78 Years in the Making: The Evolution of the Lodi Grape Festival

By Copper Williams

Grape Fest

The Lodi Grape Festival is back and ready to remind us of our vineyard roots! For nearly 80 years, San Joaquinians have gathered to celebrate the area’s grape harvest at this annual festival. It’s humble beginings as a small food festival in downtown Lodi has evolved into the four-day event we love and anticipate each year. Come September 17th to the 20th, the fairgrounds will be transformed, offering attendees an agricultural wonderland. Enjoy an amazing assemblage of artists on stage, featuring Shane Dwight on Thursday, Joe Diffie on Friday and Foghat on Saturday. Wrapping up this spectacular weekend will be Pablo Cruise on Sunday! Sample some of Lodi’s best wines in the cool comfort of the Ole Mettler Grape Pavilion. This year, the festival will be hosting nine major wineries to sip your way through, with an entrance fee of only $10. Don’t forget to pick up your very own commemorative wine glass!

Immerse yourself in the many exhibits that surround the festival and learn a thing or two about our agricultural community! Food vendors will gather from all four corners of San Joaquin County to offer up the very best cuisine, so arrive with an empty stomach! When you’re in the mood for a little adventure, stop at the Lodi Serpentarium booth to experience hands-on education at its finest! Then, drop in to check out some of your animal ambassadors at the Walk on the Wild Side Park, hosting a plethora of promising photo opportunities with exotic wildlife! This is just a taste of this year’s festivities….see you there!

 

PREPARE FOR FUN AT:

The Lodi Grape Festival

September 17-20

413 E. Lockford St., Lodi

(209) 369-2771

GrapeFestival.com