April is a fantastic time to learn about and celebrate the agricultural heritage of Petaluma. Reflected in the storefronts and architecture of many downtown buildings, much of the character and appeal of the downtown area came from the booming egg and dairy industries. For more information on the history and origins of specific buildings, click here.
Butter and Eggs Day parade
On April 23, several street closures and lawn chairs will mark the 39th annual parade route as people vie for the best views of the family fun procession. Curious about how this tradition got started? Click here! Better yet, come Saturday to learn about all things, well, butter and eggs!
When: April 23, 2022, at noon. Other activities 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Where: Historic downtown Petaluma
Official website: 2022 Butter & Egg Days Parade and Festival
Petaluma Bounty’s 12th Annual Spring Plant Sale
Sunday, April 24, is Petaluma Bounty’s 12th annual Spring Plant Sale. With thousands of edible plant starts benefiting Petaluma’s favorite Community Farm, learn how to grow your own food and help make our community more food secure! To find out more about the sale, click here. Customers must sign up for a shopping time slot, and spots are still available for the afternoon. Click here to register.
When: April 24, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Customer pre-registration required)
Where: Petaluma Bounty Community Farm, 55 Shasta Avenue, Petaluma
More info: Petaluma Bounty Plant Sale webpage
Transhumance Festival
The Transhumance Festival is an annual celebration dedicated to reconnecting people to the land. The festival reintroduces the age-old practice of transhumance — the tradition of moving livestock from one grazing ground to another in a seasonal cycle. This takes the form of local shepherds and land-tenders walking a flock of sheep from the hills of Sonoma County to Steamer Landing Park, in downtown Petaluma, where they will subsequently graze for the day. Following the physical transhumance is an all-day public festival that includes cutting-edge discussions on environmental ethics, regenerative agriculture, watershed health; as well as an art exhibit, live music, theater, interactive educational activities for youth, a local artisan marketplace, and locally sourced and foraged food.
When & Where:
- Fundraiser dinner: April 29, 2022, 5 to 9 p.m. at Tara Firma Farms (Tickets: $100)
- Transhumance: April 30 from Grand Central Cafe to Steamer Landing Park (Free to participate)
More info:
Transhumance Festival official website
Get tickets for Transhumance Farm to Table Benefit Dinner
Blossoms, Blooms & Barnyard Tours
Dozens of local farms invite the public to learn about their practices and products during the Blossoms, Blooms & Barnyard Babies Spring Tour event, which returns after a two-year hiatus. Registration is required through the Sonoma County Farm Trails. Registration is free but required to receive the online tour directory and interactive map. Note that some destinations may only be open one day, have special hours, require an advance RSVP, or charge a fee. All of that information is in the tour directory.
When: April 30 and May 1, 2022.
More info: Sonoma County Farm Trails webpage
Farmers’ Markets
Spring welcomes the start of many seasonal farmers’ markets in our area, adding to fresh shopping destinations beyond our year-round markets. Enjoy our region’s bounty by visiting a market and buying straight from local small to mid-size farms. Farmers’ markets offer family-friendly, authentic experiences you can’t find anywhere else. Our partner markets offer Market Match to CalFresh (EBT) customers. The Market Match program matches customers’ Calfresh benefits spent at participating markets, dollar-for-dollar, up to $10 or $20 maximum, depending on the market.
For more information including market times, dates, and locations, click here.