Foodie Fun Events
Summer Is In Full Swing! (by Lisa Frank)
Go out and EXPLORE your own backyard w/ these fun & tasty July events in & around Sacramento:
Bonjour Bastille Day. If your vacation is now a “staycation” July is the time to get your French on and storm Midtown! The Sacramento Chapter of the Alliance Francaise will be celebrating Bastille Day, when the peasants stormed the Bastille Prison and started the French Revolution, with their Annual Waiters’ Race & Bastille Day Street Festival. July 13th 12 – 3pm at 18th & L Streets, Sacramento
Don’t lose your head at the 12th Annual “Let Them Eat Cake!” Fundraising Event.
Sample Sacramento’s finest French foods and outstanding local wines and coffees, enjoy live music, and feast your eyes on magnificent and mouth-watering cakes created by talented local bakeries and chefs. There will be a cake raffle and a silent auction as well. July 14th 5:00 pm until 9:00 pm at The Grand Ballroom 1215 J Street $40 in advance; $50 at door
Are the Islands calling? Grab a lei or make a grass skirt and head to the Summer Luau Beer & Wine Tasting at New Glory Brewing. Celebrate summer in Hawaiian style at this fun wine and beer sampling event! The evening will offer tours of the brewery, and playing beer and wine trivia for prizes. Food trucks will be on site selling delicious food. July 13th, 1 pm at New Glory Craft Brewing, 8251 Alpine Ave $20
Feeling more local? GATHER is a unique event that takes place in the Oak Park neighborhood. It is a social experiment based around the idea that a neighborhood that eats together, stays together and strengthens the community.
Outdoor communal tables encourage a sense of community while you enjoy the warm (hot?) summer nights. The event offers a craft beer area, artisanal food vendors, designers, food demos interactive are, live music and a modular kids park. July 10th 5 – 9pm or August 14th 5 – 9pm in Oak Park at Broadway & 3rd Avenue
Something edgier? SactoMoFo’s Food Truck Mania will be at McKinley Park. It’s great music, lots of kid fun, a beer garden, and all your favorite food trucks! July 11th or August 8th from 5 pm - 9 pm at McKinley Park on Alhambra Blvd.
This camp has more than s’mores! Mad Food Science Fun Camp makes food and science in fun and educational. Campers learn nutritional concepts and explore the scientific properties of food through a series of fun hands-on experiments, including magical floating eggs, color changing milk, ice cream making and more. The week of July 21 through July 25 1pm – 4pm at Fairytale Town, 3901 Land Park Drive $130 Click Here For More Events!
Exploring Sacramento Has Never Been Better Than Spring! And once the pollen has died down, there will be no end to the fun just waiting for you! So get out and get going ‘cause spring will be summer in no time at all.
It is the beginning of festival season in the Sacramento Region. Calendars ready? Adventure out to the colorful and educational Pacific Rim Street Fest in Old Sac & Downtown Plaza May 18th from 10am to 5pm - great food, amazing costumes and family-friendly! If you are looking for something fun, energetic and different check out Spanglish Arte’s unique Pinata Festival at Southside Park in Sacramento May 24th from 11am to 6pm. Have you ever been to a pinata-hitting contest? Guaranteed laughs....and of course lots of candy! Ready to get down and dirty? Kick it up a notch with crawfish and blues? Cajun and Blues in Isleton, the grand daddy of jazz festivals will be June 14th and 15th (Father’s Day Weekend).
You are probably asking....but where is the FOOD DRIVEN EVENTS and FESTIVALS? Good point....we got you covered! If you want to spend A Day on The Farm you can visit American River Ranch on May 18th for a day of learning, eating, music and celebrating the local farms bounty.....even cooking classes will be offered. Two great events to consider on Saturday June 7th - Sacramento VegFest - a food event celebrating plant-based foods and products with some world-class speakers. All takes place at the Red Lion Hotel - 11am to 6pm. Wanting more that weekend...head on over to Cesar Chavez Plaza for Sacramento Region’s Premier Wine & Food Festival - Grape Escape. Over 60 of the region’s wineries and 40 local restaurants - you won’t walk away hungry or dehydrated for sure! Advanced ticketing required for this event. If you are looking for a more Intimate Affair with food and smooth tequila then reserve your seats for a Pre-Father’s Day Tequila Pairing 4 Course Dinner at Mayahuel Tequila Museo Friday June 13th at 7pm. You can book your tickets thru Local Roots Food Tours who is sponsoring the event! Buy Tickets Here.
Futbol is here, fellow soccer fans! Say hello to the Sacramento Republic FC. Now that we have a team, let’s join the rest of the world and call it futbol. The Republics are currently tied for third place in the USL Pro standing. A great match up against LA Galaxy II should be your next sporting event in Sacramento - Saturday May 17th at Hughes Stadium. A few pointers: It is a match, not a game. It is a pitch, not a field. There are no time outs.
The boys of summer are back! The Sacramento River Cats are well into the swing of their season. And home games abound. Forget about Fix50, pull into Raley Field and take in American’s pastime on June 13th and 14th when they vs. Iowa. And for the second year, fireworks after every Friday night home game and Saturday game. If it's good food and good beer you are after then you have come to the right place! Sure there are peanuts and cracker jacks, but also An Honest Pie - a food truck featuring sweet and savory pies, as well as an expanded menu from Broderick Roadhouse in the Jack Daniels Solon Club. There are gluten-free and vegetarian dining options. And don’t forget the beer garden. Going to a game has never been this delicious before.
You might not need a pig, but you definitely need to go to a market and ALL of our local Certified Farmer’s Markets are open. Over 11 to choose from in the area!! Find a market near you: CLICK HERE If you are looking to learn about the farm before you pick up your fork you should check out Sierra Foothills Farm & Wine Tour in Placer County on Saturday, May 31st or Friday, June 6th. Meet farmers, vintners and a pig named Gordo! Buy Tickets Here
Local Roots Food Tours will be going strong all summer long offering farm to fork walking food tours! What better time to learn about Sacramento and the hidden neighborhood eateries. They have Sacramento covered: Downtown, Midtown and East Sac all have delicious and interesting tours. Want a day trip? How about the charming town of Murphy’s in the foothills or a farm to fork tour in Placer County? Check out their food tour menu and dates to go: Local Roots Food Tours Click To Continue!
We've been waiting all year for Sacramento's biggest beer event to hit the city! If you are a beer lover or in love with one - take advantage of some excellent beer loving events in and around Sacramento Feb 28th thru March 9th! Great venues, most excellent beer and never-ending fun!
Check out a snapshot of what's ahead for Sacramento Beer Week:
February 27th thru March 9th Must Go Places:
February 27th - Sacramento Brewers Showcase - California Auto Museum 5pm-9pm Sacramento Beer Week kicks off by celebrating local beer with the only beer festival featuring all 27 local breweries. Join your beer loving friends to get your first taste of two dozen beers made exclusively for Sacramento Beer Week and vote for the People’s Choice Award for a special competition pale ale brewed for this event. Guests receive unlimited tasting with admission, a free tasting glass souvenir, swinging music from The Bathtub Gins and delicious food both for sampling and for purchase. Gawk all you’d like at the Museum’s 150+ cars on display. http://www.calautomuseum.org/
February 28th -Boneshaker Public House - Rocklin, CA: The Big O Organic! Enjoy their showcase of fresh organic food and 10 amazing organic beers on tap. Expect to see beers from Bison, Uncommon Brewers, Band of Gypsies and Eel River. http://www.boneshakerpub.com
February 28th - Knee Deep Brewing Grand Opening Party! 13395 New Airport Road, Auburn 1pm-9pm Official grand opening party! Their award-winning beer is $4.50 per glass all day long. Tony Furtado will be playing solo from 7 p.m. until 9 p.m. http://kneedeepbrewing.com
February 28th -Bike Dog Brewing Company, 2534 Industrial Boulevard #110, West Sacramento 5pm-9:30pm - Keep The Glass Night - Bike Dog had a special run of 100 glasses made. For $8 you get the Beer Week glass & a pint of beer. http://www.bikedogbrewing.com
March 1st - Capitol Beer & Tap Room, Fair Oaks Blvd, Sacramento - Local Brew Celebration- Come get some local flavor & celebrate their incredible craft beer scene! Sacramento area breweries will include Berryessa, Track 7, Knee Deep, Device, Mraz, Bike Dog, & ‘ol Republic, with several of their brewers attending. http://capitolbeer.com
March 3rd - Samuel Horne Tavern, Folsom, CA - Loomis Basin: Brewery to Farm to Our Table 2:30pm Great local brewers and a whole pig that has been feasting on the spent grains from the brewery. We have designed a menu pairing delicious pork plates, w/ some great Loomis Basin beers. http://samhornes.com
March 4th - The Shack, Sacramento - Mardi Gras at The Shack 5pm - 9pm Laissez les bon temps rouler! Celebrate Fat Tuesday with cajun and creole food, a variety of beer from New Orleans brewery Abita, and live jazz from The Crescent Cats. Costumes are encouraged, so dress for the occasion and get ready for Southern hospitality, Shack style! http://eastsacshack.com Click for More Beer Events!
Get out your aprons, dust off your oven mitts and put away the remote! It’s time to go get your cooking skills… Read More
Winter time can be a time to get out and explore! Bundle up your family and go outdoors this holiday season. Learn… Read More
It's that time of the year where crisp air, the sound of crunching leaves below the feet and awesome food venues will keep you hopping along with your exploring calendars. It's time to bundle up and go enjoy what Northern California is very well known for - beautiful fall foliage, an abundance of fresh fruit and produce at local farms and events that will go down in your photo albums as PRICELESS! Here are a few of our recommendations for some fun and food-filled activities to go, see and do!
Sierra Oro Farm Trail Passport Weekend - October 12th & 13th, Butte County
Perfect for foodies, wine and beer enthusiast and travelers looking for a weekend getaway or a chance to explore off-the-beaten trail....this agri-tourism adventure provides trail goers with the once a year chance to savor the farm-fresh bounty of Butte County all weekend long. To purchase your passport and pick up your trail map visit www.sierraoro.org/passport-weekend
Sactoberfest - Saturday, October 19th
This one day celebration will involve beer, bratwurst, great oompah music and bretzels! Join proud German ancestors in Sacramento and embrace the traditions of Oktoberfest. Participate in traditional German games including keg rolling, stein holding, yodeling, and everyone’s favorite Chicken Dance dance-off. Traditional German dance performances will also take place throughout the day by The Schuhplatter Dancers.
You don’t have to travel to Munich to experience Oktoberfest, it’s right here in your own backyard! Sactoberfest is a 21 and over event. 12pm-10pm - West Sacramento www.sactoberfest.com
California Beer & Wine Festival - Saturday, October 19th
Beer, Wine, Food, Cigars, Live Music and fun Vendors....sounds like a great afternoon!! Advance ticketing $25 per person
Plus Street, Yuba City Town Center (Between Franklin and B Streets) 1:00pm-5:00pm www.californiabeerandwinefestival.com
Pomegranate Festival - Madera, CA - Saturday, November 2nd
A unique and fun festival where the celebration of the Spanish Conquistadores bringing the pomegranate to America by 1772 is done by fun activities, history lessons, recipe contests, amazing food, libations and live music!! You’ve seen the “punkin chunkin’’ contests - well how about witnessing the pomegranate fling contest?
Madera Municipal Airport - 4020 Aviation Drive, Madera, CA 93637 10:00am - 5:00pm Details: www.maderachamber.com
Big Reds Release Party & Redneck BBQ Bash - Saturday, November 2nd
Git yerselves on over to Andis Wines in Amador County for their 2nd Annual Redneck BBQ Bash! New BIG red wine releases. Make sure to wash your hands before dinner because no utensils will be allowed! A memorable evening by all who attend. Advance reservations required by Wed. Oct. 30th. Call 209-245-6177 or visit www.andiswines.com/events Click Here to Continue!
August Food Festivals in Northern California
I don’t know about you, but summer is my favorite time of year for many reasons: warm weather, late nights, cold swimming holes and (the best!) the FOOD! The following are our Top Ten Local Food Festivals and Events happening around Northern California during August we recommend you planning to explore and have fun!
Ribs on the River Event
Saturday, August 3, 2013
11am-8pm
Location: Rio Ramaza Marina, Garden Highway, Sacramento
Pull your cowboy boots up and throw on your 10-gallon hat! It’s time for some good ol’ fashion country music and some delicious RIBS! Help decide who boasts the “best ribs on the river” at this fun, funky event! Event presenters ask you bring a lawn chair and an appetite! Tickets are $10 and worth EVERY PENNY (if you ask me!) Drinks, music and BBQ’ing are the highlights of this awesome event!
Woodland Tomato Festival
Saturday, August 10, 2013
9am-2pm
Location: Heritage Plaza on Main Street, Woodland
The 6th Annual Woodland Tomato Festival is back! Celebrating the Yolo County tomato this fun and free event is open to the public! A salsa competition, tomato tosses, variety tasting and tomato clothing (yes, you read that right!) will be just some of the events at this years festival. What fun! This event is being put on by the Woodland’s Farmers Market and encourages both young and old to participate!
My favorite event is the “Iron Chef -like” competition at this year’s event! Top celebrity judges from all over Sacramento will be sharing their skills and opinions on ways to prepare all things tomato! What fun! For being known as “Sacra-tomato”, this event is the one to be at!
Sacramento Banana Festival
Saturday, August 10, 2013- 10am-7pm
Sunday, August 11, 2013- 10am-5pm
Location: William Land Park, Sacramento
A 5K Walk/Run, Miss Sacramento Banana Queen Beauty Pageant, a Carmen Miranda Hat contest and a banana bake off are just a FEW of the events scheduled for this August’s Banana Festival. Just based solely on the events, this looks like an event I cannot miss! The festival celebrates food, art, culture, music, diversity, health and wellness and going green by educating the public on composting!
Tickets are only $5 and proceeds are going to some wonderful local causes. I cannot think of a better way to enjoy a nice, warm summer weekend!
Hayward Zucchini Festival
Saturday, August 17, 2013- 10am-8pm
Sunday, August 18, 2013- 10am-8pm
Location: Kennedy Park, Hayward
Clear your calendar- it’s time to celebrate the zucchini! Sponsored by the South Hayward Lions Club, this 31st Annual event is ready to rock! Music, dancing, kids activities and a ‘zucchini-growing contest’ are just a few things this festival promises. Did you know the world’s largest zucchini on record was 69.5 inches long and weighed 65 pounds?! Insane!!! And a zucchini has more potassium than a banana! Delicious and healthy! We can’t wait for this festival! Continue for more event listings!
SUMMER BUCKET LIST with SAVINGS! It’s getting hot and the days are long. Your family has made their summer bucket list and… Read More
Summer Foodie Stay-cations!
With the soaring prices of gas, inflation and the housing crunch, many vacationers are holding back their grand vacation plans for the time being. Many would-be holiday makers are simply choosing a "stay-cation" instead. What's a "stay-cation" you ask? Simply put, a "stay-cation" is a vacation that is close to home. Many people are choosing locations that are with an hour or so from their homes, it's close enough to save on gas and just far enough to feel like a getaway. A stay-cation allows a family to save money while spending more quality time together and helping a local economy.
Everyone loves to eat on vacations so why not focus your family stay-cation around food? Here are 10 tips and ideas to get your stay-cation planner filled up and your bellies full!
First off: In order to enjoy your stay-cation we recommend you:
1. Put the World On Hold - Take time out—literally. Eliminating reminders of time helps wipe away the stress of the daily grind. Gather up all the clocks in your house and stash them in a dresser drawer. Throw your watch in next to them. Leave them there for the whole day (or two, or five).
2. Turn off the ringers on your phones and mute the answering machine. Check messages only when you want to, keeping in mind that "not at all" is always an option.
Do an “out of the office” message for your e-mail (even if your office is a corner of the playroom). Say you won't be checking your e-mail till you're back from vacation. Then power down the computer and throw a towel over it.
3. Skip the news—and maybe even stop the mail—for a week. When you banish the source of stress, the stress itself may follow. The earth will continue to turn even if you're not reading all about it every morning at 7:30 sharp, and sadly, the bills will still be there when your vacation is over.
So now let's get to the food portion of your stay-cation, shall we? Here's our top 7 ideas on how to create a foodie stay-cation.
1. Book a week long series of cooking classes in your local area. Sacramento offers several options for classes and cooking camps this summer. Check out these companies and see what might peak your palate: Lulu's Kitchen in Sacramento has a variety of day and evening cooking classes. The Learning Exchange in Sacramento offers food & wine classes. Whole Foods Market and Sacramento Co-op are both offering fun summer cooking demos and classes you surely can fit into your stay-cation. They even have summer kids cooking camps.....just in case you have more space to fill in your calendar.
2. The California State Fair - take a few days with your entire family and do the State Fair Fried Food Challenge - you haven't vacationed until you've experienced the deep fried mac -n -cheese on a stick, deep fried cheese curds and deep fried twinkies at the fair. State Fair Summer 2013 dates: July 12th-28th. Many local businesses offer discount fair tickets - check out Big O Tires - buy one get one free ticket offer before they run out!
3. Grab your bags and baskets and plan a Farmer's Market Week with your family. Lucky for you there is a market within a 20 mile radius of Sacramento each day of the week. Have fun and meet your local farmers and artisans.....there might even be some education involved! Searching for markets in the vicinity? Google: California Grown, Placer Grown, Davis Farmers Market, Ferry Building Market, Oxbow Market in Napa. Go to the market w/ a shopping list for the ingredients you will be needing for your brand new farm to fork recipes. We recommend coming on an empty stomach for the fun food truck vendors and samples you will run into. Try a different ethnic type of food at each market each day...making it an epicurean adventure.
4. Strap on your tennis shoes and sun had and participate in a culinary walking adventure in and around Sacramento. Eat your way thru your own city or explore the town next to you by going on a food or farm tour. These food tours are a half day event and give participants the opportunity to get up close and personal with local chefs, artisans, farmers and passionate mom and pop eatery owners. Kids will think you are the coolest parents when they have the chance for a local chef to sign their dirty napkin....Souvenir award for sure! 5 to 6 food stops along with history, culture and architecture just right out your back door. Check out Local Roots Food & Farm Tours for their different tour menu options and make it a foodie stay-cation must. Click to continue with our tips!
5 Reasons For a Culinary Group Tour
1. Do you have a Family/Class Reunion in the near future?
So, you have your family in town for little Bobby’s graduation and the ceremony lasts 3 hours. And you have 3 more days with your relatives. What are you going to do? You’ve gone bowling, hiking and seen 4 movies. I have a fabulous idea: FOOD TOUR! Walking out in the fresh air, learning about history and (the best of all!) EATING! Nothing brings families closer together than food. Meeting chefs and owners of local restaurants and tasting delicious food is a perfect way to spend the day with the ones your love. Showcasing your hometown (or destination for that matter) is a fabulous way to spark conversation and open up discussions about local food and agriculture. And Uncle Fred can’t complain if you are feeding him right?!
2. It's your turn to plan a Girls Day Out?
I cannot tell you how often I stop and look at my day planner and say to myself, “it’s been too long since I’ve seen my girlfriends.” If you are anything like me- work seems to get in the way of everything! Sit down, email your girls and carve out a day to meet up. The rule is--- no one can cancel. You won’t be sorry you did this. There is nothing better than getting together with the women that know you best and experiencing the behind the scenes of the culinary world. (cocktail tastings also make life fabulous!) Catching up with your friends, tasting amazingly delicious food and walking around beautiful settings--- adds up to being the most perfect of days. Book Club, Bible Study Group, Red Hat Society, Cooking Club, Travel Club.....bring all your girlfriends and let Local Roots take care of the rest! Need More Reasons? Click Here!