Sonoma City Party a tradition for 19 years

Sonoma throws itself a party July 30 with live music and a chance to picnic with neighbors.

The 'City Party' has been a summer tradition in Sonoma for 19 years and is considered a 'thank-you' to the people of Sonoma by the Sonoma Community Center, which puts on the event.

The free celebration begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Sonoma Plaza behind City Hall. Guests should bring a picnic blanket and low-profile folding chairs. Large folding tables, umbrellas, canopy tents and barbecues are prohibited.

Lazy Lester, a member of the Blues Hall of Fame, will headline the Sonoma Blues Review lead by Junior Boogie. Other musicians sharing the stage include Tony Saunders, Austin DeLone, Roy Blumenthal, David Aguilar and Rich Kirch, along with local bands, including Train Wreck Junction, The No Buenos, Wingo Moon and the Whiskey Thieves.

Beer and wine will be available for purchase at the party.

The party is sponsored by Redwood Credit Union with support from the City of Sonoma and The Rotary Club of Sonoma Valley.

People are invited to set up no earlier than 3 p.m. For more information visit sonomacommunitycenter.org or call 938-4626.

You can reach Staff Writer Meg McConahey at meg.mcconahey@pressdemocrat.com or 521-5204.