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Harvest Festival is a hit with kids Mail Tribune / Jim Craven Paige DeBoer, 3, of Ashland munches on a roasted ear of corn at the Talent Harvest Festival on Saturday. The event's parade was reported to be the best ever and the festival had a good turnout. By TONY BOOM TALENT - "I didn't know there was going to be candy," said Samantha Hanrahan, as she enjoyed her first-ever parade during the town's 28th Harvest Festival Saturday a couple days before her fifth birthday. Samantha was one of many children who grabbed the treats thrown from police and emergency service vehicles that predominated in Saturday's parade. Kathryn, Patrick (mom and dad) and Kelly Hanrahan, 4, enjoyed the parade with Samantha. The family moved to Talent from Denver recently when Patrick relocated for a new assignment with Boise Cascade. Music, games and skate park exhibitions followed the parade. Game, craft and food booths filled an entire street. Celebrants could have a portraits taken and placed inside a face cutout on a 5x7-inch print that featured old-time clothing or a "wanted" poster. Groups could occupy up to nine slots in a picture of Talent's original family. The photo booth was organized by the Talent Historical Society, which also had a cake walk, quilt raffle, Chautauqua lecture by Jim Garcia of Lane Community College in Eugene, and a kids' coloring contest. A Talent history contest asked participants to identify events and people shown in photos. Author Thomas Doty signed copies of his book "John Beeson's Ghost" that had been commissioned by the historical society. Just two days off the press, the book looks at Rogue Valley pioneer Beeson, who stood up for the rights of American Indians during the Rogue Indian Wars. "I've written a story that is my own personal exploration into John Beeson," said Doty. "It's a good place to sell," said a woman holding a yard sale at Main and I streets, a corner on the parade route and right across from booths and the Talent Community Center. She would identify herself only as Judy. Hawaiian hula dancers Kaikamahine O'lesu were a new addition to the festival. The three dancers are all former Hawaii residents. They perform ancient and modern hula and Polynesian dances. "We get to perpetuate the culture and share our love of Hawaii," said dancer Lisa Walker. Six vehicles from the Southern Oregon Military Vehicles Collector Club, a restored 1926 Stutz Bobtail Speedster and a float from Talent's Senior Nutrition Services were new parade additions. Hay bales and corn stalks decorated the nutrition services float. "People said it was the best parade ever," said Allison Zigich of the city of Talent, one of the event organizers. Jackson County Fire District 5, which has its largest station in Talent, co-hosted the event. A strong breeze started to blow just as the parade ended. That meant extra vigilance for 54-year Talent resident Ken Walker. He had to stand by his Wind Toys displays to make sure they didn't take off in the gusts. Reach Ashland bureau reporter Tony Boom at 482-4651, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2001 Mail Tribune, Inc.