The Good Fight Foundation will host a free Harvest Festival on Saturday, Oct. 25, at La Madera Community Garden, inviting residents to enjoy an afternoon of crafts, garden workshops, and cultural celebration.
The family-friendly event runs from noon to 4 p.m. at 3805 La Madera Ave. Pumpkins and craft supplies will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Festival highlights include face painting, pumpkin carving, and hands-on garden demonstrations led by local volunteers and community gardeners.
A fall celebration rooted in tradition
Organizers say the Harvest Festival aims to bring neighbors together in the spirit of both fall and Día de los Muertos. Attendees can purchase flores de cempasúchil, the traditional Mexican marigold, and help build a community altar honoring loved ones.
“It’s about celebrating the season, our heritage, and each other,” said a Good Fight Foundation spokesperson in a statement. “We want families to feel welcome and connected through shared traditions.”
La Madera Community Garden, a one-acre space tucked between homes off Valley Boulevard, has become a gathering place for residents of all ages. Managed by the Los Angeles Community Garden Council, the site features individual plots, a shaded meeting area, and educational programming on sustainable gardening.
The Good Fight Foundation’s local work
The Good Fight Foundation, based in El Monte, was founded to honor the lives of Andrew J. Cuevas and Raymond D. Yniquez, two local men remembered for their commitment to community service. The nonprofit’s mission is to reduce barriers of social inequality through education and neighborhood engagement.
Among its programs are the “Finish the Fight Scholarship,” awarded annually to a graduating Arroyo High School student, and the “Good Fight Garden” initiative, which supports beautification and food-access projects at La Madera Community Garden.
The organization also coordinates regular highway cleanups along local routes in El Monte and South El Monte. Its volunteers have planted trees, removed litter, and helped restore public green spaces throughout the city.
“Every project is meant to strengthen our community,” the spokesperson said. “Whether it’s through education, cleanup efforts, or celebrations like this, we’re honoring our loved ones by continuing their good fight.”
Building connection through community gardens
La Madera Community Garden serves roughly 30 families, many of whom grow fruits, vegetables, and medicinal plants reflective of their cultural backgrounds. Over the past decade, the garden has become an outdoor classroom where residents share growing techniques, recipes, and environmental awareness.
Events such as the Harvest Festival extend that mission by opening the garden to the broader public. Organizers hope families who attend will consider joining or volunteering in future garden activities.
Event details
The Harvest Festival is free and open to all. Parking is available along La Madera Avenue and nearby residential streets. Attendees are encouraged to arrive early to secure pumpkins or supplies and to bring a photo of a loved one for the altar.
For more information about the festival or the Good Fight Foundation’s programs, visit goodfightfoundation.org.
A day to give thanks
As El Monte enters the fall season, the Harvest Festival represents more than a celebration—it’s a reminder of how community collaboration can sustain both land and spirit.
Through partnerships with local gardens and schools, the Good Fight Foundation continues to build opportunities for residents to learn, share, and take pride in their city. Saturday’s event promises to showcase that effort in full bloom.
