Mouthful: It’s Apple Blossom Festival time

Apple Blossom Time: Despite an early bloom, there are still blossoms on some of Sebastopol’s apple trees for this weekend’s 69th Annual Apple Blossom Parade and Festival.

To attend the parade, which takes place on Saturday, it is smart to get to Sebastopol before streets are closed at about 9 a.m. Some people arrive at dawn to snag their favorite viewing spot along the route, which extends from Analy High School to a block or so past the hospital. The judging stand is adjacent to the downtown parking lot next to HopMonk; it’s a great place to watch as everyone is pulling out all stops to impress the judges.

This year’s theme is “A Magical Time.” The festival, which takes place in Ives Park from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday.

On Saturday, musicians David Luning performs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m. and McKenna Faith from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. On Sunday, KRSH Blues Festival hosts HowellDevine, Lady Bianca and Curtis Delgado.

There is also an art show, activities for kids, plenty of food and drink and more.

Admission is $12 for adults, $8 for students aged 11 to 17 and free for kids 10 and under. Pets, food and alcohol may not be brought in to the festival. For complete details, visit appleblossomfest.com.

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Loving Your Laguna: Next Thursday, April 23, the Laguna de Santa Rosa Foundation (900 Sanford Rd., Santa Rosa) presents an evening with geologist Jane Nielsen, who will explore the geological history of the Laguna itself and Coast California. If you want to understand the ground beneath your feet, this is a perfect opportunity. Dr. Nielson was named the Sonoma County Environmentalist of the Year.

Admission is free and reservations are not necessary.

The event has been made possible, in part, by LandPaths and the Sonoma County Agricultural Preservation and Open Space District.

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Rohnert Park Farmers Market Redux: On Sunday, April 19, a new year-round farmers market opens in Rohnert Park at the same location, 500 City Center Dr., where a Friday night market has taken place for years.

The market is being launched by the Agricultural Community Events Farmers Markets, which operates eight markets in the North Bay, including the Santa Rosa Community Farmers Market at the Veterans Building.

The new market will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The Friday evening market will continue under this new management. It opens on June 5 and wraps up on August 28.

For more information about the markets under this umbrella, visit communityfarmersmarkets.com

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Hoedown! This Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m., Shed hosts a Spring Hoedown, with demonstrations (tortilla making; wool spinning; pot making; grain milling), tastings and, best of all, square dancing. Shake out your frilly petticoats, iron your western shirts and kerchiefs and put on your dancin’ boots. Master caller Steve Minkin will lead the dance, with music by American Nomad.

There will be ciders, cheeses, popcorn and homemade ice cream for tasting, a talk about the Bodega Red potato and more, including baby animals and several surprises

Shed is located at 25 North St., Healdsburg. Admission is free.

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Art of Gastronomy Closing Tea: On Sunday from 2 to 4 p.m., the Healdsburg Center for the Arts (130 Plaza St.) hosts a free afternoon tea. It is the final afternoon of the month-long exhibition “Art of Gastronomy,” a multi-media presentation curated by Cheryl Itamura. If you have not yet seen the exhibition of more than 100 pieces from artists throughout America, do try to stop by. It is an excellent show with many compelling pieces.

For more information, visit healdsburgcenterforthearts.com.

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American Whiskey Tasting: On Friday, April 24, the Sonoma Single Malt Society will host its second tasting of the year, featuring a selection of American whiskeys.

The working list, subject to change, includes Four Roses Yellow Label, Small Batch and Single Barrel; Michter’s US Small Batch Bourbon, Small Batch American Whiskey, Rye and Sour Mash and Corbin Cash Rye.

Bill Hart, a spirits consultant, will be the evening’s special guest.

The tasting takes place at Hyatt Vineyard Creek Hotel (170 Railroad St., Santa Rosa), with check-in at 6:30 p.m. Things get started at 7 p.m.

Cost is $45 for members of the society and $65 for nonmembers. Reservations are essential. Snag yours be emailing info@sonomasinglemalt.com and be sure to including how many seats you want to reserve.

The Sonoma Single Malt Society was founded in 2012 by Michael Traverso and Fred Thumhart.

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Ancora! Next Tuesday, April 21, the Sebastopol-based band formerly known as The Don Giovannis and currently performing as Ancora! will entertain at Lagunitas Brewery (1280 North McDowell, Petaluma) at a benefit for The 2015 Race for Kid Heroes.

The event, which takes place from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., includes dinner by the Pasta King, a silent auction and raffle, fabulous Italian music that will keep you on the dance floor and, of course, great beer.

Tickets are just $15 and are available at raceforkids.nonprofiteasy.net.

For more information, visit ancoracantiamo.com.

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Compost Giveaway: This Sunday, Sonoma Compost continues its spring compost giveaway at the Windsor Certified Farmers Market, located on the east side of the Town Greene from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Just bring a five-gallon bucket or feedbag and the compost is yours. There will also be advisors on hand to answer your composting and mulching questions.

Michele Anna Jordan has written 19 books to date, including the new “More Than Meatballs.” Email Jordan at catsmilk@sonic.net. You’ll find her blog, “Eat This Now,” at pantry.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.