I bet that even the most solitary monk, living in a remote cave in some foreign country, knows that Healdsburg is a mecca for wine lovers. Ideally located just a short drive from more than 100 award-winning wineries in the renowned appellations of Alexander Valley, Dry Creek Valley and Russian River Valley, Healdsburg makes the perfect base-camp for your explorations. But perhaps you’re not be in the mood just to go taste wines (perish the thought!) or more possible maybe you’d like to add on a little something different–Ok, now THAT’S more like it!
If so, then you will want to join in all the excitement surrounding Healdsburg for the annual Steelhead Festival (February 10) in honor of the return of Wild Steelhead to the Russian River, one of the country’s greatest fishing spots for the coveted trout. Many local restaurants will be highlighting wild fish on their menus and fish-friendly wineries will be participating. Attendants can also take advantage of the many fun and educational events offered over the course of the three day festival.
The Festival kicks off Friday evening with wine and hors d’oeuvres and a Gala Dinner, prepared by premier Chef ‘s.
Saturday, under big tents, the Healdsburg Plaza is the place to be from 10am – 4pm where there will be free activities and attractions for kids of all ages. A huge fishing pond will be well stocked with trout for the young angler in your family to try their hand at fishing. Poles will be provided. There will be demonstrations on fly-tying, fly fishing and cooking demos, and the latest in fishing gear you need to enhance your fishing experience. Educational booths will be brought to us by the Department of Fish and Game, Trout Unlimited , Russian River Keeper, Sonoma County Water Agency and many more.There will be arts and crafts to do and a fish maze, where children can “be the steelhead’ and make their way upstream through all sorts of obstacles.
(Even if you can’t make the festival, no worries, steelhead fishing is possible during the whole season, December – March.)
Healdsburg Chamber of Commerce & Visitors Bureau at 707- 433-6935 or 1-800-648-9922 (CA only).
For Tickets: http://lakesonoma.org/support-lake-sonoma/lake-sonoma-steelhead-festival/
