History of the Harvest Moon Festival
Delaware Nature Society’s Harvest Moon Festival began in 1976 as the Harvest Moon Craft Festival at Ashland Nature Center. What started as a local gathering celebrating crafts and the changing season grew over five decades into a beloved autumn tradition celebrating regional agriculture, conservation, and community.
Over the years, the festival became known for traditional artisan demonstrations, live farm animals, hayrides, seasonal activities, and opportunities for families and community members to experience the beauty of fall together. The celebration eventually became primarily hosted at Coverdale Farm Preserve, where its connection to farming and the land continued to shape the experience.
Today, Harvest Moon carries on that tradition by bringing people together to celebrate Delaware’s farms, natural landscapes, and the changing seasons. After nearly 50 years, its spirit remains rooted in the same values that inspired the original festival.
2026 Events
Though the Harvest Moon Festival is not ocurring in 2026, DelNature recognizes the history and tradition of the event.
In 2026, DelNature marks the 50th anniversary of the Harvest Moon Festival with a series of four distinct festivities: the Fall Native Plant Sale, A Taste of Coverdale, Autumn at Abbott’s, and Halloween at the Farm. Through these events, the festival’s past and present converge, sustaining its role as a cherished autumn tradition. A Taste of Coverdale is our premier annual fundraising event that serves as a community celebration of the unique places and food of Coverdale Farm Preserve. Funds raised directly support the ongoing stewardship and preservation of Delaware Nature Society’s sites and programs.
