Livingston festival to celebrate farming, nature stewardship

An annual festival that celebrates the Merced River, farming and more continues with its 11th installment in Livingston this weekend.

The two-day Pick and Gather at Riverdance Farms and Merced River Fair begins Saturday morning and again Sunday. It offers an array of attractions: live music, kayaking, fly fishing, cultural dancing, camping and fruit picking, to name a few.

It’s been known to attract as many as 2,000 visitors to Livingston throughout the weekend.

Riverdance Farms on Livingston Cressey Road in Livingston, but the gate to enter the farm is about a half-mile east of that. It’s marked with several signs.

Farm owner Cindy Lashbrook said this year’s event will include an educational focus on water, including ways to grow healthy plants while using less water. The event is meant to remind people that farming and nature conservation can co-exist, she said.

Keeping with that theme, the fair offers produce and meats from the area. “Almost all the food will be locally sourced and organic,” she said.

She said the offerings are fun and appropriate for all ages and families. Experts on fish, birds and other wildlife will also be on hand.

Visitors can pick organic cherries and blueberries while local bluegrass and folk musicians play. Other plans include: Hay rides, farm and garden activities for kids, food, artwork, three stages with live entertainment, and farm tours. The offerings are spread out across about 30 acres of the farm.

Visitors are invited to camp on the grounds Saturday night. Lashbrook said the Sunday events tend to be “a little quieter.”

The weather this weekend is expected to be warm and sunny, so a large-brimmed hat, sunscreen or other sun protection may be necessary for visitors. The National Weather Service is predicting mostly sunny weather both days, with highs around 90.

Cost for the festival ranges from $2 to $15 depending on age and whether visitors intend to camp Saturday night. There is also a fundraiser dinner along the river that accompanies the festival.

For more information on the festival or the dinner, go to www.riverdancefarms.com, send an email to riverdancefarms@gmail.com or call Lashbrook at (209) 761-0081.

Proceeds from the festival go to Merced River cleanup and educational efforts.

This story was originally published May 27, 2015 at 1:50 PM with the headline "Livingston festival to celebrate farming, nature stewardship."