Take a Bite out of the Gravenstein Apple Fair
Annual Farm Trails Fundraiser celebrates its 51st year
This August, Sonoma County Farm Trails celebrates the 51st iteration of its flagship event—the Gravenstein Apple Fair. The annual fundraiser draws up to 15,000 attendees for a weekend of music, local food and drink, farm demonstrations, children’s activities, and community spirit around the county’s agricultural experience. Apple enthusiasts will delight in the “Apple Alley,” with over 40 local apple farms and producers offering everything from fresh apples to cider.
The theme of this year’s fair is A Celebration of Transformation, which, according to Farm Trails Executive Director and Fair Producer Carmen Snyder, underscores “the interconnectedness of people, the environment, agriculture, and culture working together to create a healthy and sustainable habitat.”
Highlights this year include a live musical soundtrack provided by Barrio Manouche and King Dream—flamenco gypsy jazz and rock ‘n’ roll, respectively—educational panels, and activities for all ages. On Saturday, a panel titled Protecting Agricultural Diversity, moderated by Clark Wolf, will feature culinary icons like Chez Panisse’s Alice Waters.
Likewise, local luminaries, including Albert Straus, founder and organic dairy pioneer of Straus Family Creamery; Tucker Taylor, the award-winning Master Gardener at Kendall-Jackson Wine Estates & Gardens; and Singing Frogs Farm’s regenerative farming pioneer Elizabeth Kaiser will share their experiences. You’ll also hear from Hector Alvarez, the award-winning beekeeper at Hector’s Honey Farm; Sarah Silva, Green Star Farm, CAFF Climate Farmer of the Year 2023; and Kyle and Katina Connaughton, owner-chef and owner-head farmer at three-Michelin-starred Single Thread Restaurant & Farm.
In 2023, 95% of the event’s waste was diverted from the landfill by Zero Waste stations. At an event of over 14,500 people, only three cubic yards of trash was generated, with the rest being composted and recycled by the Zero Waste team.
Major sponsors this year include Dutton Ranch, Seismic Brewing Co., and Golden State Cider. All proceeds support Sonoma County Farm Trails’ mission to keep “Farms Forever” in the region.
Tickets and information: gravensteinapplefair.com | IG @gravensteinapplefair
The Gravenstein Apple Fair is open August 10 and 11 at Ragle Ranch Regional Park, 500 Ragle Rd, Sebastopol.