The 35th annual Fisherman's Festival is April 12-13th this year at Westside Park in Bodega Bay.

This popular event is a fundraiser for the community and features:

• Live Music & Entertainment • Wine Tasting
• Seafood, Food Booths & Beverages
• Crafts Fair • Exhibits
• Kite Flying • Raffle Prizes

Special events include:
• Golf Tournament - (707) 875-3538
• Wooden Boat Challenge limited to 20 entries.
• Parade of Pets • Llamas on Parade • Kite Flying
• Boat Parade & Blessing of the Fleet

I will be working at the event for part of the day at the Historical Society Booth....come by and say hi!

The Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival, now in its 12th year, showcases the best of California’s wineries, breweries,
artists, and craftspeople. This event also features regional musicians, a delicious selection of seafood, a kid's funzone, and regional exhibits -- so there's truly something for everyone!

Check out our Activities Calendar for more information on other upcoming events in the area.

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Sebastopol Center for the Arts and Art at the Source are hosting their 12th annual free self-guided open studio tour of western Sonoma County. This is their largest year ever, with 126 participating artists!

The diversity of participating artists includes painters, sculptors, potters, jewelers, glass artists, photographers, and fabric artists; something for everyone to enjoy! The studios are located from the 101 corridor west of Santa Rosa to Bodega Bay, and from Roblar Road to the Russian River. The event is June 3-4 and June 10-11.

I've just finished a new activities page that highlights some favorite things to do and see within an hour's drive of At the Bay's Edge. I've also included a new activities calendar that lists activities going on by date. There's plenty to do and see within the Sonoma County area....or there's plenty of quiet at the house to just sit back, relax, and enjoy the view!

On the evening of the Twelfth Night, or the Day of the Epiphany, the last rite in the Old Christmas celebration took place -- the burning of the Christmas greens. This celebration commenorated the visit of the Magi to adore Jesus. Join in this tradition, when local Christmas trees will be burned in a huge bonfire.

Bodega Harboour Yacht Club is holding it's annual Burning of the Greens on Friday January 6, 2006 at the Bodega Harbour Yacht Club...bagpiper is at 5:30, cocktails and appetizers at 5:30, and the burning ceremony will be held at 6:30 pm. You can call 707-875-3519 to make a reservation, cost is $8.

The lighted boat parade in Petaluma drew a crowd of 2,000 this year, and there are many boats lit up at night in the Spud Point Marina in Bodega Bay as well....the holiday spirit is all around!

Looks like several fun events are planned to celebrate Halloween in Petaluma!

3rd ANNUAL CANINE COSTUME CONTEST - Oct. 29
Featuring fabulous prizes for dogs and their guardians. $5 entry fee per dog. Proceeds benefit the Petaluma Animal Shelter.

HALLOWEEN HOUSE TOUR - Oct. 30
Visit a six vintage homes from 6 to 9 p.m. and hear costumed docents at each location share the real and SURREAL lore surrounding each location.

10th ANNUAL SPOOKTACULAR - Oct. 31
Free Trick-or-Treating in the shopping center.

HISTORIC DOWNTOWN TRICK OR TREAT TRAIL - Oct. 31
Participating Downtown Merchants sponsor a TRICK OR TREAT TRAIL, offering free candy to all children who trick or treat from 3 to 5 p.m. in Happy Halloween Historic Downtown

The Sonoma County ArTrails Open Studios is not to be missed...over 140 artists, working in all different styles, open their studios October 15 - 16th and October 22nd - 23rd.

Some of the styles include painting, pastels, sculpture, mixed media, photography, print making, ceramics, wood working, furniture, jewelry and glass / mosiacs. Truly something for everyone!

The tour covers studios in Sebastopol, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Healdsburg, Windsor, and Petaluma. Here are the maps for this event.

Several food, wine and jazz fests are scheduled during September along the Russian River...only 30 minutes from our house!

Jazz on the River: September 10 - 11th

Russian River Blues Festival : September 18 - 19th

Russian River Food & Winefest : September 25th

I wanted to remind everyone that the 11th Annual Bodega Bay Seafood Art and Wine Festival is coming up on August 27th and 28th. It's been moved this year to the Watts Ranch, which was the setting for the filming of "The Birds".

The festival is always a good time, and features the best local artists, wineries, craftspeople, and of course, every kind of seafood you can imagine. There's also three stages for live music, so there will definitely be something for everyone!

This annual fundraiser will benefit both the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods and the Bodega Volunteer Fire Department.

For more information:
Bodega Bay Seafood, Art, and Wine Festival

The Fisherman’s Festival was a great success this year. It’s an annual fundraiser in April that benefits local non-profits. It's always well attended and great fun....there is a fair, helicopter rides, an art show, and an annual “Blessing of the Fleet” where all the salmon boats parade up and down the Bay and then head out to see for their annual blessing.

Here's one of the funniest boats from the parade .... this picture was taken from the house.