Mark Oct. 18 on calendar for Kings River Hardwick Calico Art Festival

October 18, 2015 will mark the 41st time that Kings River Hardwick Parent Booster Club will hold its largest school fundraiser, The Calico Art Festival, on the school’s campus located at 10300 Excelsior Avenue in Hanford, CA.  The Parent Booster Club (PBC) is comprised of parents, teachers and administrators at the Kings River Hardwick Elementary School.  Kings River Hardwick Elementary School is a public charter school for K-8 students.

The first involvement of parents at the school began when mothers with students attending the school formed the “Mother’s Club”.   Some years later, mothers and crafters began selling their creations to raise money for the school.  Once other “crafters” within the community heard, they were interested as well.  The fundraiser was referred to as Kings River Hardwick Carnival and it was held one fall evening in the circle driveway at the school.  The first Calico Art Festival was held on a Sunday afternoon in October 1974, in the teacher parking lot just west of the District Office

This year the Festival will focus on family fun with Bingo, carnival games including bounce houses, farmers market, the famous “Sweet Shop”, amazing craft vendors and local store kiosks ranging from beauty products to clothing.  Visit the Car Show, enjoy the delicious BBQ food court and the highly anticipated Silent Auction, whereas one of a kind baskets compiled by teachers, students, parents and the community are offered for auction.  The Calico Art Festival is now an all-day event, starting at 11:00am and ending at 5:00pm, with last call for Silent Auction bids at 4:00pm.  The festival draws crowds from all over the San Joaquin Valley both as vendors and attendees. 

For information on how to be a vendor, please contact 559-584-4475 x175.  For general information about the festival, visit www.krhsd.k12.ca.us and click Parent Booster Club.