Food and Farm Fun

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Experience one of the region’s many food and farm-focused public event. They’re interesting, entertaining for the whole family, and, of course, teeming with yummy things to eat.

Japanese Food and Cultural Bazaar
This major two-day Sacramento community event, established in 1947, attracts more than 40,000 visitors annually. Born as social festival to provide opportunities for Buddhist Church of Sacramento members and the local Sacramento Japanese and Japanese-American community to share food, memories and friendship, the Bazaar has greatly expanded during the past 62 years. It now includes Japanese exhibits and demonstrations such as flower arranging (Ikebana), classical dancing (Odori), tea ceremony, live music and Taiko Drumming—and, yes, lots and lots of traditional Japanese cuisine. Come prepared to sample chicken and beef teriyaki, shrimp tempura, sushi, noodles, and—to cool you down—snow cones.
Aug. 9–10
Cost: Free admission
Where: Buddhist Church of Sacramento. 2401 Riverside Blvd., Sacramento
www.buddhistchurch.com/events/Bazaar.htm

The Solano County Tomato Festival & West Coast Barbecue Championship
Nothing says “summer” quite like sweet, vine-ripened tomatoes and tasty barbecue, and the folks in Fairfield are clever enough to combine the two into a rollicking event celebrating Solano County's agricultural heritage. This colorful two-day event features “Tomato Alley,” where more than 50 varieties of heirloom tomatoes and gourmet tomato products can be sampled and purchased, as well as tomato-eating contests (bring a bib!) and a “best home-grown tomato” contest. There’s a wide array of live performances (including an Elvis impersonator, Hispanic folk dancing and Cajun/Zydeco bands), a farmers market, and—of course—lots of hot, smoky ’cue. If this sounds like fun, you’re not alone—the event attracts over 45,000 attendees each year.
When: Aug. 16–17
Where: Downtown Fairfield
Cost: Free admission
www.fairfielddowntown.com/3events/tomato/tomatofest.html#bbq

Slow Food Yolo presents "The Village Feast”
This unique community-focused event in Davis is the first of its kind in the Sacramento region. Once a year in August, the town, in collaboration with Slow Food Yolo (which sponsors the event), gussies up its pretty Central Park and hosts a spectacular Provençal-inspired dinner around an enormous communal table. The event’s menu showcases Yolo County’s agricultural bounty, and participants bring their own dinner plate, knife, fork, spoon and cloth napkin. The Village Feast is a fundraiser for the Davis Farm to School Connection, and includes a silent auction of regional foods, wine and art.
When: Aug. 23
Event is limited to 300 diners, and it sells out quickly.
Cost: $55 for Slow Food USA members and $70 for non-members.
Tickets are available at the Davis Food Co-op or online at www.slowfoodyolo.com

Greek Festival
If you love roasted lamb and stuffed grape leaves, join the revelers at the 45th annual Greek Festival on Labor Day weekend. Sponsored by the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church of Sacramento, this popular and well-attended event features a dizzying selection of traditional Greek fare and beverages. (Ever tried Ouzo or Metaxa?) Live folk music will be provided by local band Neo Kyma and there also will be singing and dancing performances, cultural displays and a Greek market where attendees can purchase a wide variety of Greek products.
Cost: $5 for adults, $4 for seniors older than 65. Children younger than 12 are admitted free.
The three-day event opens at 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, with free admission until 3 p.m. for that day only.
www.annunciation.ca.goarch.org/festival/index.php

Hoes Down Harvest Festival
This festive two-day event (now in its 21st year) is dedicated to honoring and promoting the knowledge of agricultural arts and sustainable rural living. This is a great opportunity for families to explore rural life on an organic family farm. Kids have their own area with arts and crafts, a huge hay structure to climb and lots of cute animals to pet, and even a storytelling area (fun for mom and dad, too!). Adults will appreciate the many hands-on workshops offered (here’s your chance to learn how to raise sheep and design a sturdy chicken coop), regional educational tours, craft booths, and a friendly little farmers market. All of the proceeds from the festival go to nonprofit organizations that support sustainable agriculture and rural living.
 When: Oct. 4–5
Where: Full Belly Farm, Yolo County and many locations throughout the Capay Valley
Cost: $20
www.hoesdown.org

Annual Placer Farm and Barn Tour
The Placer Farm and Barn Tour celebrates Placer County's agricultural heritage and its vibrant family farms. Its mission is to connect area residents with local farmers and educate the public about local agriculture, and it offers an opportunity for families to visit and experience the farms and ranches that are located throughout Placer County's rural landscape. There’s a variety of activities to enjoy, including horse-drawn wagon rides and farm demonstrations such as fruit tree grafting and pond maintenance—you can even watch mule teams pulling farm equipment! Many farms offer samples of fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables, and Placer County artists will be on hand to showcase—and sell—their drawings, paintings and pottery. One unique (and entertaining) component of the event is the AGROart™ competition, held at the Blue Goose Fruit Shed in Loomis, where artists of all ages create fresh fruit and vegetable sculptures.
When: Oct. 12th
Where: Throughout rural Placer County
Cost: $10
www.placerfarmandbarntour.com