music and lots of fresh, local produce highlight the return of a fall festival to Greenbank Farm.

The Port of Coupeville, which owns and manages the historic farm buildings and grounds, organized the Sept. 30 event with input from neighbors.

“In talking to merchants and community, there was an overwhelming request the farm host once again a few select community events,” said Kellie Tormey, who oversees community programs for Greenbank Farm and the Port.

“The farm has a long history of hosting fairs in the fall, the most popular one being the Loganberry Festival,” she said. “Since the Port took over about two years ago, we really haven’t done any event in the fall.”

Greenbank Farm’s 2018 Harvest Faire, scheduled noon to 5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 30, is also part of the week-long Whidbey Island Grown activities.

“Merchants helped come up with the concept to partner with Whidbey Island Grown during its week-long celebration of harvest.

“There’s really no better place to do that than 1904 Greenbank Farm.”

Events will take place indoors and outdoors.

Vintage cars, barbecue and wine, beer and cider will be part of the food, fun and festivities. Activities for all, such as pumpkin painting and corn toss, are also featured.

Also scheduled are several demonstrations: floral stylist Lisa Hampton will show how to make fresh, fall accents for the home and WSU Extension Office and Master Gardeners will teach how to make a fairy garde, craft a sleep sachet and demonstrate animal care with 4-H members.

Get there by 1 p.m. to witness some well-known Whidbey politicians and others gobble up pie, provided by Whidbey Pies, of course, one of Greenbank Farm’s numerous tenants.

“We think it will be a timed pie-eating contest and after three minutes, whoever consumes the most, wins,” Tormey explained.

More than 20 arts, crafts and farm vendors have registered for booths and several food trucks are expected.

Leashed well-behaved pets are welcome. In addition to the Port of Coupeville and Whidbey Island Grown, the harvest event is sponsored by Greenbank Farm merchants.

Greenbank Farm’s 2018 Harvest Faire is noon -5 p.m., Sunday, Sept. 30. Food, produce, arts, crafts, music and more, part of Whidbey Island Grown Week. At Greenbank Farm, 765 Wonn Road. Deadline for $15 vendor booth is Sept. 21. For information go to www. portoc.org/