Sample the Sierra, Lake Tahoe’s largest farm-to-fork festival runs from noon to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 15, at Bijou Community Park, 1201 Al Tahoe Blvd., South Lake Tahoe. It celebrates the talent of the Sierra Nevada region via food, wine, beer, spirits, produce, art and music.
Worn Out Welcome, a South Shore string band featuring Josh Sweigert (guitar, vocals), C.J. Cooney (mandolin, vocals), Ryan Cassidy (resonator guitar, backup vocals), and Aaron Craig (bass, backup vocals), will headline this year’s lineup of live music at Sample the Sierra. The Roemers family band also will perform.
The event brings together local chefs/restaurants with neighboring growers/producers to turn out scrumptious samples craftily paired with the appropriate wine or brew. The festival marketplace includes locally made goods such as jam, soap, honey and olive oil along with specialty products created right here in the county, such as fine art, jewelry, and crafts.
Sample the Sierra also features the Sierra Chefs Challenge, a cooking challenge between three regional chefs cooking with locally sourced ingredients. Watch three of the most talented chefs prepare delicious meals – and even get the opportunity to taste them.
Tickets are $40 for full tasting or $30 for designated driver. On day of event, tickets are $45 and $35. Children 3 and under are free. Visit SampletheSierra.com for tickets and more information.