Thirteen original paintings and photographs depicting Capay Valley landmarks will be on display for the 103rd annual Capay Valley Almond Festival and auctioned as part of a fundraiser to benefit the preservation and renovation of the historic Grange Hall in Guinda.
The festival gets underway at 10 a.m. and continues to 4 p.m. throughout the Capay Valley.
Artists featured include Ashland, Oregon, watercolorist Darlene Southworth, Yolo County pastel artist Claire Haag, photographer Susan Cohen Byrne and others.
The auction opens at 10 a.m., Sunday and will close at 4 p.m.
The Grange Hall will be open for early viewing and bidding from 3 to 4 p.m., Saturday.
The Almond Festival is a multi-town showcase of the Esparto/Capay Valley Region and a chance for visitors to experience the Capay Valley in its springtime glory.
Other events planned include music by the Mike Osborn Band at the Rumsey Town Hall. Food and drinks include wood fired pizza, sliders and various foods (notably almond petal ice cream), handcrafted items by various vendors, lavender products, art show, a children’s play area and local almond harvesting equipment.
Guinda activities include music by the Capay Valley Chorus and various instrumentalists and vocalists, Grammy Wyatt’s Famous Almond Rocca, Nona’s Walnut Rocca, homemade almond ice cream, olive oil tasting, children’s petting zoo and pony rides, various displays of farming equipment and machinery, bat and bird houses, leather crafts and ironworks, jewelry, embroidery, handmade glass and specialty soaps.
Local businesses that will be open include The Commons Farm Kitchen and The Corner Store. The Guinda Volunteer Fire Department will be selling their popular barbecued oysters and other barbecued treats with various beverages.
Brooks activities include the Seka Hills Olive Mill and guest musicians.
Capay activities include a passport location at The Road Trip Café and The Honey Store across the street. The Road Trip Café will have live music and Native American dancing in addition to their menu of food and drink.
Esparto activities include the Esparto Regional Chamber of Commerce tent, Future Farmers of America Breakfast is at 7 to 11 a.m. at the Esparto High School Cafeteria. After breakfast the Almond Festival Queen and her Court will be introduced at the Esparto Park.
Tri-Tip sandwiches & beverages will available at the Esparto Volunteer Fire Department. The park will be hosting activities including various professional musicians throughout the day, various vendors, carnival rides, Dilly Dally the Clown and The CAR SHOW by the Madison Fire Department.
The Esparto Regional Chamber of Commerce will host the Annual Almond Cooking and Bake-Off Contest: “EAT MORE ALMONDS” ($100 and $50 cash prizes for first and second place.)
There will also be a car show to be held just north of the Esparto Park.
