Mendocino County in Autumn
Falling Leaves, Deserted Beaches, Wonderful Wines, Succulent Funghi & Abalone

MENDOCINO COUNTY, Calif. (Fall, 2008) – Fall in Northern California’s Mendocino County brings bright days, crisp nights, turning leaves, and some of the most exciting food festivals and events of the year – all in the intimate atmosphere that prevails after peak season is over and the County relaxes.

Autumn kicks off Labor Day weekend with Paul Bunyan Days (August 29 – September 1st) in Fort Bragg. This year’s theme is “Clowning Around with Paul & Babe” and the traditional logging show, parade and barbeque will be joined by the “Cutting Edge” Forest Expo, a free event to help the public learn about important changes taking place in forestry and logging practices. For more information, visit www.paulbunyandays.com or call 707-964-3356.

The Sixteenth Annual Studio Discovery Tour leads adventurers on a free self-guided tour along the coast, where artists open their private studios to visitors. It’s a unique opportunity to witness an artist at work, to ask questions and to purchase original and unique works of art. Artwork includes paintings, sculptures, jewelry, ceramics, glass art, textiles, photography, iron work, murals and more. The tour takes place Labor Day weekend (Saturday, August 30th through Monday, September 1st) and the weekend after (Saturday, September 6th through Sunday, September 7th), from Stewarts Point in Sonoma County up through Little River in Mendocino County. Call 707-884-1138 or visit http://www.gualalaarts.org/ for further information.

Winesong!, this September 5 - 7, is celebration of food, wine, music and giving, held in the only coastal botanical gardens in the Continental US, the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens in Fort Bragg. On Sunday the 7th, the Subdudes will perform Live at The Garden, from 2 -5 p.m. on the Event Lawn – right next to the ocean bluffs! Winesong! benefits the Mendocino Coast Hospital Foundation and includes a charity wine auction, barrel tasting, and artists’ showcase. Go to www.winesong.org or call 707-961-4909. For concert tickets, call 707-964-4352.

No September would be complete without the annual Roots of Motive Power Festival in Willits, September 6 – 7. Roots of Motive Power was founded to preserve and restore steam- and diesel-powered equipment used in the California north coast logging industry from the 1850s to the present. Free train rides, model trains and vintage cars add to the festivities, which also include a barbecue and raffle. Go to www.rootsofmotivepower.com to learn more or call (707) 459-2736.

The Annual Mendocino County Fair and Apple Show (September 12 - 14) is a real old-fashioned country fair, with activities for the entire family including a rodeo, petting zoo, apple tasting, wine tasting, hoedown and parade. The ever-popular Sheepdog Trails take place at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Parking is $5 at the Boonville Fairgrounds. Take Highway 101 to Highway 128 West to Boonville. Go to www.mendocountyfair.org or call 707.895.3011.

Deemed the “Dance Aid” for the new millennium, Earthdance, the Global Dance Festival for Peace, has grown to become the world's largest simultaneous music and dance event, and seeks to promote peace through the global language of music and dance. Join revelers September 12 – 14 at Black Oak Ranch in Laytonville for three days of celebration, which includes 5 Stages of Entertainment featuring Jamband, World, Conscious Lyricism, Electronica, Reggae and Folk music. Also featuring Global Artisans Market, All Night Music Cafés, a Native American Elders Council, and much more! Visit http://www.earthdance.org/laytonville for more information.

Hopland's Famous Wine Tasting Event, Fall Passport, is October 28 – 29 this year. Hopland-area wineries show off their finest wines -- with entertainment that might include include live music, bocce ball, barrel tasting, barbeques, book signings, reserve and future tastings and much more. Go to www.hoplandpassport.com for more information or call 800-564-2582 or 707.744.2020.

Ukiah’s Country Pumpkinfest (October 18 – 19) blends a harvest and music festival into the Halloween holiday. Along with a variety of delicious foods, the streets of downtown Ukiah are filled with craft vendors, fine arts exhibits, and "Scarecrow City". Enjoy live music, a country fiddle contest and the ever-popular children's carnival including many games and amusements. Try your luck at a pie-eating contest or show off your green thumb by entering the great pumpkin weigh-off! For more information, call 707-463-6712.

Mendocino County is one of the only places where divers can harvest delicious abalone for their own delectation. This treasured mollusk is the focus of the Abalone Cook-off and Festival, October 4th at Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg. There will be a silent auction, craft fair, live music, food, wine – and of course the all important abalone cook-off competition. Go to http://mendoparks.org/Abalone/default.html or call (707) 937-4700 to register or find out more.

The second annual county-wide Day of the Dead Festival, from October 27th through November 2nd, includes crafts and numerous food-related events, including cooking demonstrations. An altar trail commemorating loved ones lost will be displayed at wineries, galleries and restaurants throughout the county. Also back by popular demand -- the tequila tasting! For more information contact Connie at the Little River Inn, 707-962-2191 or e-mail connier@littleriverinn.com.

Some feel one of the highlights of fall is Mendocino County’s annual Mushroom Festival (this year November 7th through 16th) but visitors will find mushroom menus and mushroom foraging excursions all season long throughout the county, from about October through January. Check www.gomendo.com and search for “mushroom” to find some of the many mushroom events, meals, and special lodging rates.

A fundraising event for Gualala Arts and a community celebration, the two-day Festival of Trees steps back in time by transforming the Gualala Arts Center into a 19th century mill town. Festival-goers will be served hearty 'vittles,’ including fresh coffee, homemade chili and cornbread, clam chowder and real sourdough, just like the old days. The Stage Road Saloon will offer such libations as hot-spiced apple cider and - for adults only - the legendary Scrumpy. Also features a Gingerbread House Contest, as well as a Fantasy Forest, where decorated "theme" trees are for sale in the Silent Auction. Please call (707) 884-1138 for more information, or email info@gualalaarts.org.

Mendocino County, part of California's famous North Coast wine region, begins about 90 miles north of San Francisco and is located directly north of Sonoma County. The county offers visitors a range of activities and accommodations for active lifestyles, romantic getaways, or regionally sourced food and wine experiences.

For more information on Mendocino County, call 866-STAY-MENDO or visit www.gomendo.com.

Media Contact: HypeHouse, Inc. | Heather Thompson | 415-788-4114 | heather@hypehouse.com