Sebastappeal by Sarah Glade Gurney - April 2017
April 14 and 15 welcome to town a new event by
Hosted by The Barlow, this two-day event opens withT he Marketplace Expo, Hoppy Easter Hunt and Welcome Reception on Friday. On Saturday morning,Crooked Goat Brewing hosts the ‘start-line beer toast’ before runners hit the scenic 6.2 mile loop course at 8 AM. Next:“The Beer Mile,” an event for qualified runners only. It’s a fast paced running competition where entrants must successfully pass a “chug zone” on each ¼ mile lap.
At the finish, runners and guests can enjoy the Beer and Music Festival [11 AM to 3 PM] at The Barlow’s Event Center. More information and tickets available at destinationraces.com.
Sebastopol’s Classic with Some New Twists
This year’s Apple Blossom Festivalopens with a new – and free - Friday night event. From 7 to 9 PM on April 21, the “Apple Pavilion” will showcase our area’s apple-growing history as we journey through “An Apple Blossom Odyssey.” This reception will honor current apple orchardists.
Located in the Dining Room at the Center for the Arts, mixed media displays will reveal our timeline, from old apple crates and packinghouse photos to today’s revived cider industry. Amongst the themed decorations, visitors may enjoy seeing a video and an apple press.
Many thanks to Cheri Marcucci for leading this new addition to Sebastopol’s signature event. Cheri joins Teresa Ramondo, Linda Collins, Gio Balistreri, and Linda Collins on the Steering Committee that plans this three-day weekend of fun.
Buddy Blossom returns this year, back from retirement! Long-timer Bud Daveiro, who was recently inducted into the Community Awards’ Hall of Fame, created buddy. Look for this apple-stylin’ character – wearing glasses now - as Buddy marches in the parade and travels through the festival grounds. Rumor has it that Buddy is starting a blog.
Contact Lindachamber@sebastopol.org to volunteer and/or sponsor the Apple Blossom Festival.
Certainly a Sebastopol Classic – 33 Years of Learn to Swim
Lap Swim and Family Swim lanes at Ives Pool will be impacted for four weeks, from April 24 through May 19, from noon to 1:30 PM, Monday through Thursday, whenRotary’s Learn to Swim Program enters its 33rd year.
Almost 400 students, second-graders about 7 years old, from 10 schools, will convene at Ives Pool to receive free swim lessons during school hours from volunteer instructors. Pool Manager Ricardo Freitas supports this program led by another long-timer Greg Jacobs from Rotary’s Friday noon club.
Instructors don’t have to be outstanding swimmers to teach in this key program. Rotary will teach volunteers how to teach swimming skills. Phone Greg at 707.823.7341 or email him atgjacobs48@gmail.com for more information.
Why sign up? Estimates state that, for every 100 lessons taught, one life is saved – a critical statistic for folks living near the Russian River and Sonoma State beaches where tragic drownings happen each year.
Oldies – Classic Cars from 1976 and Earlier
On May 27, the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend, tour the parking lot at O’Reilly at the north end of town [1005 North Gravenstein Hwy.] and check out over 200 classic cars with over 2000 other car enthusiasts! Be “Driven to Perfection!” Kids under 12 enter the lot for free. Adults pay only $7 for this fun.
The qualifying cars and trucks – and, I hear, perhaps tractors? - are on display from 10 AM to 3 PM only. Drivers need to register their vehicles, for $25 prior through May 1, then $35 starting May 2, while space lasts. Parking space sells out, so apply right away!
This event benefits the popular and deserving Sebastopol Area Senior Center. For information, contact Dean at 707.829.2440.
