Food festivals
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!
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!
Wondering where to go to explore Northern California’s excellent food and wine scene? Get out your maps and chart your foodie course.....October is filled with some delicious venues and fun adventures!
It’s a Hoes Down Festival!! Full Belly Farm, Yolo County, CA
October 6 & 7, 2012 MAIN FESTIVAL: Saturday, October 6, 2012 11am - 11 pm Admission Prices: Adults: $20 each when purchased online; $25 when purchased at the gate, Children (2-12): $5 each anytime! Under 2: Free
Saturday Night Camping: $25 per car- no reservations are needed!
No dogs allowed - service animals are welcome!
Sunday Celebration, October 7, 2012
Please note: The main festival day and a majority of the activities occur on Saturday, October 6. Specialized Hands-On Seminars on a variety of subjects. Pre-registration is required. www.hoesdown.org
Sonoma County Harvest Fair
October 5-7, 2012 A celebration of the local harvest featuring three full days of wine tasting with 150+ wineries, wine sales, marketplace, chef demonstrations and workshops, farm and harvest agricultural activities for children and adults, the World Championship Grape Stomp, live music, an art show and sale, crafters pavilion, farm animals to meet, and much more. Make plans to join us and taste the best of Sonoma County! 12-7pm Friday, 10-7pm Sat & Sunday www.harvestfair.org
19th Annual Calaveras Grape Stomp, Murphys, CA
October 6th, 2012 9:30am - 5:00pm Murphys Community Park.
25 pounds of wine grapes freshly picked, a half wine barrel fitted with a spout, a partner and you. More than 100 teams throughout the state and beyond compete each year to vie for the prestigious 1st, 2nd and 3rd place awards. Click to continue!
Summer time is about EXPLORING....getting out and about and attending as many foodie events as possible in Northern California. Want to know where? We have compiled a listing of a few food related events for the month of July. Get our your GPS, your fork, bib and appetite and come along as we journey thru some of Northern California's foodie adventures!
July 14, 2012 - 5th ANNUAL CAPAY TOMATO FESTIVAL - Farm Fresh To You and Capay Organic invite the public to the 5th Annual Capay Tomato, the farm’s festival that celebrates the great taste of organic heirloom and cherry tomatoes. The event will offer activities for all ages, including tomato tastings, farm tours, tractor tram rides, crafts and live music (3 bands) throughout the afternoon and into the evening. Farm fresh tacos and sandwiches, Pop Nation popsicles and local wine and beer will be sold. Attendees are invited to camp overnight in the farm orchards.
Buy tickets online until July 9th. $20 online; $25 at door; kids 12 and under are free. 1-800-796-6009 during business hours.
July 13-15, 2012 - BRENTWOOD CORNFEST! Celebrating our agricultural heritage in a three-day weekend of fun, food and entertainment. Plenty of local grown corn and fun filled corn activities; kid's zone, live music, lots of food with corn of course, local brews and wine. Tickets available: 925-634-3344 ? Brentwood, California
July 14, 2012 - Wine Country Big Q Join us at the second annual Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned competition at Sonoma Academy in Santa Rosa. Some of the best Pit Masters will be here to serve you up a slice. Sample great barbecued meats, world class wines, and award-winning brews while enjoying great country and blues music. ? Santa Rosa, CA
July 19-21, 2012 - California Wine Festival 2012 - The 'Biggest Wine Festival Under the Sun.' Over 200 of California's finest wines from every wine region in the state – showcasing a total of over 350 fine wines. Over 2,500 wine fans will grab their glass and start swirling and sipping, while live music on stage keeps the party going. Santa Barbara, CA
July 20-21, 2012 - Marysville Peach Fest - The 12th Annual Marysville Peach Festival is going to be an exciting event with a wide variety of new and returning craft vendors, food vendors cooking for every taste bud, several delicious choices of peach related foods, and great entertainment for all ages. Details call: (530) 749-3954, Marysville, CA
July 21, 2012 - 11th Annual Taste of the Delta - ?A great foodie event where you can come either by car or boat! Held at the Village West Marina, the event showcases wineries and restaurants in the California Delta region. Guests sample wines and foods, enjoy vendor booths, live music, and silent and live auctions. Stockton, CA 916-777-4041 Click for more event listings!
June 2, 2012 Raley's Grape Escape - Sacramento, California
http://www.raleysgrapeescape.com 4:00pm-7:00pm; rain or shine. More than 200 award-winning California wines come to the cosmopolitan, urban setting of downtown Sacramento. Pair that with some of the region’s best local cuisine and you have an amazing culinary experience. Raley's Grape Escape features wineries from 8 regional counties
June 2, 2012 Davis Beer Fest 2012 - Davis, California
http://www.davisbeerfest.org
Tasting over 100 handcrafted beers from over 40 breweries. Touring the Sudwerk Brewery. Learn the secrets from area brewmasters. Receive a commemorative tasting glass just for attending. Live music. Fantastic Food. Where: Sudwerk Brewery, 2001 Second Street, Davis, Admission: $35 in advance or $40 at the door. All proceeds support the programs of Citizens Who Care.Admission for designated drivers is $10 at the door. This includes food and a non-alcoholic soda. Must be 21 to enter the tasting area. Advanced tickets available - First Northern Bank & Sudwerk Restaurant - at the Citizens Who Care office (530-758-3704)
June 2-3, 2012 Sequoia Foodie Fest - Exeter, California
http://www.sequoiafoodiefest.com/
The Sequoia Foodie Fest promotes the diversity of California's agricultural commodities. Local celebrity chef cooking demonstrations and contests, Iron Chef competitions. Life-sized citrus sculptures, Farmers Market, food samples, live music, kids entertainment. Proceeds benefit the Boys & Girls Club of the Sequoias Click to continue!
It’s local, it’s free and it is going to be FUN! Need we say more?… Read More
Looking for some foodie fun, great venues and community spirit? Mark your calendars for these upcoming events in our… Read More