11th Annual Art & Garden Festival

A Perfect Summer Day at the Petaluma Art & Garden Festival!

This free outdoor event offers more than 100 booths featuring everything from unique home and garden specialties, handmade jewelry, and art to a delectable sampling from some of Petaluma’s most popular eateries, wineries and brewers. With live music, fun for the kids and a new chalk art competition festival goers are practically guaranteed a perfect Sonoma County summer day.

“The wonderful atmosphere really celebrates Petaluma’s vibrant… Show more local flavor.” said Marie McCusker, executive director of the Petaluma Downtown Association which produces the festival. “Not only can you stroll among booths of fun and unique crafts but there’s plenty of shaded seating so you can spend the afternoon relaxing with a glass of Sonoma County wine or beer. Crowds also gather at the stage to dance to some of the best music the area has to offer.”

Organizers are very selective about the items accepted into the Art & Garden Festival. Only the best local artists and craftspeople are invited to be vendors.

New this year is the Art & Garden Chalk Art Competition. Presented by The Petaluma Arts Center and The Petaluma Downtown Association, this friendly competition will run from 11a – 4pm and is open to artists of all ages. Winner will be selected by public popular vote and cash prizes will be awarded. Pre-registration is required by 6/22/12. Artists can download the form at www.petalumaartscenter.org or www.petalumadowntown.com.

Musical Showcase

The high caliber of musical acts has become a big draw for the festival. Music lovers come to dance to some of the most renowned Bay Area and local musicians and hang out all afternoon. Head lining the event is The Volker Strifler Band fronted by their leader and band namesake, Volker Strifler. This band moves effortlessly from jazz and roots, to blues/rock with performances highlighted by show stopping guitar, a thundering rhythm section, white hot horns, and funky, soulful keyboards.

The festival also welcomes performances from the hopped-up highly fermented Americana sounds of Smokehouse Gamblers, Beso Negro who bring 21st century drive and passion to Gypsy jazz and opening the day is bluegrass infused folksy blues from Foxes in the Henhouse.

So Many Delicious Choices

Many of Petaluma’s fantastic restaurants participate so festival goers won’t walk away hungry. They’ll have their choice of mouthwatering paella, lip smacking BBQ, zesty tacos, flavorful curry, hearty pizza and much more.

Several local wineries including Fogline Vineyards from the Petaluma Gap, B.R. Cohn and Deerfield Ranch Winery will be pouring their delicious wines. Sonoma Valley Portworks will offer samples of their sumptuous aperitifs. And Lagunitas Brewing, Dempsey’s Brewery and local newcomer Henhouse Brewing will also be on hand offering samples of their tasty brews.

Tasting packages for food/wine/beer sampling are available.

The event takes place Sunday July 8th and runs from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. We love Fido but please leave dogs at home. Details about tasting packages, food vendors and the musical lineup can be found at www.petalumadowntown.com or call (707) 762-9348.

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