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This year’s Noe Valley Harvest Festival almost wasn’t. But neighborhood volunteers have climbed on board to stage the sixth annual event—and it looks like a showstopper.

Mark your calendars for Saturday, Oct. 23, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., when two blocks of 24th Street between Church and Sanchez streets will be closed to traffic and open for fun.

Rick Hildreth, a member of the board of directors of the Noe Valley Farmers’ Market, is working with the Noe Valley Association to organize the festivities.

“I was asked if I would be interested in doing a music-specific event because I book the music at the Farmers’ Market [on Saturdays]. But I discovered we’d have to block off two blocks anyway, so why not do the whole thing?”

Hildreth anticipates the fair will attract dozens of vendors, selling crafts, clothing, and artwork. The horse-drawn hay­ride should be back, as well as the pumpkin patch, face painting, and the kids’ and pets’ costume contests. The event will be free, but there may be a small charge for a few of the kids concessions, such as a bouncy house. “It’s like the Santa Cruz Beach boardwalk. It’s free to come in, but then you pay for the rides.”

The main stage will be amplified, and Hildreth is thrilled with the musical lineup. “So far we have True Margrit as the headliner, and they have not appeared at the Harvest Festival before,” he said. “They’re a local band that tours internationally.”

Neighborhood favorites the She’s entertained the masses at last year’s festival. This year, the budding  rockers have graduated to the main stage. Kif, whom Hildreth describes as a “10-year-old genius who’s been singing since he was 2, playing the guitar since he was 8, and is already writing his own songs,” will also take the stage. Kailua Blue is a quartet that hails from the Haight and Noe Valley, and is known for its sweet sounds on ukuleles. Another act that has been confirmed is Jude, “a stalwart, classic guy with a guitar who plays original songs as well as classic folk and light rock.”

Last year, Hildreth spearheaded the fest’s first-ever Noe Valley Bake-Off, and it will be a go again this year if he can find someone to run it. “It’s really not that complicated,” he said. “It’s mostly checking in [contestants] and making sure the judging remains blind.” Food fans interested in volunteering for the bake-off can email noeharvestfestival@gmail.com.

Volunteers are also needed to set up and staff the overall event. Email Anastasia at info@naturalnannies.com or call 415-846-6775.