Heber Valley Self-Reliance Group and the Wasatch Community Foundation invite families, neighbors, gardeners, farmers, and community members to come together for the 2026 Annual Harvest Festival, taking place October 23 from 5–8 p.m. and October 24 from 9 a.m.–2 p.m. at 1335 East Center Street in Heber City.
The free, family-friendly event celebrates the season’s harvest while highlighting the importance of self-reliance, emergency preparedness, local food, service, and community connection.
Now in its fifth year, the Community Garden and Harvest Festival continues to grow, creating opportunities for residents to learn practical skills, connect with local resources, enjoy the harvest, and lend a helping hand to neighbors in need.
“This is about much more than gathering a harvest,” says event organizer and founder Russ Olsen. “It’s about bringing our community together and building the skills, relationships, and resources that help our valley become stronger and more self-reliant. Community Unity is what this event is all about.”
A Harvest Worth Celebrating
One of the biggest highlights of the weekend will be the annual potato harvest, where volunteers can get their hands in the dirt and help gather potatoes for local food banks and other community organizations serving people in need. Volunteers can also earn potatoes for their own families, making the harvest a little bit like an Easter egg hunt, only with potatoes!
Children will have the opportunity to participate in the fun as well, including contests and prizes for those who discover the largest potatoes.
Throughout the weekend, attendees can enjoy:
- Free admission
- Potato harvesting and volunteer opportunities
- Contests and prizes
- Children’s activities
- Entertainment
- Information about self-reliance and emergency preparedness
- Local farmers’ market vendors
- Locally grown produce
- Local honey for purchase
- Food vendors featuring pizza and hamburgers
- Opportunities to purchase locally raised meat
- Opportunities to connect with organizations and vendors focused on
self-reliance and preparedness
Local Food and Self-Reliance
The festival will bring together vendors and community organizations whose work supports self-reliance and emergency preparedness, giving attendees an opportunity to discover resources and practical information they can use at home.
Local gardeners will also be invited to bring their own produce to sell at the festival’s farmers’ market, helping connect neighbors directly with locally grown food.
Honey will be available for purchase, along with meat raised on a regenerative ranch. The ranch has had its beef tested through Utah State University, with organizers highlighting its nutritional qualities compared with conventional grain-finished beef.
Food, Fun and Community
The festival kicks off Friday evening, October 23, from 5–8 p.m., with pizza and hamburgers for attendees to enjoy while taking part in the festivities.
On Saturday, October 24, the day begins at 9 a.m. with a free breakfast, followed by additional food offerings, including pizza and hamburgers, from noon to 2 p.m.
Whether you’re interested in growing your own food, preparing your family for an emergency, supporting local producers, volunteering, learning something new, or simply enjoying a fall day with your neighbors, the Annual Harvest Festival offers something for everyone.
After five years of growth, organizers hope the Community Garden and Harvest Festival will eventually expand to involve communities throughout the Heber Valley.
The goal is simple: bring people together, strengthen local connections, share resources, and build a more self-reliant community — together.
About Heber Valley Self-Reliance
The Heber Valley Self-Reliance Group is a grassroots nonprofit dedicated to strengthening community resilience and personal capability through practical education, training, and collaborative support.
The group provides workshops, events, and hands-on opportunities focused on emergency preparedness and self-sufficient living skills, including food production, water management, alternative energy, and financial resilience. Through these efforts, the organization works to empower individuals and families with the knowledge, skills, and resources they need to navigate life’s challenges with greater confidence and self-reliance.
The group also places a strong emphasis on community building, bringing residents together to share knowledge, develop practical skills, and create a more prepared, connected, and capable Heber Valley.
The Wasatch Community Foundation is proud to partner with the Heber Valley Self-Reliance Group by helping provide resources, sponsorship, and visibility for initiatives including self-reliance fairs, community events, and hands-on skill-building projects.
For more information about Heber Valley Self-Reliance, visit hebervalleyready.org.
Event Details
2026 Annual Harvest Festival
Presented by: Heber Valley Self-Reliance Group and Wasatch Community Foundation
Dates: Friday, October 23, 5–8 p.m. & Saturday, October 24, 9 a.m.–2 p.m.
Location: 1335 East Center Street, Heber City, Utah
Admission: Free
For more information, visit hebervalleyready.org.
