Morning fog parted as if on cue to kick off the annual Harvest Festival in Piedmont Park on Sunday afternoon. Families turned out in force to usher in the fall season at the popular city event that draws together the city and schools for a day of fun in the park.
This year’s Scarecrow Alley theme was “Under the Sea.” The colorful elementary school class creations were arrayed along the footpath next to the Community Hall and auctioned off to benefit Beach, Havens, and Wildwood Elementary Schools. The adjacent Carnival, also a fundraiser for the schools, featured games like Ring Toss, Alien Invasion, Krazy Kans, and the ever popular (and delicious) Cake Hop.
Scarecrow Alley in Piedmont Park 
A sea creature 
Carnival alley 
Ring Toss 
Snow cones 
Anticipation to see who’s on the winning number in the Cake Hop
Community groups set up tables in the Hall courtyard, with activities for kids and information for residents on a range of local topics. The annual Edibles Contest was set up in the building and judged earlier in the day by local community leaders. (See a list of winners below and HERE.)
Some of the homegrown tomatoes in the Edibles Contest 
“Most Unusual” white eggplants and odd shaped carrots 
A bag of the winning compost entry 
Edibles contest judges, Carolyn George and daughter Alex Slatoff, had a busy day judging food submissions 
Decorated cakes submitted for the edibles contest 
New this year: Apple cider-making 
Sustainability fellows collect data on park usage 
Volunteers with the Oakland Tool Lending Library assist kids with their cork creations
The Festival featured an expanded farmer’s market this year, anchored by longtime participant Village Market and new additions Chestnut Street Granola, Urban Beekeeper Honey, Olive + Grace Stems, and Quirksnflavors.
Tasting local honey 
Floral designer Victoria Manley, of Olive and Grace Stems, makes bouquets at the event
The Jazz Festival, featuring Carlos Caminos, the PHS Jazz Band, the Bob Roden Quintet, and J. Fleser and the Jay Walkers, kept the mood upbeat. A watermelon-eating contest was added to the line-up in recent years. In the Tea House, local artists held court.
Dogs and humans enjoy the PHS Jazz Band 
The watermelon eating contest 
Art show in the Tea House
2025 Harvest Festival Edible Contest Results
Total number of entries: 166
The Edible Contest was organized by the Piedmont Recreation Department with thanks to Edible Contest volunteers Lilla Wells, Alex Slatoff, Carolyn George and Susan Hill.
Pesto
(# of entries: 4)
1. Marinelly Family
2. Marinelly Family
3. Marinelly Family
Salsa/Guacamole/Hot Sauce
(# of entries: 9)
1. Monika, Stan and Nico Riddle
2. Sid Gudal and Holen Brady
3. Jorden Wong
Pickles
(# of entries: 4)
1. Susan Kai
2. Alex Slatoff
3. Greg Slatoff
Pickled Vegetable
(# of entries: 4)
1. Greg Slatoff
2. Marinelly Family
3. Susan Kai
Chutneys
(# of entries: 3)
1. Alex Slatoff
2. Patty Dunlap
3. Susan Hill
Apricot Jam
(# of entries: 6)
1. Susan Kai
2. Paula Cooper Tipton
3. Rob Kobal
Mustard
(# of entries: 4)
1. Alex Slatoff
2. Marinelly Family
3. Marinelly Family
Tapenade
(# of entries: 1)
Alex Slatoff
Preserved Fruit and Vegetable
(# of entries: 5)
1. Marinelly Family
2. Susan Hill
3. Alex Slatoff
Strawberry Jam
1. Poppy Griffith
2. Claire Faughnan
3. Susan Kai
Plum Jam
(# of entries: 1)
Freeman Family
Other Berry Jam
(# of entries: 3)
1. Isla Bogert
2. Rob Kobal
3. Isla Bogert
Specialty Jam
(# of entries: 2)
1. Chris Free
2. Alex Slatoff
Nectarine/Peach Jam
(# of entries: 4)
1. Susan Hill
2. Susan Kai
3. Rob Kobal
Fig Jam
Carolyn George
Sauce
(# of entries: 6)
1. Alex Slatoff
2. Marinelly Family
3. Alex Slatoff
Curds
(# of entries: 3)
1. Alex Chan
2. Carolyn George
3. Crocker Collaborative
Honey
(# of entries: 9)
1. Patty Dunlap
2. Swisher
3. Droga
Biggest Tomato
(# of entries: 5)
1. Alex and Greg Slatoff
2. Ceccarelli Family
3. Susan Hill
Most Unusual Fruit
(# of entries: 6)
1. Rob Kobal
2. Marinelly Family
3. Liz Arney
Most Unusual Vegetable
(# of entries: 3)
1. Stan, Monika and Nico Riddle
2. Sid Gudal and Holen Brady
3. Sid Gudal and Holen Brady
Compost
(# of entries: 3)
1. Rob Kobal
2. Kerr Family
3. Marinelly Family
Vegan Baked Goods
(# of entries: 1)
Sid Gudal and Holen Brady
Granola
(# of entries: 7)
1. Alex Slatoff
2. Rodger Elanbovan
3. Dorinna Mendoza
Fruit/Other Pie
1. Clara Shum
2. Jessica Heywood
3. Stan, Monika and Nico Riddle
Sweet Bread
(# of entries: 9)
1. Marinelly Family
2. Crocker Collaboration
3. Alex Slatoff
Savory Bread
(# of entries: 4)
1. Alex Chan
2. Susan Litsky
3. Kerr Family
Cookies/Cupcakes/Brownies
(# of entries: 4)
1. Joyce Elangovan
2. Crocker Collaborative
3. Ruby Movat
Best Botanical
Kerr Family
Marma Lade
Susan Kai
Dessert Bars
(# of entries: 3)
1. Eleanor Crumb
2. Alex Slatoff
3. Marinelly Family
Cakes
(# of entries: 9)
1. Alex Chan
2. Lauren Huang
3. Marinelly Family
Apple Sauce/Jam
(# of entries: 2)
1. Marinelly Family
2. Alex Slatoff
Mixed Fruit Jam
(# of entries: 5)
1. Susan Hil
2. Rob Kobal
3. Liz Arney
Fruit Butter
(# of entries: 2)
1. Marinelly Family
2. Claire Faughnan
Jellies
(# of entries: 1)
Marinelly Family
Other Fruit Jam
(# of entries: 3)
1. Riederer and Chris Free
2. Carolyn George
3. Crocker Collaborative
Gluten Free
(# of entries: 4)
1. Riddle Family
2. Alex Slatoff
3. Lauren Huang
Alcoholic Beverages
(# of entries: 3)
1. Crocker Collaborative
2. Crocker Collaborative
3. Alex Slatoff
Ornamental
(# of entries: 3)
1. Kerr Family
2. Kerr Family
3. Susan Hill
Root Vegetable 1
Wendi Lekle
Mark Your Own
(# of entries: 3)
1. Marinelly Family
2. Marinelly Family
3. Marinelly Family
Kombucha
(# of entries: 1)
Eva Phalen
Bill Drum Award (highest number of blue ribbons)
Slatoff and George Family
Sponsored by the ACE Garden Center ($75 gift certificate)
Sweepstakes Award (most categories entered)
Marinelly Family
Sponsored by the Piedmont Beautification Foundation ($75 prize)
Blue Ribbon Awards
Sponsored by the Village Market ($5 gift certificate per winner)
Click HERE to view contest winners in a separate PDF.