Celebrate the Harvest at Sonoma County Festival

The Courthouse at Sonoma Plaza
Photo by Cory Maylett

Celebrate the fall harvest at the Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival, on September 24 – 25 in downtown Sonoma. Dating back to 1897, this annual event celebrates the bounty, community and culture of Sonoma Valley.

The festivities kick off Saturday morning in Sonoma Plaza with the Blessing of the Grapes; followed by the famous Grape Stomp competition and the popular Firefighters’ Water Fight. Sunday activities include the Vintage 5K Run-Walk, the Wedding of General Vallejo’s Daughters reenactment, the Vintage Festival Parade and more grape stomping action.

The festival also features two stages of live music on both days. The Main Stage, which is located behind Sonoma City Hall in the middle of the Plaza, has a large grassy area for picnicking and dancing; while a second stage is located in the wine tasting area, so festival-goers can enjoy the music while sampling the local wines.

The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival is a very family oriented activity, with good wheelchair-access to most areas. For more information about the festival, visit www.sonomavinfest.org; and for information about Sonoma County attractions, hotels and restaurant visit www.sonomacounty.com.

Sonoma County also offers a wide range of accessible activities for wheelchair-users and slow walkers. For more information about accessible wine tasting opportunities and lodging options in the Russian River Valley, along with details about the nation’s only wheelchair-accessible free-flight balloon, consult the Fall 2011 issue of Emerging Horizons.