Gravenstein Apple Fair continues today with good food, music, and vibes in Sebastopol

The aroma of apple fritters greets visitors before they reach the gate at Ragle Ranch Regional Park, signaling arrival at the Gravenstein Apple Fair. The event celebrates its 52nd year while maintaining its claim as “Sonoma County’s Best Festival” with characteristic humor.

The fair promises “good food, good music, and good vibes” across two August days. The park fills with fiddle music, cider toasts, and community conversation, all centered around the Gravenstein apple in various forms including pies, fritters, sauces, cider, and fresh fruit from local orchards.

Carmen Snyder, executive director of Sonoma County Farm Trails, explains: “This fair is about celebrating all things apple. Our ‘Apple Alley’ runs from the entrance all the way down to the music stage.”

The Apple Alley features 14 dedicated vendors offering polished apples for eating, apple butter, cider doughnuts, caramel apples, intricate pies, and the popular Craft Cider Tent showcasing 19 local ciders.

The “Life on the Farm” section engages visitors with sheep shearing, goat milking demonstrations, and cider pressing education for all ages.

The live music stage under oak trees maintains energy throughout the weekend, with families spreading blankets on grass and couples dancing barefoot between sets.

The Artisan Tasting Grove offers shaded seating with small-batch cider, local cheeses, and specialty desserts not found in grocery stores.

The fair maintains a “Zero Waste” commitment by eliminating plastic water bottle sales and installing eight filtered water stations throughout the park.

Proceeds from the fair support Sonoma County Farm Trails programs connecting communities with local farms. Though Gravenstein apples once dominated county orchards, only a fraction remain today, making the fair’s role in maintaining the variety’s visibility important.

The 52nd Annual Gravenstein Apple Fair runs August 9–10 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Ragle Ranch Regional Park in Sebastopol.