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Picture This: 53rd annual Talent Harvest Festival

Entries mark the beginning of the dog parade downtown during the 53rd annual Talent Harvest Festival in October 2024. Rogue Valley Times photo by Andy Atkinson
October 5, 2024

Sights, sounds, smells make for a seasonal feast for the senses

Photos by Andy Atkinson, Rogue Valley Times

The 53rd annual Talent Harvest Festival was held Saturday downtown under perfectly sunny autumn skies.

Thousands turned out for the event, which kicked off with the Talent Harvest Festival 5K, 10K and Fun runs, and included a morning pet parade. Live music was played at the Wagner Plaza, Old Town Park and the Library Commons Park.

Locals and visitors makes their way through the downtown streets during the 53rd annual Talent Harvest Festival on Saturday. Rogue Valley Times photo by Andy Atkinson

Families with young ones encountered a trove of activities, entertainers and performances at the KidZone in Library Commons Park.

More than 80 local art, craft and growers booths were on display across the entire downtown, and festival-goers purchased cuisine and drinks from a handful of food trucks stationed near the Talent Skate Park.

Andy Atkinson has been capturing action-packed shots across the Rogue Valley for 25 years. Reach him at aatkinson@rv-times.com. This photo story first appeared in the Rogue Valley Times.

The dog parade kept people and pooches moving Saturday morning during the 53rd annual Talent Harvest Festival downtown. Rogue Valley Times photo by Andy Atkinson
Longtime Rogue Valley musician Jeff Kloetzel performs streetside during the 53rd annual Talent Harvest Festival on Saturday. Rogue Valley Times photo by Andy Atkinson
Sharon Wieczorek pours a sample from locally grown elderberries from VitalBerry Farm during the Talent Harvest Festival downtown Saturday. Rogue Valley Times photo by Andy Atkinson
Locals check out flowers made by BBG Creations during the 53rd annual Talent Harvest Festival downtown Saturday. Rogue Valley Times photo by Andy Atkinson
Tori Johnson takes a selfie with friends Savanna Varela and Bradley Rutherford during the 53rd annual Talent Harvest Festival Saturday in downtown Talent. Rogue Valley Times photo by Andy Atkinson
A puppy looks cool during the dog parade at the 53rd annual Talent Harvest Festival downtown Saturday. Rogue Valley Times photo by Andy Atkinson
Patrick Homa peels back a fresh ear of corn from Red Buttes Farm at the 53rd annual Talent Harvest Festival downtown Saturday. Rogue Valley Times photo by Andy Atkinson
Bill Whitley of Medford gets his dog Tater ready for the dog parade Saturday morning during the 53rd annual Talent Harvest Festival downtown. Rogue Valley Times photo by Andy Atkinson
Talent Mayor Darby Ayers-Flood, left, says hello to a dog named Dexter during the dog parade at the 53rd annual Talent Harvest Festival Saturday. Rogue Valley Times photo by Andy Atkinson
Picture of Bert Etling

Bert Etling

Bert Etling is the executive editor of Ashland.news. Email him at betling@ashland.news.

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