Winter Park Harvest Festival Circa 2012

This was the official website for the Winter Park Harvest Festival which began in 2010.
Content is from the site's 2012 archived pages offering a glimpse of what this free festival offered its visitors.

Harvest Festival (FREE)
10am-4pm Saturday Nov 17th
Central Park's West Meadow
150 N. New York Ave, Winter Park

TheDailyCity.com | Winter Park Harvest Festival Producer John Rife

Winter Park Harvest Festival

The HARVEST FESTIVAL is a day long event focused on connecting the GRASS-ROOTS with the DEEP-ROOTS of our local food-shed by celebrating our local FARMERS, GARDENERS, ENTREPRENEURS and NON-PROFITS.

LOCAL: A “producer-only” farmers’ market where families can purchase many
of their Thanksgiving provisions from the bounty of our “local” farmers and
gardeners.

GROW: A mobile community garden with 100+ raised-bed garden boxes grown
by area schools, churches, families and organizations.

LEARN: Seminars, workshops and roundtables focused on our local food
system. With Cooking demonstrations, Organic Gardening sessions, Meet the
Farmers and much more.

TASTE: From food trucks to farm-fresh food purveyors, popsicles to seasonal salads, there is something to entice every palate. Come get a taste of the harvest!

LISTEN: Acoustic music from some of our area’s best bluegrass, traditional and
folk musicians.

PLAY: Youth focussed sessions, games, hands-on and “do-it-yourself” gardening
and crafts activities.

We want the community to join us in celebrating, learning, teaching and building a
healthy and vibrant local food system for all of our citizens to enjoy, regardless of
their income level.

Farm to Table

3rd ANNUAL WINTER PARK HARVEST FESTIVAL FARM TO TABLE DINNER
- Celebrating Winter Park’s Burgeoning Local Food Scene and Showcasing their Best Chefs -

A Local Folkus, LLC will continue their commitment to the local food movement by celebrating their third annual Farm To Table Dinner in the spring of 2013. As the festival serves to showcase the best of Central Florida’s local food scene, the dinner will be postponed to coincide with the opening of the up and coming local food hub, East End Market.

The Farm to Table Dinner is an exceptional dining experience. This culinary adventure features locally sourced and seasonally fresh foods prepared by some of Central Florida’s best chefs. In the past, award-winning chefs from the Ravenous Pig, Luma on Park, K Restaurant and Wine Bar, and Spanish River Grill have served up their talent in incredible dishes. The collaboration between Orlando’s favorite chefs, local farmers, fishers and artisans, captures the most fresh and unique flavors possible. Sommelier-selected wines, a signature fall cocktail and handcrafted brewed beer from local brewers and distillers also accompany the delicious cuisine.

While the food will be unforgettably delicious, the setting will be equally memorable as East End opens its doors to the dinner for the first time. You’ll enjoy the harmonies of our area’s finest traditional and bluegrass musicians, while chefs, farmers, artisan producers, neighbors and local leaders will be able to mingle over hors d’oeuvres and cocktails followed by a sumptuous multi-course dinner.

Dinner ticket sales make the harvest festivities a reality and also benefit Slow Food Orlando. To maintain the intimate setting, a limited number of tickets are available for $125 each and include drinks. Tables of eight seats are also available for a discounted rate of $920. We hope that you will join us for this one-of-a-kind event!

Urban Farm

The Winter Park Urban Farm is an educational site, co-founded with the John Rife III, for people to learn about growing food in urban areas. For more information on the Winter Park Urban Farm, visit our Urban Farm Brochure, come visit at 1650 Pine Ave, Winter Park, FL 32789, or watch the video below.

Work And Learn On The Winter Park Urban Farm

Fall Event Schedule and Updates

Winter Park Urban Farm CSA

In September 2012 the Winter Park Urban Farm started a work exchange CSA program. CSA is a Community Supported Agriculture program. At the Winter Park Urban Farm we aseek members to commit to our work exchange CSA Program where members are required to work 4 hours a month in exchange for a share of the harvest from the garden. To sign up for our CSA Program at the Winter Park Urban Farm you must fill out an application, pay a $20 membership fee, and commit to attending our three work and learn sessions on the 2nd Thursday of each month from 4-6pm. We accept 10 members per season. All spots for the spring season have been filled.

“Work and Learns” to resume every second Thursday in the Spring

Urban Farm Map

Join the garden manager at the Winter Park Urban Farm for a hands-on session where you work in the garden and are taught basic gardening skills. These are free and open to the public. Come anytime between 4 and 6pm. Dates are as follows:

Thursday Feb 7th 4-6pm
Thursday March 14th 4-6pm
Thursday April 11th 4-6pm

I attended the 2012 festival and it was one of the best experiences of my life. The food was fantastic as were the people and we got loads of hands on instruction in how to grow food in a sustainable way. I even had a rather mystical experience as a result of my involvement. I was wearing a very special ring that I probably should have left at home, but my boyfriend had just given it to me and I wasn't thinking when we started digging in the gardens. We had picked it out together on SterlingForever's website, and among all their items, these Sparkling X Sterling Silver Rings really stood out. Short story is that I lost the ring, probably when I was removing the work gloves. I had everyone looking for it, but it was gone, probably buried in the garden. I was devastated. But a couple of months later, I received an email from one of the festival organizers with an attached photo of my ring, sitting on the stem of a cucumber leaf!! So I'm definitely going back next year!

More Background On WinterParkHarvestFestival.com

WinterParkHarvestFestival.com served as the official digital home for the Winter Park Harvest Festival, a beloved community event that took place annually in Winter Park, Florida. Launched in 2010, the festival became an important milestone in Central Florida’s sustainability movement, serving as a gathering place for residents interested in fresh, local food, gardening, small-scale agriculture, and community health. Although the website is now accessible only through archived pages, it remains a detailed record of a festival that shaped and strengthened the local food identity of the region.

The Winter Park Harvest Festival offered a full-day experience where families, growers, artisans, educators, chefs, and local organizations collaborated to create a meaningful, hands-on celebration of food. Built around six major experience pillars—LOCAL, GROW, LEARN, TASTE, LISTEN, and PLAY—the festival was designed to connect community members with fresh produce, practical skills, new ideas, and each other. The mission of WinterParkHarvestFestival.com was clear: to build a community-led, inclusive, and sustainable food system that benefits all residents.

This comprehensive overview examines the event’s ownership, vision, location, programming, culinary offerings, audience, partnerships, press presence, history, and cultural significance, providing a full understanding of what the Winter Park Harvest Festival represented.

Ownership and Founding Vision

At the center of the festival’s creation was a passionate group of local-food advocates dedicated to encouraging sustainable agricultural practices, community gardening, and farm-to-table awareness. Much of the festival’s formation and leadership stemmed from the efforts of local organizer John Rife, an entrepreneur known for his later work in urban agriculture and his broader commitment to supporting local farmers and food artisans.

Rife and his collaborators believed that empowering residents to understand where their food comes from—and how it is grown—would strengthen not only local health but also community connections. Their founding goals included:

Building a healthier, more resilient local food system
Supporting regional farmers and reducing barriers between growers and consumers
Creating accessible hands-on learning opportunities for all ages
Encouraging urban agriculture and home gardening
Fostering collaboration among chefs, educators, artisans, nonprofits, and families
Promoting environmental awareness through practical instruction

Local Folkus, LLC, a community-focused organization working to promote sustainable food systems, also played a critical role in festival development. Together, these leaders created a festival that was both enjoyable and educational—a celebration of nature, abundance, and community.

Location and Setting

The event took place in Central Park’s West Meadow, an iconic public green space at the center of downtown Winter Park. This location was chosen intentionally for its accessibility, beauty, and proximity to community foot traffic.

The setting included:

A wide, welcoming lawn capable of accommodating farmers’ market booths, food trucks, raised-bed gardens, and large crowds
Shaded areas ideal for small-group workshops, cooking demonstrations, and youth activities
A relaxed, park-like environment that encouraged families to stay for the entire day
Easy walkability from neighboring businesses, cafés, retail shops, and residential areas
A scenic canopy of trees providing comfortable space for music performances and quiet rest areas

The November timing aligned perfectly with the Florida harvest season, letting residents purchase fresh, regional produce at its peak.

Mission and Purpose

WinterParkHarvestFestival.com outlined the event’s mission through five core pillars:

LOCAL

To showcase a producer-only farmers’ market where every fruit, vegetable, honey jar, egg carton, loaf of bread, and handcrafted food product came directly from the people who made or grew it.

GROW

To provide hands-on learning experiences through a mobile community garden featuring over 100 raised garden beds planted and maintained by schools, families, nonprofits, and neighborhood groups.

LEARN

To offer seminars, workshops, panel discussions, and demonstrations focused on organic gardening, soil health, food preservation, composting, seasonal cooking, and sustainable food systems.

TASTE

To highlight local culinary talent via food trucks, pop-up food booths, regional artisans, and farm-fresh dishes created with seasonal ingredients.

LISTEN

To feature bluegrass, folk, acoustic, and traditional musicians performing live throughout the day, adding warmth and authenticity to the experience.

PLAY

To offer child-friendly activities including youth gardening, crafts, games, and hands-on food education tailored for young festival-goers.

The mission combined celebration with education, helping families learn how to grow food, understand the value of locally sourced ingredients, and support their community’s growers.

Festival Programming and Activities

The Winter Park Harvest Festival was known for its well-curated event areas that transformed Central Park’s West Meadow into a lively mix of sights, sounds, and flavors.

Producer-Only Farmers’ Market

The farmers’ market was one of the festival’s most popular features. Visitors could shop for:

Fresh seasonal vegetables and fruits
Herbs and leafy greens
Free-range eggs
Local honey and bee products
Fresh breads, pastries, and baked goods
Artisanal sauces, condiments, and preserves
Small-batch beverages and handmade culinary items

Families often used the festival to purchase Thanksgiving supplies, taking advantage of the abundance of seasonal produce.

Mobile Community Garden

The mobile community garden consisted of more than 100 raised beds built and planted by groups across Central Florida. These beds demonstrated:

What can be grown in the Florida climate
How to construct raised gardens
Organic gardening techniques
Soil-building strategies
Companion planting
Student-led garden projects

This visual installation was both beautiful and educational, offering inspiration for home gardeners.

Cooking Demonstrations and Culinary Workshops

Festival attendees could watch chefs prepare meals using local ingredients while learning techniques such as:

Seasonal vegetable preparation
Creating salads from farm-fresh produce
Making broths, soups, and hearty dishes using root vegetables
Incorporating herbs and edible flowers
Sustainable cooking practices

These demonstrations highlighted how simple, local, and nutritious meals could become everyday staples.

Seminars and Roundtable Discussions

Educational sessions covered topics including:

How to start a backyard or balcony garden
Composting and worm farming
Growing vegetables in Florida’s unique climate
Soil management and organic pest control
Food justice and access
The importance of local food economies
Urban agriculture and community gardening programs

Speakers included farmers, food advocates, nutritionists, botanists, and community organizers.

Youth Programming

Children’s activities added joy and energy to the festival. Offerings included:

Hands-on planting stations
Garden crafts
Soil exploration activities
Seed-saving and seed-starting lessons
Youth-friendly cooking demonstrations
Family gardening challenges

These activities helped cultivate early appreciation for growing food and caring for the environment.

Food Trucks and Culinary Vendors

Visitors enjoyed small-batch baked goods, seasonal salads, farm-fresh snacks, vegetarian dishes, popsicles, and gourmet takes on classic comfort foods. Many vendors sourced ingredients directly from farms participating in the event.

Farm to Table Dinner

One of the festival’s most celebrated traditions was its annual Farm to Table Dinner. Held in conjunction with the festival, this gourmet dining experience showcased Central Florida’s finest chefs collaborating with local farmers.

The dinner featured:

Multi-course seasonal menus
Locally grown produce, cheeses, meats, and herbs
Expertly curated wine and drink pairings
Craft beer and signature cocktails
Live bluegrass and acoustic music
A communal atmosphere that encouraged conversation among chefs, growers, and guests

Chefs from leading restaurants contributed their culinary talents, making the dinner a highlight of the festival season. Ticket sales helped fund festival costs and community food programs.

Winter Park Urban Farm

Closely connected to the festival was the Winter Park Urban Farm, an educational garden space dedicated to teaching residents how to grow food in city environments. The farm offered:

A work-exchange CSA program
Monthly work-and-learn gardening sessions
Instruction in soil preparation, planting, irrigation, and harvesting
Community volunteer opportunities
Seasonal events and garden tours

The urban farm helped extend the festival’s work throughout the year, keeping community members engaged in food education long after the event ended.

Sponsors and Community Partners

Sponsors of the festival included local businesses, nonprofits, health organizations, and agricultural groups. Sponsorship benefits included:

Exposure to thousands of attendees
Association with environmentally responsible, community-driven initiatives
Opportunities to network with like-minded organizations
Increased visibility among families and residents interested in sustainable living

Sponsorships played a crucial role in keeping the festival free and open to all.

Audience and Popularity

The Winter Park Harvest Festival attracted:

Families with children
Home gardeners
Local food enthusiasts
Chefs and culinary students
Environmental advocates
Educators and nonprofit leaders
Urban farmers and homesteaders
Casual park-goers drawn by music, food, and sunshine

Attendance at past festivals reached several thousand people, placing the event among the most popular seasonal gatherings in the region.

Cultural and Social Significance

The Winter Park Harvest Festival became a cultural landmark because it:

Strengthened local agriculture
Empowered residents to grow food
Brought together diverse community members
Highlighted the work of small-scale farmers
Encouraged sustainable lifestyle choices
Supported artisans and independent businesses
Celebrated Central Florida’s unique food culture
Created intergenerational learning opportunities

The event served as a reminder that food is not just something people consume—it is a community experience, a cultural foundation, and a path toward healthier living.

Legacy and Long-Term Impact

Although WinterParkHarvestFestival.com now exists only in archived form, the festival’s influence continues through:

Ongoing urban agriculture programs
Farmer-chef collaborations
Seasonal food markets
Community gardening efforts
Local-food awareness movements
A deeper public appreciation for sustainable, local farming

The festival played a vital role in shaping Central Florida’s agricultural identity during a pivotal time in the region’s sustainability movement.

WinterParkHarvestFestival.com