April Foodie Events: Sacramento & Beyond!
This could be my favorite time of year. The weather warming up, the trees starting to bloom and best of all… my mouth watering at the new, fresh produce. With that being said, I have compiled a list of some ‘foodie’ events happening in California in April. Get your calendars ready and put a bib on. If you love food, wine and fun- this list of events is for you. Enjoy! (Blogger- Bethany Woy)
Sacramento Turn Verein Bockbier Festival– April 5: 6pm-12am, April 6: 3pm-12am
Tickets: Adult $20, Children under 12 $5
Turn Verein Hall- 3349 J Street, Sacramento
http://stvbockbierfest2013-zvents.eventbrite.com/
A traditional bockbier is a strong dark beer usually brewed around Christmas or the Spring. Well, it’s that time of year ladies and gentlemen! The celebration kicks off the first week in April and will take place at the historic (and beautiful) Turn Verein hall here in Sacramento. The festival will showcase the authentic Bockbier from Germany, traditional German music from local bands and delicious, mouth-watering food. Special performances of traditional German dances will be performed during both days. An amazing, educational and best of all delicious way to spend the weekend!
Festa di Vino– April 6: 6:30pm-10pm
Tickets: Adult $45
Scottish Rite Masonic Center-6151 H Street Sacramento
http://festadivino.com/
Music. Dancing. Live auction. And best of all… FOOD. A lot of food.
This tasty event and will be showcasing over 20 local restaurants and 20 local wineries. Some of our local favorites (Ambrosia Cafe, Blackbird Kitchen & Bar, Firestone Bar- truly the list goes on and on) will be contributing at the event. A true celebration of food and wine. Right up my alley.
Sacramento Beer and Chili Festival – April 6: 1pm-4pm
Tickets: Adult $35 pre-order, $40 day off
Fremont Park- 1515 Q Street, Sacramento
http://sacramentobeerandchilifestival.com/
Sacramento Artists Council in partnership with the Grid Agency and Dad’s Kitchen is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Beer and Chili Festival. I don’t know about you but when I hear chili and beer as a combination my mouth instantly starts to water. The pair just seem to go so well: like peanut butter and jelly. The Festival is a fundraiser for The Sacramento Artists Council and raises money for art programs that help at-risk children, children of homeless families and fund adopt a school art programs for Sacramento schools. Not only will you have your fill of delicious beer and chili, the money for the event goes to an amazing cause. You can feel like you’ve helped the community while gorging yourself! My kind of event! The festival will begin with a chili cook off competition (industry and individual) and unlimited beer tastings provide by local breweries. (Mad River Brewing, Lost Coast and Speakeasy Ales— just to name a few!)
Sierra Foothills Food and Wine Bus Tour– April 14: 10:30am- 2:30pm
Tickets: Adult $69,
Newcastle, California
http://localrootsfoodtours.com/farm-tours/
Wouldn’t you love to take the back roads through the beautiful California olives trees, vineyards and fruit farms? Want to know how vineyards can tell when it’s time to pick their grapes or how to grow the best tomatoes? We are so fortunate to live in the “Farm to Fork Capital of America”. Now is time to jump on board the Local Roots Food Tours Culinary Passport bus and explore the cornucopia of agriculture. Tickets include: transportation in a 14 passenger executive bus, a 4 hour bus ride with stops at independent farms, local vineyards and a local produce market. A trained local guide ready to showcase their knowledge of the area. Hands-on, one on one access, from owners of the farms, orchards and vineyards. A catered 4 COURSE GOURMET LUNCH (what a deal!) and a reusable Local Roots Food Tours shopping bag. Can you say amazing weekend?! Don’t you want to be able to get to know this area of California a little better? This is the way to do it!
Fallbrook Avocado Festival– April 21: 9am-5pm
Tickets: Free
111 Main Street, Vista, California
http://www.fallbrookchamberofcommerce.org/events-v2/avocado-festival.html
Located in San Diego’s North County Inland, Fallbrook is THE place to be if you love avocados. This festival has been in existence since the 1960’s and has created a loyal following. Beer gardens, craft booths, live entertainment and avocado themed…EVERYTHING. And what else? A guacamole contest. Is your mouth watering yet? Mine sure is. (I’m bringing a large bag of tortilla chips for my purse!) My suggestion is to enter the festival hungry and you may want to not wear green because you could get lost!
Asparagus Festival– April 26, 27, 28: 10am-7pm
Tickets: Adult $13,Teens $8, Children under 12 Free
Downtown Stockton, California
www.asparagusfest.com
For the past 27 years, the city of Stockton has hosted the memorable and delicious Asparagus Festival and has donated over $58 million to local charities. Known to be the home of the world famous “Deep Fried Asparagus Eating Championship (last years winner ate over 7 pounds of the green veggie!) and the largest food festival in the Central Valley, guests will experience live music, decorative crafts, cooking demonstrations and plenty of activities for the kids. (in my opinion a fabulous way to get your kids to eat a vegetable) Sample the green stalk in a new and fun way. Think: Asparagus burritos and asparagus margaritas! The perfect way to spend the weekend celebrating a delicious and healthy veggie! Can’t ask for more!
Murphys Food and Wine Walking Tour– April 20: 11:15am- 3pm
Tickets: Adult $65
Murphys Community Park- Murphys, CA
http://localrootsfoodtours.com/our-food-tours/murphys-food-wine-walking-tour/
Well, they’ve done it again! Local Roots Food Tours is proud to present the finest wine and food walking tour in Murphys. (voted one of Sunset Magazine’s Top Ten Coolest Small Towns) This tour takes participants through the Italian brick and stone buildings where talented chefs and vintners produce their gourmet dishes and medal winning vintages.
The 3.5 hour tour includes 9 stops at the best restaurants, shops and tasting rooms in all of Calaveras County. Guests receive one on one time with chefs, owners and winemakers throughout Murphys. I can’t think of a better activity for any foodie! Food, wine and education? It’s a perfect combination.
SactoMoFo 6: Mobile Food Festival- April 27: 11am-4pm
Tickets: free
Parking is $3 or free with a non-perishable food donation for the the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. They will have bins throughout the event for donations.
Sacramento Outdoor Marketplace (under the freeway) 6th & X Street
http://sactomofo.com/
Over 25 vendors parked under the freeway serving some of the most gourmet food you’ve ever had. Yes, I said “parked”. This event is being sponsored by the Sacramento Mobile Food movement. Food trucks are the hottest thing around in the foodie world and I couldn’t be any happier. It’s pretty amazing the quality (and quantity of food) these trucks can produce. Live music, beer garden and even children’s events make this a day you don’t want to miss! (With a truck named Bacon mania- I’m going to tell you: I will be there with bells on!)