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Harvest Festival is coming to Fresno Dec. 8 - 10

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Summers-McCann PR

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Dec 1, 2000, 7:30:05 PM12/1/00

Welcome to Fresno Harvest Festival!

The 28th annual Harvest Festival is coming to the Fresno Convention Center
on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, December 8, 9, and 10. The festival
provides a refreshing opportunity to purchase handcrafted wares directly
from the creators. The artists and artisans represented by Harvest
Festival have chosen careers reminiscent of times past. Some have left
high stress jobs and lucrative professions behind to lead simpler, more
creative, and more satisfying ways of life. For many artists and
craftspeople, Harvest Festival is the primary outlet for their goods.

An alternative to the shopping mall, Harvest Festival is a Christmas
shopper's paradise. Filled with sights, sounds, and sumptuous smells to
delight shoppers of every age, Harvest Festival offers a joyful shopping
experience. Shoppers will meet skilled artisans, many of whom demonstrate
their techniques; enjoy live entertainment; and sample delicious gourmet
foods.

For the first time ever, Harvest Festival joins the American Cancer Society
to support the fight against breast cancer. Those who attend will have the
opportunity to donate $1 of their full price adult admission to the
American Cancer Society breast cancer programs. Patrons can pick up
coupons at Long's Drugs the week of the event. Contribution coupons can
also be printed from the American Cancer Society's website:
www.cancer.org/ca. In addition, a portion of proceeds from the sale of
t-shirts will benefit local breast cancer programs.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
November 10, 2000

HOLIDAY SHOPPING AT FRESNO HARVEST FESTIVAL SUPPORTS LOCAL AMERICAN CANCER
SOCIETY BREAST CANCER PROGRAMS

Fresno, CA ~ Buy fabulous handcrafted gifts and support local American
Cancer Society breast cancer programs at the 28th annual Harvest Festival
on December 8, 9, and 10. The grand daddy of crafts shows comes to the
Fresno Convention Center just in time for the holidays.

Longs Drugs will distribute $1 coupons the week of the event, to be
presented at the box office with full price admission. For every coupon
received, Harvest Festival will contribute $1 to local American Cancer
Society breast cancer programs. Contribution coupons can also be printed
from the American Cancer Society's website: www.cancer.org/ca.

Local American Cancer Society breast cancer programs will also receive $2
for every Harvest Festival t-shirt sold. The poster is a colorful limited
edition print illustrated by nationally acclaimed artist Dennis Ziemienski.
It captures the magic of Harvest Festival and promises to become a
collectible poster like much of the artist's previous work.

Reach to Recovery, a program matching breast cancer survivors with newly
diagnosed women, and Tell-A-Friend, which recruits women in
medically-underserved communities to encourage other women to get life
saving mammograms, are two of the locally funded American Cancer Society
programs to directly benefit. "Harvest Festival is very pleased to be
assisting the American Cancer Society with breast cancer programs, and very
excited that we can make a profound impact on a local level," said Wanda
McAleese, Harvest Festival Senior Group Manager.

Dates for the popular Fresno Harvest Festival are Friday, December 8, 11
a.m. to 7 p.m.; , December 9, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, December 10,
10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Fresno Convention Center, 700 M Street. General
admission is $6.00. For more information call Harvest Festival at
800-321-1213 or visit their website at www.harvestfestival.com.

ORIGINAL ZIEMIENSKI HARVEST FESTIVAL POSTER BENEFITS AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY

Fresno, CA ~ Nationally acclaimed, award-winning artist and illustrator
Dennis Ziemienski has designed an exciting new 2000 Harvest Festival image
for posters and t-shirts to raise funding for local American Cancer Society
breast cancer programs.

Ziemienski, who resides in the Sonoma Valley community of Glen Ellen with
his wife Anne and their daughter Sofia, is the recipient of numerous awards
from such prestigious organizations as the New York Society of
Illustrators. A number of his works including his illustration for the
1995 Sonoma Salute to the Arts poster are now collector's items.

"We are very excited about our new partnership with the American Cancer
Society," said Wanda McAleese, Senior Group Leader of Harvest Festival.
"A large percentage of our customers are women - and there is not a woman I
know who hasn't been touched by this disease."

"The American Cancer Society welcomes the Harvest Festival's support in the
fight against breast cancer. Along with sending a powerful message about
the importance of early detection to tens of thousands of festival
attendees, the dollars raised will help provide much needed patient
services in local communities and ground breaking cancer research," said
Patricia M. Felt, CEO, American Cancer Society, California Division, Inc.
The Ziemienski posters and t-shirts state visually what the Harvest
Festival is all about, according to McAleese: A magical shopping
experience which brings artisans and craftspeople together with their
customers in a fun and festive setting. In addition to the Harvest
Festival poster and t-shirts, holiday shoppers will be able to purchase
everything from exquisite hand-crafted pens, potpourri, soaps and lotions,
Christmas ornaments, furnishings and clothing, to organic foods and
homemade fudge.

"I look forward to working with Harvest Festival this fall, and hope my
contribution to the shows will help to make them more successful than
ever," said Ziemienski, whose ever-expanding international client list has
included such corporations as Time-Life, Levi Strauss, and the New York
Times. He has enjoyed a prolific career since graduating from Oakland's
California College of Arts and Crafts in 1972. When a successful stint in
New York City during the 1980's opened the door to a world of choices, he
opted to relocate and establish his home in Northern California's Sonoma
Valley, a place he'd often visited as a teenager with his family.

"With the three F's - Fone, Fax, and Federal Express, I could choose to
live almost anywhere," he smiles. "And now we have e-mail!" Dennis
adopted Sonoma Valley, which is near Harvest Festival's Petaluma
headquarters, as his own, and has given his work generously to numerous
local charities and events. The original painting for the Harvest
Festival poster was auctioned at an American Cancer Society benefit, with
all proceeds going to breast cancer programs.

Local American Cancer Society breast cancer programs will receive $2 from
each t-shirt sold at the Fresno Harvest Festival: Friday, December 8, 11
a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 9, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday,
December 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Fresno Convention Center, 700 M Street.
General admission is $6.00. Pick up coupons at Long's Drugs to direct $1
of full price paid adult admission to the American Cancer Society. Patrons
may also print a contribution coupon from the American Cancer Society
website: ww.cancer.org/ca. Call 800-321-1213 for further information.

FRESNO HARVEST FESTIVAL DEMONSTRATION ARTISTS

December 8, 9, & 10
Mary Beraud ~ From M.E. to You
Carvings; sugar pine, driftwood, painted objects, sleds, skates, milk cans,
gourds, signs, Santas, candle stick holders

Susie & Fred Heminger ~ Mr. Fudge
Old fashioned fudge by the slice in many flavors, Divinity, caramel apples

Wendy & Dennis Hodnet ~ Wendy's Studio
Pillow cases, tooth fairy pillows, travel pillows, book bags, aprons, tote bags

Tim Kretzman ~ Joyfull Strings
Hammer dulcimers, autoharps, harps, and banjos
Recorded acoustic music in old world Gaelic style

FRESNO
SHOW MC's: Alan & Sean

FRIDAY
10:30am Chainsaw Juggler Mad Chad Taylor
11:15am The Sundogs
12:00pm The Scott Land Marionettes
12:45pm Washboard Willy
1:30pm Chainsaw Juggler Mad Chad Taylor
2:15pm The Sundogs
3:00pm The Scott Land Marionettes
3:45pm Chainsaw Juggler Mad Chad Taylor
4:30pm The Sundogs
6:00pm The Scott Land Marionettes

SATURDAY
10:30am The Scott Land Marionettes
11:15am The Barbary Coast Cloggers
12:00pm The Sundogs
12:45pm Chainsaw Juggler Mad Chad Taylor
1:30pm The Scott Land Marionettes
2:15pm The Barbary Coast Cloggers
3:00pm The Sundogs
3:45pm Chainsaw Juggler Mad Chad Taylor
4:30pm The Scott Land Marionettes
5:15pm The Barbary Coast Cloggers
6:00pm The Sundogs
6:45pm Chainsaw Juggler Mad Chad Taylor

SUNDAY
10:30am The Barbary Coast Cloggers
11:15am Chainsaw Juggler Mad Chad Taylor
12:00pm The Sundogs
12:45pm The Scott Land Marionettes
1:30pm The Barbary Coast Cloggers
2:15pm Chainsaw Juggler Mad Chad Taylor
3:00pm The Sundogs
3:45pm The Scott Land Marionettes

- FACT SHEET -
2000 FRESNO HARVEST FESTIVAL

DATES
Friday, Saturday, Sunday
December 8, 9, & 10

HOURS
Friday 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Saturday 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Sunday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

LOCATION
Fresno Convention Center
700 M Street
Fresno

ADMISSION
$6 General Admission
Bring in coupon, available at Long's Drugs, or at www.cancer.org/ca, and
Harvest Festival will contribute $1 of full price adult admission to local
American Cancer Society Breast Cancer programs per paid general admission
OR- use coupon to receive $1 off full price adult admission
$5 Senior Admission
$4 Child Admission (6 to 12 years old)

ONE TICKET IS GOOD FOR ALL THREE DAYS!!!!

ATTENDANCE
13,500

EXHIBITORS
More than 200

HIGHLIGHTS
The award winning Harvest Festival showcases high quality handmade American
arts and crafts in an early 18th century atmosphere. Colorfully costumed
exhibitors offer traditional and contemporary items for sale, including
woodcarvings, jewelry, ceramics, pottery, handpainted clothing, leather
wear, textiles, blown glass, wooden toys, original oil and watercolor
paintings, metal, stone, and wood sculpture; lithographs, seasonal wreaths,
hand-turned furniture, candles, functional and whimsical housewares, and
luxurious personal care items.

DEMONSTRATIONS BY ARTISTS AND CRAFTSPEOPLE WILL BE ONGOING THROUGHOUT
HARVEST FESTIVAL.

EDIBLE ARTS
Culinary artists package fudge, herbs, spices, soup mixes, sauces,
salsas, relishes, shortbread, pastas, breads, jams and jellies, honey,
garlic creations, candies, and much more for delicious snacks and
thoughtful gift-giving.

ENTERTAINMENT
Ongoing entertainment on the vaudeville stage, plus strolling entertainers
offering a plethora of talent ~ juggling, mimes, puppet shows, jazz, and
much more.

INFORMATION
Summers-McCann, Inc. Public Relations 707-938-1133
Harvest Festival 800-321-1213

GUS THE GOOD LUCK GOBBLER READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Fresno, CA ~ Chocolate and tomatoes? "They don't go very well together, do
they?" laughs Alene De Brito of the De Brito Chocolate Factory. But
though they may be opposites in the world of food, there is a definite
connection between chocolate and tomatoes in the world of business for the
De Brito family. Based in the farming center of Hollister, CA, the De
Britos first made their living from tractors, a business from which grew
their chocolate factory.

"I made chocolate for my husband's clients as corporate Christmas gifts,"
recalls De Brito. "When we sold 75% of the business, it gave me time to
develop the chocolate factory. My husband, Arnold, kept only the tomato
harvesting equipment portion of his business. He also owns a Harvester - a
big yellow high-tech piece of equipment. Hence the tomato-chocolate
connection."

Apricots, as well as tomatoes, are a Hollister product, and have become a
De Brito specialty - covered with chocolate, of course. There is more to
making chocolate than meets the eye, according to De Brito, who took
numerous courses from Richardson Researcher in Hayward
before launching into commercial production seven years ago. "Chocolate
has a very definite personality," she explains. "Real chocolate has to be
put through a tempering process in order to get the sugar crystals in the
right formation. If done well you'll wind up with rich, shiny chocolate.
If not, it will turn white and crusty."

In addition to chocolate covered fruits, De Brito Chocolate Factory makes
everything from truffles and handmade European style chocolates to
award-winning chocolate covered toffee. They also contract for custom work
such as a recent replica of an electric commute car called 'the Sparrow.'

Gus the Good Luck Gobbler is their newest product, a beautifully gift
boxed, giant mint chocolate turkey complete with accessories for sharing
with friends and family around the holiday table. "Life was good for Gus
until he found out what happens to the biggest, most beautiful turkey,"
explains De Brito. "Saved by a vat of chocolate, he is destined to become
his own holiday tradition."

De Brito Chocolate Factory shows exclusively with Harvest Festival. Their
products are available by mail order and retail in selected locations.
"Harvest Festival is run by extremely nice and very well-organized people.
We look forward to meeting many new customers at the Fresno event in
December. And we'll be sure to have plenty of Gus the Good Luck Gobbler
gift boxes on hand so people can take home a perfectly suited treat for the
holidays!"

Meet Alene and Arnold De Brito of De Brito Chocolate Factory at the Fresno
Harvest Festival on Friday, December 8, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday,
December 9, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, December 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.,
at the Fresno Convention Center, 700 M Street. General admission is $6.

This year the Harvest Festival joins the American Cancer Society in the
fight against breast cancer. Patrons can pick up coupons at Long's Drugs
the week of the event worth either a $1 donation per full price paid adult
admission to local American Cancer Society breast cancer programs or a $1
discount on full price paid adult admission. Contribution coupons can also
be printed from American Cancer Society's website: www.cancer.org/ca.
Harvest Festival will contribute $1 to local American Cancer Society breast
cancer programs for every coupon brought to the Harvest Festival box office
at the time of admission, and will donate a portion of proceeds from the
sale of t-shirts illustrated by nationally acclaimed artist Dennis
Ziemienski. For more information, call Harvest Festival at 800-321-1213 or
visit their website at www.harvestfestival.com.

SWEET SUCCESS FOR FOG MOUNTAIN CANDY COMPANY

Fresno, CA ~ Friends for more than 30 years, Jim Harnish, a former City
Planner and Attorney, and Tom Wold, a medical doctor specializing in
obstetrics/gynecology, love to make candy.

For years they both made candy in their respective kitchens to give as
holiday gifts. When Jim married Judy, a clothing designer, she encouraged
his hobby and began to build elaborate candy gift baskets. When Jim helped
Judy with her Harvest Festival booth, a light bulb went on: "You could do
this with your candy, Jim," she suggested.

Two years ago Jim, Tom, and Judy formed Fog Mountain Candy. They rented a
commercial kitchen and Jim and Judy purchased an RV to travel from show to
show promoting Fog Mountain. "Luckily we've become better travelers," says
Judy. "Our first trip out we broke our antenna in a tree, drove 200 miles
with the step out, and drove away while connected to the electrical outlet."

"Living in the RV for 15 months enabled us to prepare financially for the
move - as well as the great success we've experienced with Fog Mountain,"
says Judy, who gave up her own business to be a full time partner.

Fog Mountain now ships candy all over the world, primarily through contacts
made at Harvest Festival. The company's biggest seller is White Chocolate
Toffee, and number two is White
Chocolate Peanut Butter Squares. "One of the most rewarding aspects of the
show is having the opportunity to meet customers face to face. We get a
kick out of our customers, and have a lot of fun sharing stories with
fellow vendors," laughs Judy. "At the Del Mar Harvest Festival in
September two lovely, very proper English ladies were tasting at our booth.
One lady said to the other, "This is better than sex." The other replied,
"I wouldn't know, I haven't had any in so long!"

Don't miss Fog Mountain Candy at the Fresno Harvest Festival on Friday,
December 8, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.; Saturday, December 9, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and
Sunday, December 10, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Fresno Convention Center,
700 M Street. General admission is $6.

GIFTS FROM THE HEAVENS

Fresno, CA ~Typical of the small cottage industries which comprise the
Harvest Festival family, Blue Planet Soap Company is run by four friends
who have been partners in business for more than 20 years. Owners Alex and
Carolyn Harrison run a clean operation with plenty of help from friends
Gail Donelson, Ralph Browning, and part time student Clara Rodriguez.

Gail and Carolyn worked at Ralph and Alex's, a painting contracting
business, for 15 years before an illness prompted Carolyn to find another
line of work. Carolyn's ideas for fresh, natural body care products were
greatly enhanced by Gail's artistic background in faux finishing, as well
as her gift for promotion. Friends and family were wowed by their
concepts, and with a little encouragement Blue Planet Soap Company was
born. The product line is pure, wholesome, and completely hand made. All
products are produced in small quantities for uncompromising quality
control. Blue Planet does not use animal products or condone animal
testing. Blue Planet contributes 10% of all profits of their Pink Bow of
Life soap to breast cancer research.

Blue Planet's specialty is hand made olive oil soap. Basic ingredients are
mixed from scratch in a large kettle, adding herbs, organic pigments and
essential oils at just the right time. This creates an unusually mild and
gentle bar of soap which lasts twice as long as a commercial bar. Lotions
are a creamy treat for the skin. They contain no alcohol or silicones,
only pure almond oil, water and fragrance.

If a massage is in your future, Blue Planet offers a blend for relaxation
and enlightenment, and another for pain relief. For a special treat, light
one of Blue Planet's hand made highly scented votive candles before you
slip into the tub filled with sea salt and milk baths.

This year Blue Planet has expanded their line to include products for
babies. Soaps and lotions contain shea butter for gentle cleansing and
moisturizing. Olive and almond oils are infused with chamomile and
calendula herbs. Pat babies bottom dry with talc-free powder containing
chamomile and lavender essential oils.

The year 2000 marks Blue Planet's fourth year with Harvest Festival's Fall
Tour. Free samples of Olive Oil Soap will be available at their booth at
the Fresno Harvest Festival on Friday, December 8, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.;
Saturday, December 9, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.; and Sunday, December 10, 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m., at the Fresno Convention Center, 700 M Street. General
admission is $6.

http://www.harvestfestival.com

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Best Regards,

The Staff @ Summers-McCann

Summers-McCann, Inc. Public Relations
voice 707.938.1133 X107 fax 707.938.0123
http://summers-mccann.com
mailto:in...@summers-mccann.com in...@summers-mccann.com
433 First Street West
P.O. Box 1385 Sonoma, CA 95476

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