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MARCH 7 & 8

MENDOCINO, Calif. — Wine tasting and whale watching will be the featured attractions of the 27th Annual Mendocino Whale Festival March 7th and 8th in Mendocino.

Many wineries will set up tasting stations in inns, galleries and shops throughout Mendocino Village and Little River, while the area’s top chefs produce their favorite seafood chowders in a tasting event. A marine mammal art exhibit, plein-air (live outdoor painting demonstrations) and docent-led walks are all part of the two-day festival.

With some 20,000 gray whales migrating north from birthing grounds in Mexico to their winter home in Alaska, there will be plenty of whales to view from the Mendocino Headlands State Park, which surrounds Mendocino Village.

Major events include:

  • Wine Tasting in Mendocino and Little River's Shops and Inns - Saturday Only. 12-4pm.  $30 per person gets you wine, food and entrance to all. Register at Welcome Centers: Crown Hall-Main St, the Ford House-Main St. Event brochures, t-shirts and totes available. 21 & over only
     

  • Chowder Tasting in Crown Hall, Saturday from 11am-till the chowder runs out, $10. Crown Hall located at 45285 Ukiah St., Mendocino. T-shirts and totes available during event.
     

  • Whale Watching walks on the headlands and Gray Whale Exhibit at the Ford House Visitor’s Center, Saturday and Sunday. Call 937-5397 for more information and hours Ford House Visitor Center located on ocean side of Main Street, Mendocino.
     

  • Many California State Parks activities at MacKerricher State Park, Point Cabrillo Light Station, and Mendocino Headlands State Park. Click here for press release PDF  and
     

  • Jughandle Creek Nature Center on-site naturalist will set up guided whale watching walks by reservations and will provide spotting scopes and educational materials. Contact: Helene Chalfin, 964-4630 or email: jughandle@creek.org
     

  • Lighthouse Activities, Pt. Cabrillo Lighthouse exhibits and children’s activities on Saturday and Sunday, 9am-4pm Includes tide pool exhibit, lighthouse history, bird walks from Audubon Society, whale watching, and a Marine Mammal Center of Sausalito rescue demonstration. Docents & naturalists on hand. Parking $3 -  Click here for press release PDF.
     

  • Plein-air Artists in the Village Weather permitting! See local artists painting on the Mendocino Headlands, Saturday
     

  • 4th Annual Marine Wildlife Exhibit at the Mendocino Art Center, 10-4pm, Little Lake St., Mendocino. Call 937-5818 features nationally and locally honored marine wildlife artists including the late JD Mayhew, designer of Whale Festival logo

     

  • Whale Watching Cruises from Noyo Harbor in Fort Bragg all day both Saturday and Sunday, call Chamber of Commerce for charter boat referrals, 707-961-6300 between 9-5 on weekdays, 9-3 on Saturday
     

  • Whale Watching by Horseback, call Chamber of Commerce for referrals, 707-961-6300 between 9-5 on weekdays, 9-3 on Saturday.
     

  • Comedian Stu Stuart is set to perform March 6&7 at 8pm in the Sequoia Room at North Coast Brewing Co. Tickets are $15 each and available at the brewery.
     

  • Mendocino Stories and Music Series presents “The Return of Hit and Run”
    Hit and Run Theater & Friends will make its first appearances of the 2009 Mendocino Stories & Music Series on Friday & Saturday, March 6 & 7 at 7:30pm at the Hill House in Mendocino. Join local Hit and Runners and musical accompanist Laura Derry in The Return of Hit and Run, for two evenings of improvised fun, games and stories. Doors will open at 6:30PM for bistro menu and full bar.
     



MARCH 21 & 22

FORT BRAGG, Calif. –— Microbrew tasting and whale watching will be the featured attractions of the 26th Annual Fort Bragg Whale Festival March 21st and 22nd.

Along with dozens of microbrews provided by the Fort Bragg Rotary Club, the area’s top chefs will produce their favorite chowders. A marine mammal art exhibit and crafts fair are also part of the two-day festival.

With some 20,000 gray whales migrating north from birthing grounds in Mexico to their winter home in Alaska, there will be plenty of whales to view from the Pomo Bluffs Park in Fort Bragg and miles of beaches in MacKerricher State Park just north of the city.

Major events include:

  • Jughandle Creek Nature Center on-site naturalist will set up guided whale watching walks by reservations and will provide spotting scopes and educational materials. Contact: Helene Chalfin, 964-4630 or email: jughandle@creek.org
     

  • Chowder Tasting at Town Hall, Saturday from 11am till the chowder runs out,  $10. Corner of Main (Hwy 1) & Laurel St. in Fort Bragg. T-shirts and tote bags available during this event. Get there early to avoid long lines for chowder!
     

  • 25th Annual Whale Run and Walk
    Saturday March 21, 2009
    8:30am Start Time
    10k/5k Run, 5K Competitive Walk
    5K Fun Walk
    More Info
     
     

  • Many California State Parks activities at MacKerricher State Park, Point Cabrillo Light Station, and Mendocino Headlands State Park. Click Here for press release PDF.
     

  • Whale Cruises from Noyo Harbor. Call Chamber for referrals, (707) 961-6300
     

  • Lighthouse Activities and exhibits, Saturday and Sunday from 10-4pm. See tide pool exhibits, lighthouse history, The Frolic shipwreck artifacts, learn from the Audubon Society and Marine Mammal Center of Sausalito, fun for the whole family! And don’t forget the whale watching. -  Click here for press release PDF.
     

  • Whale Walks at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens on Sat at 1pm, Hwy 1, Fort Bragg
     

  • Guided Whale Walks at MacKerricher State Park Saturday and Sunday, call 964-8898 for more information
     

  • 4th Annual Marine Art Exhibit at the Mendocino Art Center, featuring the original work of late, honored marine artist JD Mayhew and others, Saturday and Sunday from 10-4pm, located on Little Lake St., Mendocino
     

  • Whale Watching by Horseback, call Chamber of Commerce for referrals, 707-961-6300 between 9-5 on weekdays, 9-3 on Saturday
     

  • Microbrew Beer Tasting and Barbecue at Eagles Hall, Saturday only from 12-5 pm, $30
     

  • Comedian Stu Stuart is set to perform March 20&21 at 8pm in the Sequoia Room at North Coast Brewing Co. Tickets are $15 each and available at the brewery.
     

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