Novato Festival of Art, Wine & Music

It’s hard to decide what is the best part of the 27th Annual Novato Festival of Art, Wine & Music — the music, the wine or both. You also can’t forget the wide variety of arts and crafts booths that take hours and hours to browse through. But this year two guitar greats are going to rock the festival: Ronnie Montrose and Robben Ford. So the music will be hard to ignore!

The free festival is set for Saturday, June 12, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday, June 13, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. It features 200 arts and crafts booths, food vendors, a premium wine garden, kids’ area and live music.

Produced by the Novato Chamber of Commerce and presented by Pacific Gas Electric Company, the two-day event continues at its Grant Avenue location, downtown between Redwood Boulevard and Seventh Street. The green emphasis continues with recycling containers provided and sorted by the Conservation Corps North Bay, as well as bike valet parking by Sustainable Novato that will be located near the main stage.

More than 35 wineries are participating, pouring a wide selection of varietals, including: Jacella of Novato, and Homefire and Paradise View, both from Sonoma.

The purchase of a commemorative wine or beer glass for $5 is required to drink the alcoholic beverages purchased at the festival. Ghirardo CPA, Burr Pilger Mayer, Inc., and Moylan’s Brewery, Inc. are sponsoring the glasses this year.

The arts and crafts booths will feature vendors from all over the country, displaying fine arts, home décor, jewelry, pottery and more.

The Prado Group Kiddie Park will include a variety of fun activities for children including: a train ride, art projects, a climbing wall, petting zoo, dunk tank and jumbo slides. The area will be located at the former site of Pini Hardware.

Besides Montrose and Ford, the music line-up on the main stage includes: Micky & The Motorcars, Who Too, the 85s, Learning Curve, Living Proof, Crystal Brunelle, Third Rail, Linda Imperial, The Pine Needles, Lansdale Station, and the Seven Zins.

The second, more intimate stage, located on Seventh Street, will feature: Tia Caroll & Hard Work, joined by Big Cat Toll Free and Friends, Zebop!, Family Lines, The Indestructables, and the Ben Luis Group. Love 2 Dance will also share some of its dance moves.

Headliner Montrose is a rock legend, with heavy metal hits, such as “Rock Candy,” “Bad Motor Scooter” and “Rock the Nation. Ronnie Montrose is still the star of the band. Sammy Hagar was a former member before pursuing other acts. Lead singer Keith St. John joins Montrose.

Ford is a premiere electric guitarist known for his dynamic blues playing. He joined Beatle George Harrison on one of his tours and also played with Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell, Bonnie Rait and others.

Micky and the Motorcars come to Novato from Texas, where the alt-country five-piece band has a huge following. They sing songs such as “Long Enough” to “Leave” and “Naive.”

Many of the other acts are local favorites including The 85’s, a ‘80s tribute band; Who too, a Who tribute band; and Landsdale Station, with its unique San Francisco sound.

Familiar fair food will abound with treats such as gyros, calamari, kettle corn, pizza, hamburgers and tri-trip and pulled pork sandwiches.

No pets or smoking are allowed at the event due to Novato city ordinance. The Ignacio Rotary Club is providing parking, as well as handicapped spaces.

Chamber and service group volunteers largely staff the festival. Volunteers are always needed. The event is the primary fundraiser for the chamber, allowing the organization to offer its services to the community.

For more information about the festival, or to volunteer, call 415-897-1164. Additional information can also be found online at www.novatochamber.com. The festival is also on Facebook for the first time so sign up to receive the latest news.