Locals and visitors will discover a host of activities at the second annual Harvest Festival being held at Resort at Squaw Creek October 5th through 14th. New for this year are an arts and crafts faire and a beer garden.

(Olympic Valley, Calif.) – Resort at Squaw Creek™ has announced plans for the second annual Harvest Festival, which takes place October 5 through 14.  Featuring bluegrass music, hayrides, pumpkin painting, pie-eating contests, pumpkin bowling and other games, glow ball golf, autumn-themed spa treatments, local arts and craft fair, a beer garden with live music, and fall-flavored dining specials in Sandy’s Pub and in Six Peaks Grille, the festival offers something for the entire family.  Activity passes for non-hotel guests for hayrides and other Harvest Festival activities on Saturday, October 6 and Saturday October 13 are available for $5 per person.  Passes include access to horse-drawn hayrides, face painting, pie-eating contests, pumpkin painting and more.  Activities for kids begin at 1 p.m., with the hayrides taking place from 3 to 6 p.m.
 
In addition, a fall artisan arts and crafts faire will be offered on Saturday, October 6 from noon to 4 p.m. during the Harvest Festival.  A variety of local vendors will display their arts, crafts and handmade wares.  Admission to the craft faire and beer garden is free.
 
Free music performances include the Slide Mountain Band playing bluegrass tunes on Friday, October 5 and Friday, October 12 from 5-7 p.m. in the resort lobby.  On Saturday, October 6 and 13 on the Sandy’s Pub Deck from noon to – 4 p.m., singer, songwriter J.J. Von Briesen will perform her original material.
 
The glow ball golf tournaments taking place on October 6 and 13 at 6:30 p.m. can be entered for $15 per adult and $10 per child 12 and under.  To reserve a space, call 530.581.6637.  Space is limited.  Please bring your own headlamp.
 
An autumn celebration would not be complete without fall harvest cuisine and beverages taking a central role.  Guests will find a prix fixe menu in Six Peaks Grille for $30, excluding tax and gratuity, that features scallops with pumpkin ravioli and star anise butter, or veal cheek with pumpkin potato rosti, asparagus and cinnamon port.  The meal is completed with pumpkin cheesecake with juniper berry glace and tarragon syrup.   Also, in Six Peaks Grille, a martini trio will be offered for $12, plus tax and gratuity with a choice of any 3 of the following:
 
Pumpkin Pie Martini – Baileys Irish Cream, simple syrup, pumpkin puree, garnish with graham crackers
 
Caramel Apple Martini - Ketel One vodka, apple pucker, caramel schnapps, splash of cranberry juice, garnish with a fresh caramel drizzled apple
 
Spiced Apple Cider Martini - Brewed and then chilled apple cider, vanilla vodka, Pinnacle whip cream vodka, Tuaca, cinnamon and whipped cream as garnish with a cinnamon stick
 
Very Berry Cobbler Martini - Muddled blueberries, blackberries, raspberries, raspberry vodka, blueberry vodka, lemon juice, simple syrup, cinnamon, topped with a streusel sugar rim
 
A harvest-themed dessert trio ($10) of candied apple, chardonnay poached pear, and pumpkin pecan bar will be offered too.  At the resort’s famous Six Peaks Grille deck fire pits on Saturday nights during the festival, pumpkin s’mores ($10) will be offered.
 
In Sweet Potatoes Deli, Harvest Festival specials include: brown sugar and roasted pumpkin bisque; pumpkin ice cream sundaes, and a pumpkin and apple tart.  Throughout the festival, a selection of pumpkin ales will be available.
 
A discounted “Harvest Festival Getaway” lodging rate of $139 per room, per night for a Deluxe Forest View Guestroom is available, subject to availability, from October 5 through 14, 2012.  Taxes and resort fee are additional. All hotel guests receive complimentary access to Harvest Festival events, excluding culinary activities and golf.
 
For lodging reservations, utilize promo code HARVRSC, and call 800.401.9501, or book online at www.visitsquawcreek.com.  See the events calendar for complete Harvest Festival details at www.squawcreek.com.