If you’ve come out of your turkey coma and can tear yourself away from the Black Friday doorbusters (be sure to see my blog entry on not-to-miss events going on today), here are some festive events that will be happening this weekend.
Santa’s Riverboat Arrival This has become a yearly tradition for us. We park downtown and make the trek over to the bridge so we can see it lift for the riverboat that carries Santa, Mrs. Claus, and all of their crew. After they greet the kids and pass out candy canes, they will journey over to Haus Fortuna for some free photo ops. We hope to see you there!
Sat, Nov 28th, Noon
Historic Downtown Petaluma
Petaluma Downtown Craft Mart There’s been a lot of buzz about this event. Even Frank Simpson of Petaluma Spectator wrote up on this event. There will be lots of great raffle prizes, tons of crafts, and free swag for the first 50 patrons. This Craft Mart was even named a “Holiday Show You Can’t Miss” by Bazaar Bizarre.
Sun, Nov 29th from noon-5pm
Hotel Petaluma – 205 Kentucky Street, Petaluma, CA
$1 donation
Free Parking
Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair Being that this is Arts and Craft season, I couldn’t miss including the Holiday Faire being held by the Rohnert Park Recreation Department. This will be its 30th year running, and a great opportunity to see the work of talented artists and crafts people from all corners of Sonoma County. Santa will be there as well, busy guy that he is, and will be available for pictures.
Sat, Nov 28th 10:00a to 4:00p
Rohnert Park Community Center, Rohnert Park, CA
Cottage Gardens Holiday Open House What could be more festive than enjoying fresh baked cookies, cider, music, and good times in a beautiful garden setting? Cottage Gardens of Petaluma is opening their garden gates for an open house to start planning your garden, or finding that perfect gift for someone on your list. With any purchase of $25 or more, you will receive a free vintage ornament.
Sat, Nov 28th, 9:00a to 5:00p
Cottage Gardens of Petaluma, Petaluma, CA
Holiday Barn Sale Oilcloth Churcherias is holding their holiday barn sale where they will be selling oilcloth products, including oilcloth by the yard. Along with their market and computer bags, aprons, and tablecloths in a multitude of funky prints, there will also be jewelry, hand-painted crafts, photos, and so much more. Don’t miss the tamales and salsa put together by Mi Fiesta Catering (mmmmm!).
Sat, Nov 28th 10:00a to 3:00p
9201 Ross Station Rd, Sebastopol
Christkindlemarkt (Christmas/Holiday Market)
For a holiday market with a worldly flair, the Christkindlemarket will be a sure bet. Enjoy the many hand-made crafts, food, and music from Germany, Austria, and Switzerland. Munch on some brats and sauerkraut, and take the kids to get their photo with Santa.
Sun, Nov 29th 10:00a to 4:00p
at Hermann Sons Hall, Petaluma, CA
WAYS TO HELP
The Secret Santa Program, partnered with The Volunteer Center’s Giving Tree program, KZST’s Secret Santa Marathon and letter, and with support from Friedman Bros, has provided holiday joy to over 13,000 underprivileged children, vulnerable adults and lonely seniors in Sonoma County – just last year! This year is an especially marginal time as the economy has hit many of our Sonoma County neighbors. Dig a little deeper this year and help make the holidays brighter for a family in need. The Secret Santa Program spells out several ways to do this. First, you can pluck a heart from a tree at many of the businesses around the county that have a name on it and what they are hoping to receive for the holidays. Second, you can visit the KZST website, located at www.kzst.com, and adopt a family or person in need. They also read letters every morning. Or third, the volunteer center is looking for more volunteers. Contact them at www.volunteernow.org to find out how you can help so that more needs are met in our county.
For more ways to help out this season, and all year round, be sure to check out Good Deeds, a blog on ways to serve our community.
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Just a reminder, today is the last day to mail out your child’s letter to Santa so that it might run in the Press Democrat’s Holiday Gift Guide on December 10th. See forum for details.
Wine Country Mom 
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