$20 pre, $25 gate

Fortuna, Calif. Rotary's annual Art & Wine in the Park event is a wonderful, free admission celebration of the region's great wine producers and artists. The two go hand-in-hand and are enjoyed in Fortuna's Rohner Park.

Music, wine tasting, food sampling, art and music sparkle before summer's sizzle as  California wineries are represented with samples of their products.

Art and Wine in the Park  also invites artists and craftspeople to display their work and sell items ranging from handmade jewelry, hats and clothing to gifts and household items such as wind chimes, plants and paintings. Paintings, ceramics, sculptures, glass art, woodcrafts and photography are usually on display at the event.

Deep-pit barbecue feasts at the picnic area next to the festival offer tempting sensations, thanks to the The Veterans of Foreign Wars who cook tri-tip  and serve up salads, bread and desserts from noon until  4 p.m.  Also look for local favorite, Loleta Cheese, barbecued Humboldt-grown oysters and Fortuna-grown strawberries  served at a chocolate fountain.

There's usually a raffle for wine gifts and other opportunities to help Fortuna Rotary raise money for community projects, which the proceeds from the event are used for.

 Admission to the festival is free. Festival-goers can purchase tasting glasses for $20 at the event (subject to change). -artandwineinthepark.com