Fall Food Fests Abound this Weekend

Fall is a time of harvest. Pumpkins, apples, wine, and beer are all in abundance and celebrated with verve, passion, and even education. The lineup of upcoming area festivals is diverse and plentiful and begins with a Tamale Party this Thursday, October 9.

Presented by the Sacramento Natural Food Coop, this hands-on class gives food-lovers the skills and know-how to create these much loved, seasonal staples of Mexican culture.

Tamales are just the tip of a weekend filled with food festivities. The three-day Sactoberfest begins Friday. The traditional Oktoberfest-style outdoor festival takes place in the Bridge District of West Sacramento and is open to all ages with a full carnival, live music, and plenty of German beers and food.

Saturday’s offerings include the Auburn Wine and Food Festival in Old Town Auburn. The 12^th annual event kicks of PlacerGROWN week by featuring tastings from 25 local restaurants and regional wineries.

Also Saturday is the Bountiful Harvest at Old Sugar Mill with music, olive oil samples, pumpkins and produce, and food trucks.

Next weekend brings the Shadow Ranch Vineyard’s Harvest Hoedown, Placerville’s Art and Wine Festival, and the California Beer and Wine Festival in Yuba City.