Oh, Gravenstein apple, how do we love thee? Thousands will count the ways Aug. 8-9 at the 53rd annual Gravenstein Apple Fair, when Sebastopol’s beloved sweet-tart mascot gets its moment in the sun — along with the fryer, pie tin and cider press.
Once a cornerstone crop in western Sonoma County, the heirloom Gravenstein is now more likely to be found in overgrown orchards and suburban front yards. The annual celebration at Ragle Ranch Regional Park honors the apple’s rich agricultural history — and its burgeoning future as a cider variety — with live music, family-friendly activities and plenty of apple-inspired food and drink. Proceeds benefit Sonoma County Farm Trails.
Apple Alley will be stocked with fresh-picked Gravensteins, towering pies, juice, apple butter, cider vinegar, caramels, apple-infused sauces and other orchard-made treats. Farm Trails volunteers will also fry the fair’s signature apple fritters to order — hot, crisp and worth the inevitable powdered-sugar shirt. Even the lines.
The apple pie baking contest returns Sunday, while caramel apple eating, apple juggling and apple balancing contests will take place throughout the weekend.
Local cider takes center stage in the Craft Cider Tent, with beer and wine also available throughout the festival grounds. Cold-pressed apple juice, lemonade, boba and other nonalcoholic drinks will be offered as well.
For a more leisurely experience, the advance-ticketed Artisan Tasting Grove features bites and sips from more than 30 local producers beneath the redwoods. Chef Bites pair local restaurants with artisan producers, including Handline with Heidrun Meadery, Bayou on the Bay with Hei Ma sauces, Rocker Oysterfeller’s with Liberty Ducks, and Goldfinch with Deer Valley Daughters and Sabi Greens.
Elsewhere on the grounds, vendors including Bayou on the Bay, A&M BBQ, Black Pig Meat Co., Gerard’s Paella, Marini’s Vegan BBQ, Mommy’s Yummys, Squatch’s Ice Cream, Tacos Don Pepe, Valley Ford Cheese & Creamery and Sonoma Family Meal’s Sabor Food Truck will serve heartier fare.
The Gravenstein Apple Fair runs from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 8 and 9 at Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol. Advance admission is $23 for adults and $10 for children ages 6 to 12. Children 5 and younger are admitted free. Ticket prices increase after Aug. 7. Details are available at gravensteinapplefair.com.