Gourd and Craft Festival June 26-28

A tiny scene set inside a gourd nightlight, wine barrel art, jewelry, stained and fused glass, graffiti-style signs, homemade soaps and lotions, craft classes.
All this and more will be up for grabs at the first annual Gourd and Craft Festival, from June 26-28. The festival will be hosted by Myrna and Earl Fincher at their farm, Early Bird’s Place, on Chalk Hill Road.
“It’s going to be a fun time for everybody. It’s family-friendly and there are going to be a lot of things to see. Come play in the sun, out on the farm,and enjoy yourself,” Myrna Fincher said.
Approximately 35-40 vendors will be present at the festival, displaying and selling their homemade wares. The Finchers raise hardshell gourds and their gourd creations will be for sale at the festival.
Earl makes birdhouses out of gourds and Myrna uses them to create nightlights. Myrna crafts all kinds of scenes in her nightlights, including the Nativity, the Flintstones, Disney princesses, farm life and custom designs.
Craft classes such as gourd painting and fused glass will also take place on Saturday. Other gourd artists and the president of the California Gourd Society will be at the festival.
Food through the weekend will consist of nachos, corndogs and other snacks. Octavio and Nancy Diaz, of Agave Mexican Restaurant, will cook lunch on Saturday and Sunday. Breakfast will also be served on Saturday and Sunday.
The Finchers started growing gourds 50 years ago. They have been vendors at the Healdsburg Farmers’ Market for the past 26 years, with last year being their final season.
The couple now focuses more on their gourds and selling their produce to local restaurants. They will have some produce for sale at the festival.
The Gourd and Craft Festival is free to attend and will be held at Early Bird’s Place from Friday to Sunday on June 26, 27 and 28.
Friday hours are from noon to 6 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.  The farm is located at 15310 Chalk Hill Road in Healdsburg.
For more information, visit www.facebook.com/mrsearlybird.