The annual Farm City Celebration Harvest Festival was back at Bidwell Mansion on Saturday to bring some fun and teach people about the importance of local businesses. With so many activities and booths out, there was something for everyone to enjoy.

Coordinator Katie Junk explained the festival’s goals and the importance of buying and supporting local food and businesses.

“What farm city is about is introducing agriculture to cities,” Junk said. “What the festival is really about is spreading awareness of local agriculture.”

Junk said that local food is also better because it’s a little more fresh and also supports our local community.

She also emphasized that,“The most important thing is just educating the public about the farm and the importance of buying local.”

In addition to supporting growing local foods, the festival had some local groups set up to talk to people about what they do.

Multiple booths were set up on the mansion grounds to promote local groups and organizations, including the Equestrian Association, which creates space for horse lovers and riders alike.

Kay Eagon, who was at the booth for the association, talked about how it created a community for horse lovers in Chico and why she loves it.

“It’s been wonderful because when I came to a new area I wanted to meet other people who had horses who like to do the same things that I like to do,” Eagon said. “It’s been a great way for me to learn more about the people and horse-riders in Chico.”

Other activities in the festival included a bounce house, horse-drawn carriage rides and pumpkin painting for the kids.

A sophomore at Chico High, Payton Hubbard, was one of the people in charge of the booth.

“These are all pumpkins from our Henshaw pumpkin patch,” Hubbard said. “We take the time, we plant them in July so they’re ready for Halloween.”

The local charm this festival brought made the event special for the Chico community.

Danielle Kessler can be reached at [email protected] or @reserv0irpups on Twitter.