Pride, joy and pageantry at Vintage Fest

The Valley of the Moon Vintage Festival, a hometown production of music, art, history and pageantry, returns September 23-25 with events in and around Sonoma Plaza.

The festivities begin with the opening night party Friday at the Sonoma Barracks. The 6 p.m. event features live music and dancing with Pride & Joy (pictured), plus food and wine. Tickets are $85.

The entertainment moves to the Plaza for free music throughout the weekend. The Main Stage, to the north of City Hall, has a large grassy area for picnicking and dancing while a second stage will be located in the wine tasting area.

There will be continuous music on both stages starting at 12:30 p.m. On Saturday, September 24, headliners include The Whiskey Thieves and Tommy Thomson. On Sunday, performers include The Hellhounds, Mad & Eddie Duran, Dick Conte Trio, and Terrie Odabi & Pure Sound.

Saturday activities include a reenactment of the Bear Flag Revolt, with costumed actors playing out the doings of that fateful day back in 1846. A Blessing of the Grapes follows, then, at 11 a.m., the Glen Ellen Fire Department will defend its crown as the Grand Water Fight Champs as area firefighter teams hose it out on Napa St.

On Sunday, the annual parade makes its way around the Plaza. Note the new starting time of 11 a.m. There will also be Vintage 5k Run, with a new component this year: a Tiny Tracks Race, a companion run/walk for children up to age eight and their families.

On both Saturday and Sunday, there will be an art show and sale on the Plaza, plus wine and food vendors and community displays. At 2 p.m. on each day, two-person teams will compete in another of the event’s traditional events, the Great Grape Stomp.

For a complete schedule of events, contact sonomavinfest.org or 996.6881.