Sebastopol
How ’Bout Them Apples?
The 52nd Annual Gravenstein Apple Fair returns Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9-10, bringing its signature blend of homegrown charm, community spirit and orchard-to-festival activities to Ragle Ranch Regional Park. With award-winning local food, live music, craft beverages, and, of course, heirloom apples galore, this bash celebrates Sonoma County’s agricultural roots in full bloom. Produced by Sonoma County Farm Trails, the fair is a fundraiser, a feast and a fan favorite (voted Best Festival in Sonoma County three years running). Expect interactive farm experiences, kids’ activities, cooking demos and a deep core of eco-conscious vibes—it’s also a Zero Waste event. 10am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 9-10, Ragle Ranch Regional Park, 500 Ragle Rd., Sebastopol. Advance tickets and full lineup at GravensteinAppleFair.com.
Santa Rosa
Arts Ed Mixer at Food Park
Supporters of arts education may start here: On Wednesday, Aug. 20, the Arts Education Alliance is hosting a casual, no-agenda networking mixer at Mitote Food Park in Santa Rosa. Whether one is an educator, artist, administrator or just curious about what’s happening in the arts education world, they may bring their ideas, business cards and a friend for an evening of connection, tacos and inspiration. 5:30-7:30pm, Wednesday, Aug. 20, at Mitote Food Park, 100 Sebastopol Rd., Santa Rosa. RSVP at bit.ly/sococreative-mixer.
Point Reyes Station
Think Inside the Box
The West Marin tradition returns: The Box Show™ is back at Gallery Route One from Aug. 16 to Sept. 13. This annual auction transforms 150 identical wooden boxes—crafted this year by Tomales High woodshop students—into wildly inventive artworks by local creatives. The result? A riot of whimsy, beauty and surprise that fuels a fundraiser for arts education and community programming. Opening reception from 3-5pm, Saturday, Aug. 16 at Gallery Route One, 11101 Highway 1, Point Reyes Station. Admission is free. Bidding runs through Sept. 13 at auctria.events/BoxShow2025. Full details and virtual tour at galleryrouteone.org.
Fairfax
The Devil You Know
As the Grateful Dead’s 60th anniversary swells with fanfare and Aug. 9 marks three decades since Jerry Garcia’s passing, Fairfax plays host to a uniquely personal tribute. This Friday, Aug. 8, filmmaker and author Len Dell’Amico—longtime creative collaborator and friend of Garcia—comes to the Fairfax Pavilion to discuss his new memoir, Friend of the Devil: My Life with Jerry Garcia and the Grateful Dead. Presented by Point Reyes & Wayfinder Books, this rare appearance offers behind-the-scenes insight into the band’s most electric era, from a director who helped shape the visual legacy of the Dead from 1980 to 1995. One may come for the stories, stay for the spirit. 6pm, Friday, Aug. 8, Fairfax Pavilion, 142 Bolinas Rd. More info at bit.ly/deadbook-fairfax.
