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MARCH 6 & 7

MENDOCINO, Calif. — Wine tasting and whale watching will be the featured attractions of the 28th Annual Mendocino Whale Festival March 6th and 7th 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’s shops-Saturday only 12-4pm, $30. Register at Welcome Centers: Crown Hall-Main St, the Ford House-Main St. Event brochures, t-shirts and totes available. 21 & over only.
    Participating Wineries
    Barra of Mendocino, Claudia Springs, Esterlina Vineyards, Frey Vineyards, Goldeneye Winery, Graziano Family of Wines, Handley Cellars, Husch Vineyards, Jeriko Estates, McNab Ridge Winery, Meyer Family Cellars, Navarro Vineyards, Neese Vineyards, Philo Ridge Vineyard, Simaine Cellars, Terra Salvia, Weibel Winery, Zina Hyde Cunningham.
     

  • Chowder Tasting in Crown Hall, Saturday from 11am-till the chowder runs out, $10 allows you to taste each participant. 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.
     

  • 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, 10am-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. Weather permitting, Docents will also lead walks to nearby Frolic Cove and relate the story of the Boston Owned Clipper Brig “Frolic”, wrecked off the cove in July 1850, bound from China to San Francisco with a valuable cargo of Chinese merchandise for the Gold Rush miners and their families. Parking $3
     

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

  • 6th 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.



     

MARCH 20 & 21

FORT BRAGG, Calif. –— Microbrew tasting and whale watching will be the featured attractions of the 28th Annual Fort Bragg Whale Festival March 20th and 21st.

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:

  • 14th Annual Fort Bragg Beer Festival on March 20th, 2010 at the historic Eagles Hall 210 N.Corry St. Microbrews come to Fort Bragg proudly serving award winning Belgians, Porters, Stouts, IPA'S, Ales and more. Beer novice or beer expert come experience beer like you never thought possible. Saturday only.
     

  • 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 allows you to taste all participants. 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!
     

  • Fish Dinner at Portuguese Hall.
    Bar opens at 4:00 p.m.
    Dinner Servings at 5:00, 6:00, 7:00 p.m.
    Tickets in advance $17
    Tickets at the door $20
    Contact Dolly Guisti (707)-964-4971 or Jose Ornelas (707) 964-0485 for more information
     

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

  • Lighthouse Activities and exhibits, Saturday and Sunday from 10am-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. Weather permitting, Docents will also lead walks to nearby Frolic Cove and relate the story of the Boston Owned Clipper Brig “Frolic”, wrecked off the cove in July 1850, bound from China to San Francisco with a valuable cargo of Chinese merchandise for the Gold Rush miners and their families.

     

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

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

  • 6th 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
     

  • 26th Annual Whale Run & Walk
    Saturday, March 20, 2010 - 8:30 am Start Time (In front of the Skunk Train Depot)
    W Laurel St - Pudding Crk Trestle - Haul Rd. Fort Bragg

    10k & 5k Run
    5k Competitive Walk
    5k Fun Walk

    Register:
    on-line at theschedule.com 
    mail form from SIFB website or brochure to PO Box 131, FB, 95437
    contact sifb@mcn.org or call 707 964-9551 (Register before 3/8/2010 to guarantee a t-shirt)
    on Fri 3/19, 5-8pm, FB Depot or 7-8:15am, Sat 3/20 at the race (W. Laurel St)

    Whale Run Raffle
    Win a night’s stay with an ocean view & dinner w/ wine for two at Little River Inn or a two nights stay at The Andiron
    Each a $300+ Value! • Need not be present to win
    Raffle tickets are: $5 each • $10/3 tickets • $20/7 tickets
    Raffle tickets available by contacting 964-4913 or sifb@mcn.org
    DRAWING at the 26th Annual Whale Run and Walk 3/20/2010
     

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