MARYVILLE, Mo. – Northwest Missouri State University Campus Dining will sponsor its third annual Harvest Festival featuring local farmers and vendors offering goods for sale.

The festival is free of charge and open to the public. Students, families, and community members are invited to attend the event from 2 to 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 24, at the Raymond J. Courter College Park Pavilion.

The festival features booths showcasing Northwest departments and organizations, including the Department of Agricultural Sciences, landscape and sustainability, and the School of Health Science and Wellness.

Additionally, locally made crafts, baked goods and farmers will appear at the festival.

The Harvest Festival was established three years ago with the purpose of educating and creating awareness about the environmental and health benefits of eating locally grown food while supporting local farmers and vendors.

“Northwest is all about sustainability and we’re excited to do this event every year because we think it’s important for everyone to understand the ways we can all be sustainable,” Campus Dining Marketing Coordinator Rachel Sielaff said. “Farmer’s markets are a wonderful way to enjoy goods that are made locally and meet local farmers and artists.”

Other attractions at the Harvest Festival will include a mini petting zoo, face painting, and arts and crafts vendors as well as tours of the Missouri Arboretum and recycling facilities on the Northwest campus.