An Apple Extravaganza

The 52nd Annual Gravenstein Apple Fair

On August 9th and 10th, Sonoma County Farm Trails held one of Sebastopol’s most significant events all year: The Gravenstein Apple Fair. This year’s fair included live music, apple competitions, ag-related presentations, and vendors selling all sorts of locally produced items. In addition, there were various upgraded tickets for purchase that unlocked tasty treats, artisan-crafted food and drink, and a private lounge. And all of it was a fundraiser for the Sonoma County Farm Trails nonprofit.

The Gravenstein Apple Fair was founded all the way back in 1973 by the Sonoma County Farm Trails, as the biggest fundraiser for the then-new organization. This was long before the creation of farmers’ markets or community-supported agriculture, and so was a fantastic opportunity for local farmers to connect and raise money with their consumers. Back then, Sebastopol was known as the “Gravenstein Apple Capital of the World” and was growing over four thousand acres of apple trees. Today, with the decline of apple production and the increase of vineyards in Sonoma County, that number has been cut in half. However, the annual Gravenstein Apple Fair has remained incredibly popular, and is a great celebration of Sebastopol’s apple-filled past.

The Artisan Tasting Grove at the 2025 Gravenstein Apple Fair.

The Artisan Tasting Grove and VIP Lounge

Some of the biggest draws of this year’s Apple Fair were the two new upgraded tickets: the Artisan Tasting Grove and the VIP lounge package. The grove was an elevated tasting experience, with access to over thirty local vendors who offered samples, bites, and sips of their Sonoma County products. The area was set up in a secluded redwood grove, away from the heat and crowds of the regular fair. Artisan Tasting Grove co-chair Lynda Rosko noted that both the tasting grove and the VIP lounge sold out, adding, “This is everything we expected.” Rosko also recalled that the Artisan Tasting Grove has gone through several changes over the years to become what it is today. “[We’ve had] many different variations with the [Artisan Tasting Lounge], the tasting area, and now we are the Grove,” she said.

The Artisan Tasting Grove at the 2025 Gravenstein Apple Fair. (Lawson Gaylord)

Sharon R. at the Patisserie Angelica table in the Artisan Tasting Grove.

In addition to all the happy fairgoers with access to the grove, the vendors also seemed very excited to be there. Sharon R., who works at Patisserie Angelica in Sebastopol, remarked that “As a vendor here – you know what, it’s wonderful.” She added that, “It’s great, because you get so many wonderful customers, everybody’s just so brand new and themselves.”

The VIP package included access to the Artisan Tasting Grove, the VIP lounge, private restrooms, and additional perks. Overall, the upgraded ticket experience this year elevated the average Apple Fair to another level.

Sharon R. at the Patisserie Angelica table in the Artisan Tasting Grove. (Lawson Gaylord)

Even without upgraded tickets, fairgoers could enjoy great food, live music, and fun competitions. At the Life on the Farm Arena sponsored by the Farm Bureau, visitors could watch ag-related presentations, demonstrations, and panels. It was here at the Farm Arena that West County mother-daughter duo Jody and Lauren McNaughton placed 1st and 2nd, respectively, in the apple pie baking contest. Over at the music stage, great live music could be heard, and fairgoers could eat their apple treats at the picnic area while listening to the bands. At Apple Alley, vendors sold every type of apple product imaginable.

Mary Anna Maloney at one of the many Zero Waste Stations located around the Gravenstein Apple Fair.

The Goal of Zero Waste

In addition to all of the activities at the fair this year, the Sonoma County Farm Trails had a goal of minimizing waste produced at the event. Food service wares were all compostable items or reusable silverware and glasses. Condiments were offered in containers, as opposed to plastic packets. Plastic water bottles were not sold at the event, and fairgoers were instead instructed to bring their own refillable water bottles, which could be filled for free at one of the many refilling stations around the event.

Along with the reduction of plastic items, all of the trash at the event was sorted at staffed Zero Waste Stations. At these locations, fair staff would help visitors sort their items into various containers—pig food, silverware, compostables, recyclables, and garbage. Mary Anna Maloney, who was staffing one of the many stations, remarked that, “This is the best thing. The goal of zero waste is to make sure that we have a place to put everything. We’re feeding the pigs. We’re composting, we’ve got recycling. We have a little bit of garbage, but this makes a fabulous difference.” At the end of the fair, local pig farmers stop by and pick up a trailer-full of discarded food, which otherwise would have been sent to the landfill. “It’s truly wonderful,” Maloney added.

Mary Anna Maloney at one of the many Zero Waste Stations located around the Gravenstein Apple Fair. (Lawson Gaylord)

Although attendance statistics aren’t yet available for this year’s fair, it looks like 2025 will be on par with other well-attended years – upwards of 15,000 attendees total. Several food booths sold out both days, multiple vendors reported record-breaking sales, and the fair completely sold out the upgraded tickets for both days. This year’s event was incredibly successful, and the organizers are looking forward to another successful year in 2026.

The live music stage at the Gravenstein Apple Fair. (Lawson Gaylord)