Gravenstein Apple Fair

Every August, Sebastopol throws a two-day party for the Gravenstein, the tangy local apple that ripens as summer turns toward fall. Ragle Ranch Regional Park becomes a country fair built around the harvest, with an Apple Alley of Gravenstein treats, a home-baked pie contest, and the county's farmers, makers and musicians in one place.

Sonoma County Farm Trails runs the fair as its major fundraiser, and proceeds go to keeping Sonoma County farms farming.

This is farm-country hospitality at full volume. Bands play across the stages all day, kids take on the ag games and meet the farm animals, and the drinks run to craft ciders, local wines and microbrews. Grown-ups can step into the Artisan Tasting Grove for samples from local producers.

It is also a fair with a conscience: about 95 percent zero waste, and voted the Bohemian's Best Festival every year since 2019. Few days in West County feel this generous.