Harvest celebrations aren’t anything new, and are far more ancient than our own Corn Days. Harvest celebrations are held in most every culture since before the beginning of recorded history, but there are a few things that make a Harvest Home different.
Harvest Home or homecoming was traditionally held on the Saturday or Sunday nearest to the Harvest Moon, the full Moon that occurs closest to the autumn equinox, which this year falls on September 8. It was traditionally held in parts of England, Ireland, Scotland, and northern Europe.
Many celebrations were marked with fun and entertainment to celebrate a bountiful harvest, while others were a solemn, religious occasion. Traditional celebrations often include singing and dancing, decorating with baskets of fruits and vegetables, such as the cornucopia or horn of plenty, as well as religious celebrations. People bring in produce from the garden, which is then shared with the community.
Some of the oldest European customs included celebrating the last sheaf of corn or grain, which represents the spirit of the field. A harvest doll was made from the sheaf and soaked in water which symbolized plenty of rain, and then saved until spring planting. In some societies, the doll was used in a symbolic sacrifice of the grain spirit, as well as rites for expelling the devil.
The Deep Roots’ Harvest Home will celebrate the harvest and provide free burgers, hot dogs and the trimmings, courtesy of Little Giant, the Webb-Hay House, Pam Mitchell-Haywood of Make Healthy Happen and Greenman Design Studio.
We encourage people to bring a covered dish or dessert, but people are invited to come and enjoy the music and food even if they don’t. Those with gardens are encouraged to bring fresh vegetables or dishes made with their homegrown produce. Donations of food and pies are gratefully accepted, but if you want to bring your own food for a picnic, that’s cool too. Too often we only feed each other after funerals, so it would be a great time to enjoy a dinner under happier occasions.
There will be games for the children with cash prizes, including an egg toss and hula hoop. For the adults there will be horseshoes and washers, with bragging rights for the winners.
A full evening of acoustic music, from folk songs to popular tunes will be performed by some of the area’s finest musicians, who are all once again, donating their time and talents.
And why no harvest king or queen? Anyone who saw the Dark Secret of Harvest Home in the seventies, or The Wicker Man were shown modern versions of some of the ancient rites associated with early harvest celebrations. Some of the earlier cultures chose a corn king who would serve as a token figurehead for a year, with every wish granted. At the harvest celebration, the corn queen would often mate with the king, prior to cutting his throat.
Some traditions are best left at rest!
