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August is the festive food month for festivals in California. Thanks to predictable weather,  it's possible to host food events outdoors with very little concern that it will rain. From bananas to tomatoes,  watermelon to wine,  the August Food Festivals in California are delicious opportunities to sample,  sip and meet new friends sharing a similar passion for food. Foodies love August,  and they love California,  one of the top producers of many crops.

2012

August 3-5,  2012   Mammoth Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza
Mammoth Lakes,  California
mammothbluesbrewsfest.com

 17th Annual Mammoth Bluesapalooza and Festival of Beers The 17th Annual Mammoth Festival of Beers and Bluesapalooza includes the Grand Tasting from more than 60 of the country's best craft-breweries and performances by top blues performers. Friday, August 3rd, through Sunday, August 5th, 2012 at Sam's Wood Site in Mammoth Lakes, CA. Located in the beautiful community of Mammoth Lakes, CA. This is an outdoor venue-please bring blankets and LOW BACKED sand chairs, no pets or outside alcohol. Event features more than 70 of the country's best microbreweries. Along with the beer and blues,  a Blues-style BBQ and plenty of other food. Don't forget the Sunday Morning Hangover Party.

July 30 - August 5, 2012  SF Chefs 2012
San Francisco,  California
sfchefsfoodwine.com  

Highlighting local talent,  regional ingredients and Northern Californian flair with tastings,  classes,  dinners,  and events. During the weekend,  a tented tasting pavilion will be housed on the historic Union Square,  with culinary,  wine and cocktail classes and events held at The Westin St. Francis Hotel.

August 11,  2012   Winemakers' Cookoff
Paso Robles,  California
winemakerscookoff.com

14th Annual event in 2011 is a casual evening of relaxed good times,  where you'll meet 30 of the area's finest winemaker-chefs. Taste the tempting fare grilled for your dining pleasure and enjoy wines selected to pair

August 11,  2012  San Rafael Food & Wine Festival
San Rafael,  California
sresproductions.com

6th Annual Festival includes food from area restaurants as you sample wines from 25 of the region's outstanding boutique wineries. In addition,  there will be a chef demonstration area featuring a number of area restaurants. The San Rafael Food & Wine Festival Saturday, August 11 1pm to 5pm • Falkirk Cultural Center Mission Street at E Street • San Rafael

August 11-12,  2012 Gravenstein Apple Fair
Ragle Ranch Regional Park 500 Ragle Road, Sebastopol, CA
gravensteinapplefair.com  
$12 general admission; $10 senior;  $5 youth; Free under age 6

The Gravenstein Apple Fair is sponsored by Sonoma County Farm Trails,  a non-profit organization created to support sustainable agricultural diversity in Sonoma County.

August 18,  2012  Grape to Glass
Russian River Valley,  California
rrvw.org

17th Annual event is hosted by the people of the Russian River Valley. Grape to Glass encourages you to live like a local as you indulge in a weekend of Northern California wine country living.

August 3-4, 2012    24th Annual Taste in San Pedro
San Pedro,  California
tasteinsanpedro.com

18th Annual
Over 30 restaurants,  wineries,  breweries,  artists,  merchants and live musicians at a magnificent seaside setting. Join us for San Pedro's finest hometown festival!

August 4, 2012  Nevada City Uncorked
Nevada City,  California
sierravintners.com

Historic Downtown Grass Valley is the sizzling spot for a robust sampling of local Foothill wines,  beers and food from 30 wineries and restaurants.

August 12, 2012   Lemon Festival
Chula Vista,  California
thirdavenuevillage.com

16th Annual Lemon Festival celebrates Chula Vista's heritage as the  Lemon Capital of the World  and features live entertainment on 3 stages,  hand crafters,  international foods,  contests and lemons galore.

 August 10-12, 2012  50th Annual Watermelon Festival
Sunland-Tujunga,  California
lionswatermelonfestival.com

Seed spitting contests ongoing throughout the fest. Greased melon relay race,  watermelon carving display,  music and marketplace. Enjoy free watermelon--a healthy treat!

August 4, 2012 Yorkville Highlands Wine Festival
Yorkville,  California
yorkvillehighlands.org

Bbq,  Over 30 Local Wines,  Live Music,  Grape Stomp,  Silent Auction.

August 11, 2012    Woodland Tomato Festival
Woodland,  California
woodlandtomatofestival.com

Celebrating Yolo County's tomato bounty with a fun day of food,  entertainment,  educational and recreational activities,  and local crafts.

August 11-19, 2012  Nisei Week Japanese Festival
Los Angeles,  California
niseiweek.org

71st Annual event is always held in Little Tokyo.  Los Angeles oldest ethnic festival.

August 17-19, 2012  Mammoth Festival- Wine,  Music,  Food & Art
Mammoth Lakes,  California
mammothmountain.com  

Live music,  wine tasting,  regional fare and more.

August 18, 2012   Olive Festival
Paso Robles,  California
pasoroblesolivefestival.com

9th annual olive-inspired event. Olive oil and olive product sampling from producers all over California,  culinary row with great food,  wine & beer tasting,  cooking contest and free olive oil ice cream.

August 18, 2012 Berkeley Coffee & Tea Festival

Hotel Shattuck Plaza
2086 Allston Way
Berkeley, CA
9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
$25 admission - includes a mini souvenir coffee tasting mug!
berkeleycoffeeteafest.com
(510) 549-7000

The 2nd annual festival  features more than 30 coffee roasters, cafes and tea purveyors.  Panel discussions on brewing,  demonstrations such as a Japanese tea ceremony, and classes on fair trade versus organic beans delve deeply into the intricacies, insides and outs of the trade. There will also be pastries and plenty of free samples.

August 18, 2012  Invitational Beer Festival
Escondido,  California
stonebrew.com

Stone 16th Anniversary Celebration is biggest fundraiser and beer festival of the year!

August 18-19, 2012  Zucchini Festival
Hayward,  California
haywardzucchini.org

30th Annual event is sponsored by the South Hayward Lions Club,  the festival will provide fun and entertainment for the whole family.

August 18-19, 2012   Tomato Festival
Fairfield,  California
fairfielddowntown.com

21st Annual event celebrates the tomato as the Suisan Valley's top producing crop. Many activities including tomato cooking and eating contests; entertainment,  arts & crafts,  farmers' market--100 heirloom tomatoes to taste and buy. Attendance: 30, 000.

August  24-25, 2012  Corning Olive Festival
Corning,  Calif.
corningchamber.org

Miss Corning,  missing olive contest,  olive festival mixer,  olive festival parade,   pancake breakfast, fun run/walk, arts, crafts,  food booths, music and entertainment, children's activities, cook-off judging, talent show, olive drop and more. 

August 24-25, 2012  Mammoth Rocks Taste of the Sierra
Mammoth Lakes,  California
mammothrocks.net

Music,  Food and Fun.

August 25, 2012   Rotary Wine Taste Chula Vista
Chula Vista,  California
 chulavistarotary.org

Annual event features signature samples from exclusive restaurants and wineries,  live entertainment and an exciting silent auction.

August 25, 2012   Taste of Petaluma
Petaluma,  California
Time: 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.
(707) 763-8920
tasteofpetaluma.org

 Embark on a culinary walking journey of Sonoma County's finest restaurants, galleries, shops, wineries, breweries and food purveyors. The event is the 6th Annual culinary walking journey of Petaluma's finest restaurants,  galleries,  shops,  wineries,  breweries and foods. Sample Petaluma's upscale culinary and art scene in one afternoon. This event benefits Cinnabar Theater, now in its 39th year.

August 18, 2012   Simply diVine: A Summer Soirée for the Senses
  Beverly Hills,  California
simplydivinela.org

Celebrate fine food,  wine and spirits along the cobblestone path at Two Rodeo Drive in Beverly Hills. Sip,  sample and savor food from many of L.A.'s hottest restaurants and wine.

August 25-26, 2012  Italian Family Festa
San Jose,  California
 iahfsj.org

Authentic Italian foods,  a great variety of continuous entertainment,  arts and crafts,  and an extensive historical photo display of the local Italian American community. Activities will include a grape-stomping contest,  children's games,  a Tarantella contest and much more. Attendance: 25, 000.

August 25-26, 2012      Bodega Bay Seafood Art & Wine Festival
Bodega,  California
winecountryfestivals.com

18th Annual event features seafood entrees from various restaurants and catering companies,  along with a large wine and microbrew tasting. 30 wineries from Sonoma,  Napa,  and Mendocino counties. A juried,  quality art and craft marketplace,  and lots of great entertainment. The event benefits the Stewards of the Coast and Redwoods and the Bodega volunteer fire dept.

August 26, 2012   Jewish Food Festival 
5716 Carmel Valley Road
Carmel, California
carmelbethisrael.org
10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Jewish Food Festival! Matzo Balls, Potato Latkes, and Kugel, Oh My! The Congregation Beth Israel (CBI) is hosting it's 24th Annual Jewish Food Festival at  and it's open to the public. Admission and parking are free so bring the kids, your relatives and friends!  No pets please.  Israeli Folk Dancing, Auction, Children's Play Area, Real Jewish Cooking! Corned Beef and Pastrami Sandwiches, Cheesecake, Matza Ball Soup, Latkes, Knishes, and lots, lots more! Jewish Food for The Soul! The event will feature arts and crafts, Israeli folk dancing, auction, children's play area, Wheelie Mobilee from MY Museum, and lots of Jewish  food for the soul.  Music performances by Alisa Fineman and Kimbal Hurd, Hoo-Tza-Tza, and Zambra. 

August 12-14, 2012  Expo Comida Latina
Anaheim Convention Center,  California
expocomidalatina.com

Co-located the Western Foodservice & Hospitality Expo with Expo Comida Latina.

  NO DATE AVAILABLE OR NOT BEING HELD

August 6,  2011    Sacramento TomatoFest
Sacramento,  California theterracecuisine.com (website discontinued)2nd Annual Sacramento TomatoFest  goes from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Prizes to winners in three categories: largest tomato,  smallest tomato and ugliest tomato.  A number of local restaurant chefs will compete for a trophy and bragging rights as they prepare their best salsa,  bruschetta and tomato soup  (hot or cold).  Wine-tasting,  live music,  demonstrations by Master Gardeners,  and a Kid's Area. Town & Country Village sponsors event.

August 27,  2011   OC Foodie Fest
Anaheim,  Orange County,  California
ocfoodiefest.com  The outdoor festival is the first of its kind in Orange County,  bringing together 50 of the best local gourmet food trucks to one central location. The one-day event will be the ultimate foodie destination,  featuring the best in popular mobile eats with a diverse roster of traditional and fusion cuisines,  combined with a unique forum to showcase local entertainment & shopping to help support local charities.

• August Food Fests - Taste Bananas, Watermelon, Olives, Tomatoes, Zucchini and Seafood!