Knoxville, Tenn. — CAC Beardsley Community Farm is bringing Harvest Fest back on Saturday, Oct. 24, from 1 to 4 p.m., with free food, drinks, fall treats and kids activities at the farm.
The farm also scheduled an October Community Workday for Oct. 17 from 9 a.m. to noon to tackle projects and get ready for Harvest Fest. Organizers say it will be the last Saturday volunteer day until February, and they welcome families, students, large groups and organizations.
Beardsley Farm programming is free to the community and prioritizes people with less access to resources needed for healthy lives. The farm offers WorkShare slots on a wait list, plus spring, summer and fall internships for high school and college students and anyone with extra time.
Harvest Fest is framed as a celebration of the farming season and community after a year without the event. Creative costumes are encouraged. Volunteers of all skill levels can help ahead of the festival through the Community Workday and regular volunteer pathways.
The farm sits in Knox County on Knoxville’s east side, where University of Tennessee Knoxville students are among the neighbors who can turn a Saturday into volunteer hours or a free fall festival afternoon. City leadership under Mayor Indya Kincannon oversees the municipal side of community recreation and neighborhood programming that farms like Beardsley complement.
Neighbors who want garden experience while helping others can sign up to volunteer now, then return Oct. 24 for the free Harvest Fest block on the calendar. Updates continue through the farm’s event listings as Oct. 17 and Oct. 24 approach.