ANTIOCH, Calif. - The East Bay’s longtime Walnut Festival has a new temporary home this year — about 20 miles east of its namesake city.

After nearly five decades at Heather Farm Park in Walnut Creek, the annual celebration kicked off Thursday night at the Contra Costa County Fairgrounds in Antioch. Organizers say the move was necessary because of a major remodel underway at Heather Farm.

"It wasn’t going to be able to accommodate what we need," said Eric Lagomarcino, president of the Walnut Festival Association. "So we had to switch gears and find another venue to be able to keep the festival going."

Despite the change of scenery, the Walnut Festival still features its familiar attractions: carnival rides, four days of live music, local vendors and plenty of food.

Among the offering

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