The 10th Anniversary of Visit Sacramento’s FREE Farm-to-Fork Festival is right around the corner, capping off what has already been a month full of fun and exciting events like Legends of Wine and the Tower Bridge Dinner. The festival will be held on Capitol Mall on Friday, Sept. 22, and Saturday, Sept. 23, combining fresh food, local beers and wines, cooking demonstrations, interactive exhibits, a concert series, and more. On Friday, the event runs from 4-9 p.m., and on Saturday, it runs longer, from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
The Farm-to-Fork Festival highlights the area’s farmers, ranchers, chefs, and everyone else who makes the capital’s food scene America’s Farm-to-Fork Capital. In addition to the food, live music is a major draw, with headliners Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals and Canons being just two of the host bands that will perform on the main stage throughout the festival.
But first, make sure to get your tickets to the 10th annual Legends of Wine event at the California State Capitol Sept. 7.
More than 30 local wineries and several local restaurants will provide wine and food as Visit Sacramento brings Legends of Wine to the west steps of the Capitol for the last time before the event moves to a new home next year.
The annual event features wines selected by Sacramento wine legends Darrell Corti and David Berkley, and is an evening to remember as the sun sets over Tower Bridge in the distance.
Capping the month of farm-to-fork activities is the Farm-to-Fork Festival, which brings exciting new features to celebrate its 10th anniversary.
Music:
This year’s festival includes a full lineup of live music that keeps the crowds entertained all day long. Canons is headlining the event on Friday night, and Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals will headline Saturday. Other festival performances include sets by Michael Franti & Spearhead, Danielle Ponder, Cautious Clay, Eric Gales, Zia Victoria, and other local bands and DJs. Scroll down for the full performance schedule and visit farmtofork.com to read each artist’s bio.
Demo Stages:
This year’s demo stage presentations include Butchers of America team tryouts, Golden 1 Credit Union’s Healthy Kids Food Challenge, a drag queen chef relay, Sacramento trivia with Local Roots Food Tours, a restaurant relay challenge, various food demos, and more.
Activations & Entertainment:
One of this year’s fun family-friendly activations is the ever-popular silent disco from Danny Wimmer Presents, where you can dance to your heart’s content.
For-Purchase Drinks:
Enjoy wines from Bogle Family Vineyards, Frey Ranch, Willamette Wineworks, Seka Hills, and more as you stroll through the festival as well as an array of beers. Be sure to swing by the Sky River Casino Bar located at the corner of Fourth Street and Capitol Mall for a variety of cocktails. If you need a place to rest as you sip and savor, there will be plenty of seating available around the bars on Fourth and Fifth Streets and Capitol Mall this year thanks to Ikea.
Vendors:
When it comes to the food vendors, the best of the Sacramento region is showcased, and with Visit Sacramento’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion, a series of vendor grants are offered in partnership with Bank of America for first-time vendors who identify as a minority/person of color and/or LGBTQ and demonstrate a financial need.
A list of participating vendors will be announced as the festival gets closer on farmtofork.com.
Visit the event website for up-to-the-minute information on vendors, demonstrations, activities and more.
To celebrate 10 years of Farm to Fork, Visit Sacramento will host two ticketed events during the festival, allowing attendees to enhance their festival experience.
The Grand Tasting: 10 Years of Farm to Fork
On Friday from 6-9 p.m., chefs from 20 participating Sacramento restaurants will cook an epic food experience at The Grand Tasting: 10 Years of Farm to Fork. Entrance includes food and two drink tickets.
Tickets are $125 and are available for purchase at farmtofork.com.
Farm x Fire x Fork with Tyler Florence
On Saturday from 4-7 p.m., the Farm x Fire x Fork with Tyler Florence event will combine music by country artist Lindsey Ell, a beer tasting, BBQ food made by the Food Network’s Tyler Florence, and cocktails for an unforgettable evening.
Tickets are $150 and are available for purchase at farmtofork.com.
Farm-to-Fork Festival Music Stage Schedule:
Friday Night:
4 – 4:30 p.m. – Lady Char
4:30 – 5:30 p.m. – Eric Gales
5:30 – 6 p.m. – Lady Char
6 – 7 p.m. – Danielle Ponder
7 – 7:30 p.m. – Lady Char
7:30 – 9 p.m. – Cannons
Saturday Night:
11:30am – 12pm DJ Chris
12:00pm – 12:45pm Band of Coyotes
12:45pm – 1:15 DJ Chris
1pm – 1:45pm Ryder Thieves
1:45 – 2pm DJ Chris
2pm – 3:00pm – Restaurant Relay Challenge
3:00pm – 3:30pm Zephyr
3:30 – 4:15 p.m. – Zia Victoria
4:15 – 4:45 p.m. – Zephyr
4:45 – 5:30 p.m. – Cautious Clay
5:30 – 6 p.m. – Zephyr
6 – 7 p.m. – Michael Franti & Spearhead
7 – 7:30 p.m. – Zephyr
7:30 – 9 p.m. – Ben Harper & the Innocent Criminals (90min Set)
Farm-to-Fork Festival Event Details:
Location: Capitol Mall, downtown Sacramento
Friday Hours: 4 – 9 p.m.
Saturday hours: 11 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Admission: Free
Beer, wine, cocktails, and bottled water: cashless – bring your credit/debit cards
Entrances: Fourth and N streets, Fifth and L streets, Seventh Street and Capitol Mall
Getting to the festival: SacRT offers free rides to and from the festival with a flier, and free bike valet will be available on Saturday. There is ample parking around the festival, and the SacPark system lets you reserve spots in advance.
What are you waiting for? Come on down to Capitol Mall and celebrate the Sacramento region’s incredible food and agriculture at the 10th anniversary of the Farm-to-Fork Festival.
The Farm-to-Fork Festival remains free thanks to sponsors including Save Mart and Sutter Health.
Information courtesy of Caroline Morales, Visit Sacramento. All images courtesy of: Francisco Chavira. Learn more at www.visitsacramento.com.