Whiskeytown National Recreation Area in California and the Friends of Whiskeytown invite visitors to join them for the 5th Annual Harvest Festival on September 19 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the park's Tower House Historic District. This fun and family-friendly event will feature apple tasting, an apple-themed bake-off contest, hand-operated apple press demonstration, games and gold panning for all ages, and tours of the historic Camden House and orchards.

Several varieties of apples will be available for tasting, all of which are heirloom cultivars, planted in the mid- and late-19th century by local pioneers. These cultivars were grown organically and possess unique characteristics that are not found in modern apple varieties.

The bake-off will be judged by a panel of park staff and special guests. Prizes will be awarded to those with the best tasting creations. Please include the recipe for your dish, as it will be compiled into a harvest-themed cookbook featuring historic Whiskeytown recipes from the journals of early settlers.

Visitors can park fee-free in the Tower House Historic District parking lots, located approximately 7 ½ miles west of the Whiskeytown visitor center on Highway 299 W, and follow the footpath to the Camden House where the festivities will be held. For more information, please contact Jeffrey Gerbic at (530) 242-3421. For more information about Whiskeytown National Recreation Area, please call or stop by the visitor center, or visit the park website at www.nps.gov/whis

Harvest Festival Schedule (10 a.m. to 3 p.m.)*

10 a.m.-3 p.m. All Day Activities: Apple Tasting: Try several different varieties of heirloom apples from the Camden House Orchards

Children's Apple Games

Apple Poetry

10 a.m. Camden House Tour: Visit the historic Camden House and learn what it was like to grow up in Whiskeytown during the Gold Rush Years

10:30 a.m. Gold Panning: Take up a pan and trowel and search for harvest of gold like the pioneers did along Clear Creek.

11 a.m. Camden House Tour

11 a.m. Orchard Restoration Tour: Take a tour, and learn about the fascinating world of historic fruit tree varieties.

11:30 a.m. Gold Panning

11:30 a.m. Deadline for Bake-Off entries

12:00 p.m. Bake Off Judging

12:30 p.m. Bake- Off Results

1 p.m. Camden House Tour

1 p.m. Orchard Restoration Tour

2 p.m. Gold Panning

2 p.m. Camden House Tour

3 p.m. Festival Ends

*Event Schedule subject to change. For the current schedule check the park website at http://www.nps.gov/whis or refer to the schedule provided at the event.