Loomis rallies to bring back 36th Eggplant Festival Saturday

Editor: This story has been edited to show Oct. 7. After a brief cancellation last summer, followed by public outcry, locals rallied to bring back the 36th annual Loomis Eggplant Festival this Saturday, Oct. 7, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. downtown. After years of closing off busy Taylor Road downtown, the new festival grounds will be entirely between the main street and train tracks, leaving Taylor open to vehicle traffic. Admission to the festival is free along with free parking nearby. "The Loomis Chamber and the Eggplant Festival Committee are delighted for the new layout and exciting new features," said K.D. Molnar, Loomis Basin Chamber of Commerce Director. The fun starts with the traditional free pancake breakfast from 7-11 a.m. at the South Placer County Firehouse Station 18 at 5840 Horseshoe Bar Road. Previously scheduled for 8 a.m., organizers announced Tuesday the firemen will begin serving at 7 a.m. The party kicks off downtown at 10 a.m. with a kazoo parade at the Loomis Train Depot at Horseshoe Bar and Taylor roads, followed by the formal opening of the festival. Visitors can pick up free kazoos provided by the Chamber at the Little House of Eggplant at the depot entry. Family friendly events include a chalk-drawing contest, an eggplant cooking contest, plus two performance stages with music and community activities. Children will enjoy a fun zone along with 4-H/ FFA "Back to Basics" farm area with live animals. Eggplant peril The Eggplant Festival appeared in peril last June as organizers decided to "pause" the event this year. Officials said the brief interruption came from the Loomis Basin Chamber, with questions about the location and whether the festival warranted the closure of the main Loomis artery, Taylor Road. The Chamber explored options besides closing off Taylor, such as hosting the event in a smaller space elsewhere in town. But some members felt it would not be the same. "The decision was made to take a one-year brief pause to rethink the needs of the Chamber, our business members and the community of Loomis," Molnar said. But once word got around Loomis that the festival was cancelled, many business owners came forward to support the event. The group came back to the table with the Loomis Town Council and Town Manager Wes Heathcock. "We discussed the value of this community event and how we can still pull it off this year. The answer was a resounding, 'Yes let's do this together!' " Molnar said. The alliance decided to simply move the whole fair a half block, between Taylor Road and the railroad tracks. More than 100 booths will be open, officials said. Featured local craft beer includes Loomis' own Loomis Basin Brewery and High Hand Brewery. The Beer Booth will open at 10 a.m., sponsored by craft breweries Loomis Basin, High Hand, Knee Deep, Crooked Lane, Shred and Auburn Alehouse. "Eggplant Festival booths include some of the best food vendors, craftsmen and artists in Placer County, so plan on taking your time to explore," the Town announced Saturday. All entrants in the cooking contest must use eggplant as the main ingredient and submitted with recipes by 10:15 a.m. Saturday. There is no fee to enter for a chance at the $100 first prize, $50 second place or $25 third place. Mary Jane Perkins and culinary experts will judge the contest. On the main stage at Gander's Taphouse parking lot, Dyllan Gage will perform acoustic country music from noon to 2 p.m. Manzanita will then take the stage from 2-4 p.m. to perform bluegrass, country and folk music. Sponsors Loomis Raley's and High Hand Nursery will also distribute free eggplants. Loomis Ace Hardware donated two raffle prizes, a top-of-the-line, $2,000 Traeger grill and a $375 Yeti Tundra 65 ice chest cooler. The $10 raffle tickets are available at all three Loomis Ace locations and the Chamber website, loomischamber.com. The most notable addition this year, in conjunction with Del Oro High School's homecoming, is a drone group photo of all alumni and students at noon. "We are expanding the Black Hole (Del Oro fans spirit section) into downtown by calling all Del Oro Golden Eagles, past, present and future, to join us at the Main Stage," urged Molnar. Free parking is available at the vacant lot across from the Loomis Library on Library Drive and nearby Loomis Grammar School on Taylor Road.