With spring comes flowers in bloom, birds in flight and festivals of all kinds, practically every weekend.
This weekend looks especially busy, with several longtime favorites scheduled.
You can celebrate Petaluma's agricultural heritage with Butter and Egg Days, or the county's rich seafaring history with the Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival.
And of course, living in Wine County always means plenty of wine tasting events. Two of the best — April in Carneros and Passport to Dry Creek — are both this weekend.
If you're a glutton for fun, it's possible to fit in all four events this weekend, if schedule it right, so here are the details:
Saturday, April 26
Petaluma Butter and Egg Days. Running from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., the 33rd annual community festival features a parade, contests, live music and more.
Quirky and endearing highlights include the cow chip tossing contest at 10 a.m. and the Cutest Li'l Chick Contest for kids at 10:15 a.m.
The parade, which draws thousands every year, starts at noon from Fourth and D Streets and loops through downtown. Free. 762-9348, petalumadowntown.com.
Saturday and Sunday, April 26-27
April in Carneros. Enjoy the beautiful grapevine-covered hills of southern Sonoma County during the annual two-day celebration of the special appellation that bridges Sonoma and Napa counties.
Nearly 20 participating wineries on both sides of the county line will offer food and wine pairings, as well as barrel, reserve, vertical and library wine tastings, plus live entertainment.
The event runs from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. $39-$45. carneroswineries.org.
Bodega Bay Fisherman's Festival. The 41st annual event promises local seafood, tastings of more than 25 Sonoma County wines, boat races, live entertainment, a pet parade and more.
Sunday's boat parade and beloved "Blessing of the Fishing Fleet" ceremony, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., are the highlights of the weekend, honoring a local tradition that dates back half a century.
Hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days. $10-$12; under 12 free. Westside Regional Park, 2400 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay. 875-3866. bbfishfest.org.
Passport to Dry Creek Valley. For the 25th year, more than 50 participating wineries in the Dry Creek Valley offer the best of Sonoma County wine and food, plus live music and vineyard tours at many of the sites.
Runs from 11 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days. $120 for a two-day pass. 433-3031, wdcv.com.
You can reach Staff Writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com. See his ARTS blog at arts.blogs.pressdemocrat.com.
UPDATED: Please read and follow our commenting policy: