Families ride through the pumpkin patch on a decorated wagon during the Live Oak Fall Festival, which continued this year through the efforts of community volunteers. Photo by Chris Pedigo

LIVE OAK, CA (MPG) - A longtime Live Oak tradition continued Saturday, Oct. 24, after community volunteers and local organizations stepped in to organize the annual Fall Festival when the city was unable to host the event.

With just six weeks to prepare, organizers brought together local businesses, volunteers and The Father's House Church to provide a free community celebration featuring food, games, entertainment and family activities.

“The Fall Festival has been a tradition for over 60 years and unfortunately, the city was unable to put on the weekend event,” said Laurie Schuster, who helped organize this year's celebration.

A young festivalgoer poses among pumpkins, hay bales and fall decorations during the Live Oak Fall Festival on Oct. 24. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Schuster said the city needed to prioritize its spending, leaving the future of the festival uncertain. Rather than allow the tradition to end, she and other community members took on the responsibility of organizing the event.

“Basically, we couldn’t allow it to die,” Schuster said.

The Live Oak Lions previously helped organize the festival before the city assumed responsibility for planning the event. This year's celebration took on a different format, with a new location and several changes to the traditional activities.

The annual parade, crowning of Mr. and Ms. Live Oak and car show were absent from this year's festivities. Instead, organizers offered musical performances, dancing, children's activities and a free pumpkin patch.

Families enjoy a tractor-pulled hayride to the pumpkin patch during the Live Oak Fall Festival, where children could select pumpkins at no cost. Photo by Chris Pedigo

The pumpkin patch became one of the festival's main attractions, allowing children to ride a decorated tractor to a nearby field and select a pumpkin at no cost. The pumpkins were provided by Steve Fains and Wallace Farms, and families enjoyed a free hayride back from the field.

Co-organizer Ammanda Mendez said providing affordable activities for families was an important part of the event, particularly for those experiencing financial difficulties.

“These families can’t afford to go to a traditional pumpkin patch and spend tons of money on a pumpkin and family outing,” Mendez said. “Having the free hayride and free pumpkin patch made so many parents and children smile, and not feel excluded in the fun. That’s what it’s all about.”

Other activities included free yard games, bounce houses and entertainment for children. The Live Oak Lions contributed four games to the festival, although members were unable to attend and operate them.

Children play a giant Tetris-style stacking game during the Live Oak Fall Festival on Oct. 24. The community celebration featured free games, hayrides and activities for families. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Local vendors offered food and refreshments, including tacos, kettle corn, pizza, coffee, lemonade and sweet treats. Complimentary water was also available, and tables were provided for visitors to sit and enjoy their meals.

This year's theme, “Our community, stronger together,” reflected the volunteer effort behind the celebration.

“Togetherness is what this community needs so desperately,” Mendez said.

A young girl with tiger face paint smiles while enjoying a hayride during the Live Oak Fall Festival on Oct. 24. Photo by Chris Pedigo

Mendez said the participation of volunteers, businesses and residents demonstrated the community support needed to continue the tradition.

Organizers reported attendance of more than 2,000 people and said the response from residents was positive.

“It was simply amazing,” Mendez said. “We’ve recieved nothing but great feedback from the community.”

A young girl makes her way through the pumpkin patch during the Live Oak Fall Festival, one of several free family activities offered at this year's event. Photo by Chris Pedigo