YOLOFEST, a groundbreaking three-day celebration spotlighting Yolo County’s rich agricultural heritage, burgeoning wine industry, and vibrant local businesses, is set to debut from March 27 to March 29. Organized by Visit Yolo, the inaugural festival invites both residents and visitors to immerse themselves in a diverse array of events, unique experiences, and exclusive lodging specials, marking an ideal opportunity for a springtime escape. Spanning the diverse communities of Winters, Davis, West Sacramento, Woodland, and the expansive Yolo Countryside—including Capay Valley, Clarksburg, Esparto, and Zamora—YOLOFEST promises a comprehensive exploration of what makes this Central Valley region a coveted destination.
The Genesis of YOLOFEST: Celebrating Yolo County’s Identity
Yolo County, often referred to as a cornerstone of California’s agricultural bounty, boasts a legacy deeply rooted in farming and food production. Its fertile lands yield an impressive variety of crops, from processing tomatoes and alfalfa to almonds, walnuts, and a rapidly expanding array of specialty crops and wine grapes. This agricultural prowess has naturally fostered a thriving farm-to-fork movement, positioning Yolo County as a key player in the culinary landscape of Northern California. YOLOFEST emerges from this context, designed to consolidate and amplify the county’s offerings into a cohesive, celebratory event.
The concept behind YOLOFEST is to create a signature springtime festival that not only attracts tourism but also strengthens the connection between consumers and the origins of their food and drink. Unlike more fragmented local events, YOLOFEST provides a county-wide framework, encouraging visitors to explore multiple communities and discover the distinct character of each. The timing in late March is strategic, coinciding with the renewal of spring, when farms are bustling with activity, vineyards begin to bud, and the landscape is particularly picturesque. It offers a refreshing antidote to the lingering chill of winter, inviting a "reset" and an opportunity for outdoor exploration, as highlighted by Guysell Geter, President of Visit Yolo and General Manager of Hotel Winters and Carboni’s Ristorante Bar and Market. Geter emphasized that YOLOFEST aims to enable visitors and locals alike to "savor the very best of Yolo County at their own pace, with a full weekend of experiences featuring live music, unique shopping, wine and spirits tasting, and local farm-to-table restaurants."
A Diverse Tapestry of Events Across the County
The festival’s strength lies in its decentralized structure, allowing each participating community to showcase its unique attractions while contributing to a unified county-wide narrative. Visitors are encouraged to embark on a self-guided journey, utilizing a comprehensive event list and map provided by Visit Yolo to tailor their itineraries.
Davis: Culinary Innovation and Community Engagement
In Davis, the festival’s offerings blend culinary arts with spirited community activities. On Friday, March 27, Line Dancing at Hooby’s Brewing Farm offers an evening of rustic charm, combining dance lessons with craft brews and food from 4 p.m. to 9:30 p.m., with a suggested $5 donation supporting a local charity. This event underscores the blend of entertainment and philanthropic spirit prevalent in the region.
Saturday, March 28, brings a focus on gastronomic exploration at Great Bear Vineyards. The Sip Yolo: Vegan Tapas Class from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. invites participants on a plant-based culinary journey to Spain, culminating in enjoying their creations paired with estate wines. This caters to the growing demand for diverse dietary options and immersive culinary experiences. Later that day, from noon to 5 p.m., Sip Yolo: Sausage Fest provides a hearty alternative, featuring British, German, and local artisan sausages alongside rustic bread, sauerkraut, specialty mustards, and an optional barrel tasting. These events exemplify Yolo County’s commitment to culinary diversity, marrying local produce with global flavors.
For art enthusiasts, the Pence Gallery Self-Guided Scavenger Hunt runs throughout Saturday and Sunday, March 28-29, from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. This free activity encourages engagement with the gallery’s exhibits, offering a raffle entry for a $25 gift certificate upon completion, fostering cultural appreciation within the festival framework.
Winters: Wine, Spirits, and Agrarian Insights
Winters, a charming town increasingly recognized for its boutique wineries and distilleries, offers a series of events highlighting its craft beverage scene and agricultural roots. Spirits of Yolo County at Patio29 Spirits Co runs all three days, featuring cocktail and tasting specials that showcase their award-winning, grain-to-glass spirits made from local Yolo County grains and fruit. This offers a direct connection to the agricultural source of the spirits.
On Saturday, March 28, Sip Yolo: Roots to Wine at Berryessa Gap Vineyards delves into the intricate process of winemaking, starting with a grapevine rootstock grafting demonstration and tour at Martinez Orchards, followed by an exquisite tasting of Winters Highlands AVA wines and the region’s "hero grape," Petite Sirah. This educational experience underscores the scientific and artisanal aspects of viticulture.
Adjacent to this, Lamb Education Day at Turkovich Family Wines from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. provides insights into the integral role of lamb in local agriculture, set against the picturesque backdrop of rolling hills and vineyards. This free event connects visitors with a vital component of sustainable farming in the region.
For family-friendly fun, Morgan’s of California Open House on Friday and Saturday, March 27-28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., offers free Gator tours of their 15-acre organic pick-your-own fruit farm, complete with complimentary samples, goat feeding, and a children’s playground. This highlights the family-oriented aspect of agritourism.
The vibrant Winters Spring Open Saturday Streetside Fair on March 28, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., transforms Main Street into a bustling marketplace. Local shops extend outdoors, joined by vendors showcasing products grown and made in the area, accompanied by live music, an Easter egg hunt, a balloon artist, a face painter, a floral truck, and an ice cream truck. This event epitomizes community spirit and local commerce. Fueling these explorations, Brewed for YOLOFEST at Steady Eddy’s offers fresh-roasted coffee throughout the weekend, including an all-day coffee tasting on Friday.
Yolo Countryside: Deep Dive into Farm Life and Artisanal Production
The expansive Yolo Countryside provides perhaps the most immersive agricultural experiences. In the Capay Valley, Full Belly Farm Tour: 40 Years of Organic Farming runs daily, March 27-29, at 10 a.m. in Guinda. A seasoned farmer leads an hour-long tractor tour of this pioneering organic farm, offering a firsthand look at sustainable farming practices that have been integral to the region for decades. This event speaks to Yolo County’s leadership in organic agriculture.
Concluding the festival on Sunday, March 29, Sip Yolo: Live Music at Taber Ranch in Capay from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. offers a relaxing end to the weekend with live music, wood-fired pizzas, and wine amidst a hillside estate, perfectly encapsulating the leisurely pace of rural life.
Throughout the weekend, Farm Tours & Distillation Demonstrations at Capay Valley Lavender in Capay (10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily) invite visitors to explore fragrant lavender fields and witness the fascinating process of essential oil distillation. This provides a sensory experience connected to specialty crop farming.
Further enriching the rural exploration, Experience a Taste of the Capay Valley at Séka Hills Olive Mill & Tasting Room in Brooks on March 28-29, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., offers an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at this Native-owned, state-of-the-art olive mill. Guided tours demonstrate how estate-grown olives are transformed into award-winning extra virgin olive oils, followed by guided tastings. This highlights the sophisticated processing of agricultural products and the importance of indigenous businesses.
In Esparto, Open Farm Stand & Farm Tours at Polestar Farm (March 27-29, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.) offers guided tours of seasonal crops and on-farm practices, connecting visitors directly to the source of their food. Additionally, Girl’s Day at Grindstone Wines on Saturday, March 28, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. celebrates women-owned small businesses with mimosas, wine specials, local vendors, street eats, and live music, adding a distinct cultural and entrepreneurial dimension.
Woodland: Honey Production Insights
In Woodland, YOLOFEST offers a unique educational opportunity at The HIVE on Saturday, March 28, from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. A Free Honey Facility Tour with Nectar Director Josh Zeldner provides a behind-the-scenes look at how honey is produced from blossom to bottle in their 20,000-square-foot, net-zero energy facility, emphasizing sustainable practices in food processing.
West Sacramento: Unique Perspectives on the Landscape
West Sacramento presents unconventional ways to experience Yolo County’s agricultural panorama. The Yolo Explorer train ride, available March 27-29, offers a scenic journey through the heart of the county’s agricultural landscape, passing working farms and open fields, with sweeping views of the Sacramento Valley and distant Coast Range. This provides a relaxed yet informative way to appreciate the vastness of the region’s agriculture.
For a more active adventure, Railbikes at River Fox Train, also available March 27-29, allows visitors to pedal through the countryside on unique, guided railbike adventures directly on the tracks. This innovative offering provides a fun and scenic way to explore the river corridor and surrounding farmland, combining recreation with an appreciation for the rural environment.
Economic and Community Impact: A Vision for Sustainable Growth
YOLOFEST represents more than just a weekend of festivities; it is a strategic initiative designed to bolster Yolo County’s economy and reinforce its identity as a premier agritourism destination. The direct infusion of visitor spending into local businesses—restaurants, wineries, distilleries, farms, shops, and lodging establishments—is anticipated to provide a significant economic boost. This is particularly crucial for smaller, family-owned enterprises and agricultural operations that benefit from direct sales and increased visibility.
Beyond immediate economic gains, the festival is expected to foster long-term growth by enhancing Yolo County’s appeal as a year-round destination. By showcasing the diversity and quality of its agricultural and artisanal products, YOLOFEST helps to brand the county, attracting future visitors and potentially new residents or businesses. Local officials and business owners express strong enthusiasm for the festival’s potential. "Events like YOLOFEST are crucial for connecting consumers directly with the source of their food and wine," noted one local farmer, underscoring the educational value and direct market access the festival provides. A Winters shop owner added, "This festival is a fantastic opportunity to showcase what makes our town special and draw new visitors to our shops and restaurants, strengthening our local economy."
Furthermore, YOLOFEST plays a vital role in community building. By bringing together diverse local businesses, organizations, and residents, it fosters a sense of shared pride and collaboration. The emphasis on local growers and makers reinforces the farm-to-fork philosophy, promoting sustainable practices and encouraging support for the regional food system. This aligns with broader trends in tourism where travelers increasingly seek authentic, experiential, and locally rooted engagements.
Yolo County’s agricultural sector is a significant economic driver, with its annual crop value often exceeding well over a billion dollars. Events like YOLOFEST serve to bridge the gap between this robust agricultural production and consumer appreciation, adding value through tourism and direct engagement. The festival positions Yolo County not merely as a producer of raw goods, but as a vibrant destination where the journey from farm to table is celebrated, understood, and savored.
As YOLOFEST makes its debut, it lays the groundwork for what could become an annual signature event, solidifying Yolo County’s reputation as a top-tier destination for authentic agricultural experiences, exceptional culinary offerings, and genuine community spirit. For those seeking a refreshing spring getaway that combines education, enjoyment, and engagement with local culture, YOLOFEST offers an unparalleled opportunity.
For a comprehensive list of YOLOFEST events, lodging specials, and a full schedule of activities, visitors are encouraged to visit the official YOLOFEST website.
