San Francisco Chronicle - (Sunday)
Local county fairs, festivals plan a summertime return
Summer is here, and along with the lazy, hazy days comes a hopeful new festival season in the Bay Area. Though growing pains are apparent, many popular fairs and music festivals have unveiled plans for upcoming inperson and hybrid offerings. After last year’s cancellation of most events, it seems like the right time to get footloose and fancy free.
Check The Chronicle’s guide to 2021 summer fun around the bay:
Editor’s note: Event details are subject to change due to COVID19 restrictions. Go to datebook.sfchronicle.com or event websites for the latest updates.
Inperson county fairs
Sonoma County Fair: 2021 Summer Fun Fest: While organizers chose to postpone some offerings, such as the competitive home arts contests and exhibition and the large headliner stage performances, they are presenting a live festival event set to include carnival rides, live entertainment, fair food, monster trucks and a rodeo. Schedule and entertainment lineup details will be announced on their website.
Noon10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday and Sunday; Noon11 p.m. FridaySaturday. July 28Aug. 8. $5$25, available online. Sonoma County Event Center and Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. 7075454200. sonomacountyfair.com Amador County Fair: Back in the Saddle Again: With a California history theme, this year’s event is lined up to include carnival rides and midway, a horse show, livestock and home arts exhibitions, wine tasting, a live rodeo, hot rod truck and tractor pull, and more.
9 a.m.midnight July 29 and Aug. 1; 9 a.m.1 a.m. July 3031. $6$12, under 6 free. 18621 Sherwood St., Plymouth. 2092456921. amadorcountyfair.com Humboldt County Fair: County Fair with Western Flair: Centered around a Western theme, organizers plan to host a fully inperson event featuring horse racing, vendors, a carnival and exhibits.
Noon9 p.m. Wednesday-Sunday, Aug. 1822; Tuesday-Sunday Aug. 2429. Humboldt County Fairgrounds, 1250 Fifth St., Ferndale. 7077869511. humboldtcountyfair.org
Alameda County Fair: Though schedule details are yet to be announced, the annual fall fair has plans to be held in person this year. Check the event website for details, schedule updates and vendor applications.
Oct. 2231. Hours and ticket information TBA. Alameda County Fairgrounds, Gates 8 and 12 off of Valley Ave., Pleasanton. 9254267600. alamedacountyfair.com
Other local fairs and festivals
Festival Napa Valley: A variety of chamber and solo music concerts; luncheons with music; an “Arts for All” gala with a performance by Oscarwinning vocalist Jennifer Hudson; an operatic program conducted by Kent Nagano featuring tenor Lucas Meachem; and a kids program with pianist Audrey Vardanega to be presented at venues throughout the Napa Valley.
July 1525. Various ticket options and locations. 7073465052. festivalnapavalley.org
Stern Grove Festival: The free, outdoor series in San Francisco announced a return to live, inperson performances, which kicked off June 20. Capacity for the first few performances was limited to 15%, with hopes of phasing in larger groups later in the season.
2 p.m. Sundays. Through Aug. 29. Stern Grove, 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard, S.F. 4152526252.sterngrove.org Monterey Artichoke Festival: Celebrate all things artichoke at the 61st annual festival featuring a classic car show, chef demonstrations, live entertainment, family friendly performances and
activities, a quilting challenge, vendors and more.
10 a.m.7 p.m. July 24; 10 a.m.5 p.m. July 25. $5$15. Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey. artichokefestival.org
West Edge Opera Festival:
Featuring “Katya Kabanova” by Janacek, “Elizabeth Cree” by Kevin Puts and “Eliogabalo” by Francesco Cavalli, the live operas will be performed in California Shakespeare Theater’s solarpowered outdoor amphitheater.
8 p.m. July 24, 3031 and Aug. 57; 4 p.m. July 25, Aug. 1 and 8. $19$378. Bruns Amphitheater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way, Orinda. 5108411903. westedgeopera.org
Folsom Street Market: This year, a modified edition of the infamous July Folsom Street event is planned for Sept. 26. In its place, celebrate the middle of summer by shopping from some of the festival’s favorite vendors and artists. Visit booths from organizations and clubs, and pick up a free mask from the Sisters of Perpetual Indulgence. Free COVID testing is planned for the event.
11 a.m.6 p.m. July 25. Free admission. Event will take place on Folsom Street between Ninth Street and Juniper; 10th Street between Howard and Sheridan, and on Dore Street at Howard Street, S.F. 4155523247. folsom street.org
Marin Arts & Crafts Artisans and Artists Show: Offering a wide range of fine arts from independent artisans and studio artists, the festival will highlight traditional techniques, sustainable materials and encompass many artisan media including textiles, stained glass, ceramics, metalwork, jewelry, recovered architectural objects, repurposed wood and iron, clothing, photography and paintings.
10 a.m.6 p.m. Aug. 68. Free admission. Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. 8887471123. artsandcraftsshow .com
14th annual Petaluma Music Festival: Get ready to listen in and dance up a storm at this outdoor, live music festival event featuring The Motet, Monophonics, Full Moonalice: THC Revue, New Chamber Brothers, T Sisters, Ron Artis II and the Truth, Lebo, SambaDá, The Commonheart, Mestizo Beat, Sebastian Saint James and the Highway Poets, Stella Heath with Bandjango Collectif, Black Sheep Brass Band, Kendra McKinley, Bronze Medal Hopefuls, Dirty Red Barn and Jinx Jones. Event requires participants and attendees to have been fully vaccinated for COVID19 at least two weeks prior, or submit a negative test result for COVID19 within 72 hours before the festival.
11 a.m. 9:30 p.m. Aug. 7. $55$149, available online. Limited $25 teen tickets available at the gates. Kids under 12 free. SonomaMarin Fairgrounds, 175 Fairgrounds Drive, Petaluma. petalumamusicfestival.org
Gravenstein Apple Fair Benefit Concert: Although the annual multiday festival is on hold until 2022, the organizers plan to host a oneday event at the regular Sebastopol festival location. It will feature live music from SoloRio with Rep. Jared Huffman, local favorites Whiskey Family Band with Alison Harris, and Burnside. Food/beer vendors and Gravenstein apple treats available for purchase.
11 a.m.5 p.m. Aug. 14. $60$75. Ragle Ranch Park, 500 Ragle Road, Sebastopol. 7078378896 gravensteinapplefair.com
Italian Family Festa: The Italian American Heritage Foundation presents its 40th annual event featuring cooking demonstrations, vendors, live music and entertainment, arts and crafts, and Italian cultural activities for all ages.
11 a.m.8 p.m. Aug. 21; 11 a.m.6 p.m. Aug. 22. Free admission. History Park San Jose, 1650 Senter Road, San Jose. 4082937122. italianfamily festasj.org
Golden Gate Jazz Festival: To be held in person, the threenight event is scheduled to include performances by Tony Saunders and the Rainforest Band, Kim Waters, Eric Marienthal, the Count Basie Orchestra, Pete Escovedo, vocalist Regina Belle and others.
5 p.m. for VIP and 6:3010 p.m. Aug. 2728; 4 p.m. for VIP and 5:309 p.m. Aug. 29. $85$135. Presidio Theatre, Presidio, S.F. goldengatejazzfestival.com
22nd Annual How Weird Street Faire: Participants are encouraged to dress in costume for this annual event featuring a “How Weird Marketplace,” electronic music and live performances on multiple stages, an “Art Alley” on Tehama Street, and a “Green Alley” with cannabisrelated exhibits and talks.
Noon8 p.m. Sept 12. $11.11$25. Howard and Second streets, downtown S.F. howweird.org
TreasureFest: Formerly held on Treasure Island, this year’s event will be hosted outdoors in San Rafael. It is expected to include live, local music performances, a picnicking lawn, local food offerings, craft brews, wine and cocktails, photoworthy art installations and artisan vendors.
10 a.m.4 p.m. Sept. 1819. Marin Center, 10 Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael. treasure fest.com
Day to Night Festival: An outdoor event featuring food vendors, art and live DJ sets from Nora en Pure, Fehrplay, EDX, Jacklndn, Cassian, Marsh, Nox Vahn and others.
Noon9 p.m. Sept. 18. $65$100, available online. 21 and older event. The Great Lawn, 699 Avenue of the Palms, Treasure Island, S.F. daytonight festival.com
Outlaw Music Festival: A touring festival featuring performances by Willie Nelson and Family, Lucinda Williams, the Avett Brothers, Gov’t Mule and Ida Mae has scheduled a date in Mountain View.
4:25 p.m. Oct. 23. $35$1300, available online. Shoreline Amphitheater, 1 Amphitheater Pkwy., Mountain View. black birdpresents.com