Happy Valley Pride: June 10, 2009

Attention all zucchini growers, the Shasta County Citizens for a Healthy Environment (SCCHE) will hold a Zucchini Festival from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 22, at the Anderson River Park.

Come celebrate the wonders of the fabulous zucchini at the down-home, old-time country event. Activities for all ages will be offered.

This will be a time to show off your biggest and best zucchini. Bring them to the festival. Zucchini activities and contests, prizes and ribbons will be awarded for the Biggest Zuke. Other awards will be presented for the Best Designed Zuke Car, the Best Decorated Zuke and a pie-eating contest

The entry fee is $1. There will also be a zucchini bake off, so register to enter your favorite recipe for zucchini cookies, zucchini cakes or zucchini breads. There are a limited number of entries in each category. All entries are $1.

There will be a zuke car race for children with cash and prizes offered to the owner and builder of the fastest non-motorized vehicle that is made from a fresh zucchini. All vehicles will be raced on a sloped track. Entries are limited to the first 60 cars, so register early. The entry fee is just $1.

Free games for all include a series of zuke relay races, a zuke peel off, and a zuke toss.

Those who are mechanically inclined might want to design a Medieval-style catapult - maximum three feet high - capable of launching a zucchini. No metal parts may be used in the contraption's construction. The popular zuke-apult contest will be limited to 45 entries. Again, the fee is $1.

Prizes will be offered for the zucchini that flies the farthest.

Arts and crafts venders are also welcome. Contact zukefest09,scche@yahoo.com or call 365-3585.

So farmers and growers, get busy and get that zucchini growing. Good luck. Sounds like a lot of fun. If you have a lot of zucchini around at that time, you might think about donating some of it to the festival so call them and make the offer.

Talking about donating, if you have excess food growing, I know the Good News Rescue Mission in Redding could use some of your excess produce as could the Anderson-Cottonwood Christian Assistance in Anderson.

When you go to the Shasta District Fair June 17-21, be sure to look for the Happy Valley Farm Trail booth. Once again, the design committee has come up with a great idea.

Well, I've got crates of berries to pick so I'm out of here. My blueberries will be in full swing by the time you read this as the growing season is at the halfway mark and the real work will start soon.

Go out and do a good deed every day. Say a prayer for our nation. Recycle and volunteer. It is good for you and also for your soul.