Gourd Art Festival just around the corner

DE LUZ — The 11th Annual International Gourd Art Festival takes place June 23 and 24, at Welburn Gourd Farm in De Luz canyon, just outside of Fallbrook.

The festival has increased the number of vendors offering gourds and supplies, allowed for additional seating in the live demonstration area, and is planning to release a brand new video at the festival entitled “Gourds 101: Everything You Need to Know to Get Started Crafting Gourds.”

The Fallbrook Village Rotary is sponsoring this year’s wine garden, which includes specialized beers from local microbreweries. Proceeds will benefit the Rotary.

Festival attendees will have the opportunity to select from over 50,000 dried gourds (grown organically by Welburn Gourd Farm and offered both washed and unwashed) and decorate a gourd for a donation at the Gourd Crafting Arena.

There is a fee for parking. Children 12 and under are free. Festival tickets can be bought at the gate but coupons for $1 off admission can be obtained from local merchants. For a list of those merchants and more information see http://www.gourdfestival.com or call (760) 728-4588.