Petaluma Food Makers Gather For Holiday Fair

PETALUMA, CA — A fair created after Sonoma County’s devastating wildfires will bring local food makers together under one roof — but a different one than usual.

Dozens of local food makers will sell cheese, bread, charcuterie, chocolate, honey, preserves, wine, and spirits directly to shoppers at Petaluma’s Holiday Food Fair on Nov. 23.

This year Barber Lee Spirits will host the annual event at its downtown Petaluma distillery.

Shoppers can stock up for their Thanksgiving table, buy gifts, and taste spirits and seasonal cocktails amid holiday decorations.

Vendors will decide whether to offer samples. Beer, wine, cocktails, and nonalcoholic drinks will be available for consumption onsite.

Firefighters will sell raffle tickets for vendor-donated prizes to benefit the Petaluma Firefighters Foundation.

Admission is free, but attendees must reserve tickets with entry times offered in 15-minute increments. Organizers limit attendance at any one time to reduce waits and give shoppers more space. Children do not need tickets.

Lorraine and Michael Barber — responsible for a collection of food and drink businesses including Brutal Hill, Barber Lee, Nightcap Dessert Bar, and the Petaluma Cheese Shop — launched the fair after the 2017 wildfires in Sonoma County.

The couple say they saw local artisans that they had supported in their tasting room lose business as farmers markets closed during the height of harvest season.

They created the event to give local food producers a financial boost. The fair has since become an annual holiday gathering for local food artisans and Sonoma County residents.

Taste Petaluma, from 3 to 8 p.m., 120 Washington St.

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