Weekend Along Our Farm Trails: This weekend, Sonoma County Farm Trails celebrates with a huge array of special events at member farms and businesses, many of which are not regularly open to the public.
You’ll have an opportunity to see bees, chickens, goats, sheep, cows, horses at work, cuddle baby animals, enjoy a hayride, shop at country stores and farm stands, take classes, learn about local wool, enjoy a picnic, eat at a food truck and enjoy live music.
Farmers, vintners and artisan produces will be on hand to chat about their endeavors and there will be lots of tours, tastes and demonstrations.
The event is free, though there may be small charges for certain on-the-farm activities. But you should register your vehicle and the number of people in it at farmtrails.org. Just look for the “RSVP” link on the home page.
Oak Hill Farm in Glen Ellen, Happy Hens Ranch in Petaluma, Burnt House Farms of Sebastopol and Bernier Farms of Healdsburg are among the participants.
For a full list, visit farmtrails.org.
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Tomato Time: As tomato season winds down, there is still a chance to celebrate the love apple.
The 18th Annual Kendall Jackson Tomato Festival takes place this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Kendall-Jackson Wine Estate and Gardens (5007 Fulton Road, Fulton).
As of press time, general admission tickets were still available.
The festival includes an opportunity to taste more than 175 varieties of tomatoes grown on the estate and to sample food and wine pairings by Bay Area restaurants, attend wine and garden seminars and enjoy live music by the Carlos Herrera Band.
There’s also a chef’s competition.
This year’s festival benefits Ceres Community Project in Sebastopol.
For tickets and for more information, visit kj.com.
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Three Days in Sonoma: There is much fun to be had in Sonoma this weekend, which marks the 117th Annual Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival.
The fun kicks off Friday night, with an Opening Night Gala at 6 p.m. and music by Foreverland from 7:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. at the Historic Sonoma Barracks.
Saturday begins with a Blessing of the Grapes at the Mission San Francisco Solano, followed by a firefighter’s water fight at the Barracks.
Live music, a grape stomp, activities for kids unfold all day, culminating in an evening parade at 8 p.m.
Sunday activities begin at 8:30 a.m. with a vintage 12k and 5k run starting in front of the Barracks.
Throughout the day, you can test drive an electric vehicle, listen to live music and stomp more grapes but be sure to save some energy to see our local treasure Charlie Musselwhite on the Main Stage at the Plaza from 2 to 3:30 p.m.
The fete includes wine tasting, food, an art show featuring over 75 local artists, a reenactment of the Bear Flag Revolt and much more.
There are too many prices to list them all here; they range from $20 for a wine tasting ticket for Saturday or Sunday to $199 for a couple’s package to the Friday Night Gala and $199 for a VIP Weekend Festival Pass.
For complete details and to purchase tickets, visit valleyofthemoonvintagefestival.com.
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Time for Turkey Tix: The 4-H Heritage Turkey Auction and Harvest Dinner is coming up on Sunday, October 12, at Shone Farm (7450 Steve Olson Lane, Forestville).
The fete is the culmination of a collaboration between Slow Food Russian River and local 4-H clubs. The program is now in its eighth year.
Things get started at 3 p.m., with a reception feature local artisan cheeses, charcuterie and wine, when you’ll have an opportunity to browse and bid on silent auction items.
Next comes a harvest dinner prepared by young chefs from throughout the Bay Area.
The finale, which is the heart of the event, is an auction of heritage-breed turkeys raised by local 4-H students. The birds will be ready just in time for Thanksgiving.
Cost is $95 for Slow Food members and $120 for nonmembers.
Tickets are available at brownpapertickets.com.
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Harvest Hoedown for Mental Health: On Saturday night, September 27, LifeWorks of Sonoma County hosts its annual hoedown, a benefit for mental health services for children and families throughout Sonoma County.
Things get start at 4:30 p.m. and continue until, so to speak, the cows come home.
Epicurean Escapes will be feeding guests, with an enormous menu.
Highlights include fig and blue cheese bruschetta; fall harvest salad with beets, chevre, persimmons, greens and lemon thyme vinaigrette; grilled Petaluma chicken; slow-smoked brisket; mashed potatoes with roasted garlic and sage and Grandma’s blackberry cobbler with vanilla bean whipped cream.
There will be square dancing with caller Steve Miskin and dancing to Court ‘n Disaster. The fun takes place at Trappe Ranch, 12620 Bodega Highway, Sebastopol.
Tickets are $75 each; to snag yours, call Jill Royce at 568-2300 ext. 108.
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Mark Your Calendars: Next Sunday, October 5, The Jack London Park Sustainability Farm Festival takes place at Jack London State Historic Park (2400 London Ranch Road, Glen Ellen.
The all-day event is free, though there is a $10 per car parking fee.
Highlights include demonstrations, an opportunity to milk goats, a chance to talk with park volunteers and more. Tune in next week for complete details.
Michele Anna Jordan has written 17 books to date, including “Vinaigrettes and Other Dressings.” You’ll find her blog, “Eat This Now,” at pantry.blogs.pressdemocrat.com. Email Jordan at michele@saladdresser.com.
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