Four-day fall celebration features gourd art, workshops, demonstrations, vendors, cultural performances and family activities The California Gourd Society (CGS), in partnership with Welburn Gourd Farm, will present the 2026 Southern California Gourd Competition and Raffle during Welburn’s Gourd Art & Harvest Days, September 24–27, 2026. The four-day event will celebrate creativity, community and the harvest season with gourd art classes, artist demonstrations, local vendors, cultural activities, music and family-friendly fun. Visitors can also enjoy U-Pick pumpkins and sunflowers at the farm. The schedule includes: Thursday, September 24: Preregistered art workshops Friday, September 25: Workshops, CGS Gourd Art Competition People’s Choice voting Saturday, September 26, 9 a.m.–5 p.m.: Artist and local-vendor marketplace, gourd art demonstrations, competition voting and awards, cultural workshops and performances, and pumpkin and flower shopping Saturday, 4–6 p.m.: Advance tickets required Sunday, September 27: Half-day art classes Advance registration is required for workshops and certain ticketed activities. The complete schedule, class information and tickets are available at welburngourdfarm.com/pages/2026-gahd. Welburn Gourd Farm is located at 40635 De Luz Road, Fallbrook, California 92028, approximately 25 minutes north of central Fallbrook. Known for its sustainably grown, thick-shelled gourds, the farm carefully harvests and hand-selects gourds for artists, crafters, musicians and decorators. Directions are available at WelburnGourdFarm.com. Founded in 1997, the California Gourd Society brings together artists, farmers, gardeners, educators, crafters and gourd enthusiasts who share an appreciation for hard-shelled gourds. A state chapter of the American Gourd Society, CGS supports education, creativity and charitable activities through 12 regional groups and a monthly online group. The organization has approximately 225 members throughout California. Debra Zimmerman California Gourd Society dzgourd@gmail.com Welburn Gourd Farm on Facebook/ Instagram
