BODEGA, Calif. — Though cancelled in 2020 and 2021 due to the pandemic, the 26th annual Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival WILL happen in 2022!
Held on a rural ranch, a mile inland from the spectacular Sonoma Coast, the Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival is a sophisticated, yet down-home, event unlike any other. It has garnered the reputation of being one of the premier art, wine, microbrew and food festivals in California. The picturesque Watts Ranch, in the village where Alfred Hitchcock once filmed his classic thriller, The Birds, is home to this annual benefit, which attracts thousands of foodies, arts appreciators, wine and beer fans and music lovers, many whoâve been coming since its inception in 1993.
The festival is a food loverâs dream, especially for those who love seafood. From calamari to crab Louie, oysters to ahi, more than thirty seafood dishes will be offered up by a dozen different vendors. Non-fish eaters will have no trouble finding delicious vegetarian options, meat, chicken and sweet treats galore.
The Wine, Microbrewed Beer and Cider Tasting is always a popular part of the event. With 40-plus companies pouring their creations, the tasting tent rocks all weekend long. Offering a mix of known brands, plus many small, up and coming companies, itâs the ideal locale to find your next favorite drink. The cost is $25 for a commemorative glass and 6 tastes. Additional tastes are $3. Wine by the bottle is available for purchase from some of our companies, so you can sample and then take some home with you.
The quality of the art and fine craft is unrivaled in Sonoma County and beyond. This juried show attracts artisans from throughout California and other parts of the country. The festival appeals to a broad range of attendees, providing a mix of higher end fine art and craft along with more moderately priced craft. The festival producers are artists themselves and know the ins and outs of doing shows from both sides, having traveled around the country doing craft fairs for more than 30 years.
Three stages of entertainment give festival-goers a full day of musical and non-musical diversion. Exceptional blues, swing, Latin fusion, folk-rock, comedy, juggling and magic, plus a big dance floor, makes this a festival filled with dancing, laughter and fun.
This is a great family event with jump, slide, rockwall and face painting, and interactive environmental displays from our beneficiary, Stewards of the Coast & Redwoods.
A portion of the event proceeds supports two vital non-profits â Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods, which works in partnership with the California State Parks in the Russian River/Sonoma Coast region, and the Bodega Volunteer Fire Department.
Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, August 27, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Sunday, August 28. Admission is $15 in advance for adults, $20 at gate. Discounts offered for seniors, teens, first responders and military; under 12 are free. Special combo tickets for entry and tasting will be available via our website. Tickets will go on sale in May 2022.
Watts Ranch is located at 16855 Bodega Highway in the village of Bodega. The site is less than 2 hours from San Francisco and many other Bay Area locations, so the festival is an ideal add-on to plans, if visiting northern California at the end of August.
For more information, go to www.bodegaseafoodfestival.com.
–Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival