Knocking Balls, Barbie Trash, And Tea Time: Hello Spring, Sonoma Valley

SONOMA VALLEY, CA — Play this week begins for the Wine Country Open Pétanque Tournament, drawing international competitors to Sonoma Valley as one of the region’s busiest spring weekends takes shape.

The tournament in Depot Park begins Saturday after early arrivals and warm-up play Thursday, followed by opening contests the following day.

Up to 64 select doubles teams will compete over two days, with players traveling from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and Europe.

The event has built a steady following by pairing competitive play with a social atmosphere that keeps spectators close to the courts.

Across town, Sonoma Community Center will close its monthlong exhibit “Trashion Fashion Barbies and Bags” on April 25, ending a run that turned discarded dolls and repurposed materials into sculptural art and wearable pieces.

The show filled Gallery 212 with upcycled Barbies, handcrafted bags, and auction items that will raise funds for the center’s programs, with bidding available both in person and online.

The exhibit has also served as a lead-in to a broader Earth Day program on Saturday that will include sustainability talks, local organizations, and hands-on demonstrations focused on climate action and reuse.

Looking ahead, the Sonoma Valley Women's Club will celebrate its 125th anniversary with the Spring Tea in White event on May 2 at the First Street East clubhouse. The event will support the club’s scholarship fund and include live music, raffles, and a traditional tea service, with guests encouraged to dress in white for the occasion.

Together, the events blend competition, creativity, and civic tradition into a single weekend rhythm, drawing visitors while anchoring local participation across multiple venues.