Fall Fun at the Pomegranate Festival

By CORINNE MESSER

The Progress

A Saturday afternoon crowd enjoys the Pomegranate Arts Festival held last weekend at the Clark County Fairgrounds in Logandale. There was plenty to do and see. PHOTO BY VERNON ROBISON/The Progress

Fall in Moapa Valley means it’s time for the Pomegranate Arts Festival. Sponsored by the Moapa Valley Art Guild, this event was held November 4-5 at the Clark County Fairgrounds.

There were over 100 vendors selling all handmade items of jewelry, pottery, artwork, food items, lotions, soaps, Christmas decorations, quilts, and other sewn fabric items just to name a few.

Upon entrance to the fairgrounds, attendees were met by members of the Art Guild selling homemade pomegranate jelly and raffle tickets. All the proceeds go towards art scholarships for local high school graduates. The winners of the raffle took home hand-crafted items donated by the Festival’s vendors.

In addition to the Art Guild, other pomegranate-themed vendors were in attendance. Russ Leavitt Jelly, Rawson Jelly, and A Taste of Pomegranate, were all selling varied flavored jellies, syrups, and other pomegranate-seasoned treats.

Members of a local dance group provided entertainment for the crowds at the Pomegranate Art Festival on Saturday afternoon. PHOTO BY VERNON ROBISON/The Progress

Close by was Becky Whipple’s Whipped Together Creations which included intricately carved wooden Christmas tree ornaments and earrings. Becky is a local who has always had a love for crafting.

Another popular vendor is called Bare Essential Soap Company run by Tara Wolfley. “When my daughter won a VFW essay contest, she bought goats with her award money,” Wolfley said. “I wanted to do something with the goat’s milk, so I began making goat’s milk soap. Then I began making body butter, shea butter lotion, and deodorants using natural oils.” Wolfley also carries some men’s products. She can be found selling her items locally on 2nd Saturday’s market.

House of Minky, based out of Washington, Utah, makes very soft blankets called “Minkies.” They had several for sale and could also custom print any design including adding family photos on the Minky blanket.

Honey producers, Mitch and Tiffany Ozaki were selling their Ozaki Honey. “We enjoy having a local product and sharing it with our community,“ said Mitch.

Local pomegranate product vendors Carrie and Scott Beckstrand sell their wares to the crowds at the Pomegranate Arts Festival held last weekend. PHOTO BY VERNON ROBISON/The Progress

The Ozakis sell two flavors of honey, Moapa Valley and Wildflowers, which is from Beaver, Utah. They also sell whipped honey. Their products can be bought at Overton’s True Value Hardware.

Located inside the Fine Arts building, along with the hand-crafted vendors, was the Moapa Valley Art Guild inviting people to join their organization and showcasing their works of art for sale.
Several food trucks were on hand including Papa’s Gyros, Great Basin Cooking Company, Soda Papa’s, Fired Up Creations, White Boys Tacos, Fruitzle, Flipn Grill, and Deep Fried Goodies to name a few.

On Friday, entertainment was provided by the Country Kickers, Grant Bowler Honor Choir, and X Phi Change. Saturday’s entertainment started with the Muddy River Cloggers, followed by Moapa Valley Tumbling Team, Clark County Parks and Rec Dancers, the father-daughter duo of Rick Houston and Alicia Houston Bush, and the Saturday entertainment ended with the Country Kickers.

Art guild President Aime’e Potts expressed appreciation to many who helped make the festival a success.
”We appreciate Rick Houston for volunteering his time by operating the sound equipment,” Potts said. “Thanks to Conner Adams who is amazing at placing our signs where they need to be and for his help with the building usage. I am also grateful for our Art Guild members who helped make this festival happen.”