Imagine spending a day walking across meadows under ancient oaks following your nose to food booths featuring frying apple fritters or slices of 4 inch high apple pie. Picture sitting on rustic benches (hefty planks resting on hay bales) while taking in terrific, acoustic music. Then, conjure up the noise of a turn of the century barnyard - complete with the bray of horses and the clanking of old-time harvesting machines - and you'll get a sense of the many agricultural attractions abounding at this event. Yes sir, Sonoma County's summertime, vintage jewel is the annual Apple Fair at Ragle Ranch Park. Let's explore what's in store for 2011.
Graventstein Apple Fair 2011
2011 marks the 101st Gravenstein Apple Fair staged in our local apple blossom country, Sebastopol, California. The volunteer Apple Core committee says,
"Every August, the Gravenstein Apple Fair, sponsored by Sonoma County Farm Trails, showcases the best in arts, crafts, food, wines and brews, games, entertainment and farm life activities." (via Gravenstein Apple Fair)
There is something wonderfully nostalgic about an event that celebrates our agricultural heritage. Children stand in wonder by the old "hit and miss engines", tractors, and vintage rope making machines. Others marvelover the number of ways to prepare up an apple - dunked in caramel and served on a stick, fried up in a fritter dough, churned into butter, pressed into juice, and more. Many are awe inspired by the majestic horses pulling carts and the gentle farm animals who don't mind eating out of the hands of children all day long!
Children also adore the trackless train, the bird exhibition featuring exotic parrots, arts and crafts booths, the farm animal exhibit, and classic fair activities like the hay maize. Adults enjoy the incredible local food, music, and craft vendors. Take a video tour here with Sonoma Uncorked's videos.
Save the Gravenstein Apple
“Gravenstein apples are an important food crop that helps maintain bio-diversity and the rich cultural traditions of our area,” says Slow Food Russian River in a recent email newsletter. Thanks to the annual Apple Fair, many of us will stop and acknowledge this truth. This is important as our remaining Gravenstein Apple orchards could fade away without careful community intention.
GoLocal Member and photographer Karen Preuss created a Save the Gravenstein Apple Photo Gallery that artfully depicts our local farmers and apples. Come and see the exhibit on display at the Slow Food booth at the Apple Fair and learn more about what you can do to keep the tasty Gravenstein apple growing in our community.
Event Details
2011 Apple Fair Dates:
August 13th (10am-6pm)
August 14th (10am-5pm)
Location:
The Fair is held at Ragle Ranch Park, Sebastopol, CA
Tickets:
Available at the door, no advance ticket sales this year.
- Adults $12
- Seniors $10
- Youth 6-12 $5, and
- kids under 6 FREE.
- Plenty of FREE Parking!
Proceeds from the fair fund the annual Sonoma County Farm Trails Map & Guide and Farm Trails' promotional and educational programs.
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