Once again I have been seeking out activities, opportunities and events that can be found “only in Napa.” Summertime is packed in the Napa Valley beginning every year the first few days of June with the herald of the season, Auction Napa Valley! For me it’s “auction time” that makes me feel like summer has truly arrived.
There are plenty of live, outdoor music opportunities that begin this month up and down the valley, and last nearly all summer long. There are also a couple of very special, and historic, cemetery walking tours in the valley this month. Who says there’s nothing but wine and food in Napa?! Locals have the rare benefit of experiencing Napa County unlike others, so become involved either as a supporter, participant, spectator or volunteer. Here are my top “only in Napa Valley” opportunities in which to indulge, contribute, or become a part, for June!
Napa City Nights Concerts
Friday, June 3
Then every Friday through August 26
One of the most enjoyable, and free, warm weather traditions is the the weekly live music offered in the Veterans Memorial Park Amphitheater in Downtown Napa at the corner of Third & Main Streets every Friday Night beginning at 6:30 p.m. Napa City Nights books a wide array of mostly Bay Area-based bands that run the gamut from Jazz to Rock to Country to World to Blues to Pop and Folk. Located along the Napa Riverwalk Promenade, this built-in concert venue is close to so many of our locally-favorite restaurants, tasting rooms and (dare I say it?) watering holes. It is also an easy spot to get to via Uber, public transit, or drive on down as there is plenty of free public parking nearby. I like to gather a crowd, grab a stack of blankets, pack a picnic dinner to share and enjoy the evening. This is a budget- and family-friendly outing that anyone can enjoy. NapaCityNights.com
Napa Live: Inside & Out
Sunday, June 5
One day, 40 bands situated within multiple indoor and outdoor venues, ALL in Downtown Napa for FREE from 12:00 noon to 6:00 p.m. That’s Napa Live Inside & Out, a music crawl featuring 40 bands at 30 locations, some inside and some outside, all within walking distance. Artists will range in style from Rock, to Bluegrass, to Funk to Reggae and more. Food and beverages will be available for purchase at select locations which should make it easy to shop, nibble, drink and dance the afternoon away. For a map of venues and list of artists, visit DoNapa.com.
Yountville Pool Opens
Saturday, June 11
Splash it up this summer at the Yountville Community Pool. This gem of a cool-yourself-off resource, and I would even venture to claim that it’s the Napa Valley’s favorite community pool, opens for the season on Saturday, June 11. Scheduled activities, such as adult-only senior swim and lap sessions, as well as resident and family nights, and a special teen pool party are all set for the season. Daily and season passes are available for purchase. Visit the “Parks & Recreation” section of the website at TownOfYountville.com.
Harms Vineyards & Lavender Fields Annual Lavender Open House
Saturday, June 18
I believe that I may have discovered one of Napa’s best-kept secrets with the Harms Vineyards & Lavender Fields. In addition to growing grapes, Harms farms biodynamic, organic lavender right here in the Napa Valley. Once per year, they open the gates for a free Open House event at the property on Dry Creek Road. The day will include inspiring lectures, tours of the organic, biodynamic ranch, and samples of delicious lavender treats. Guests are encouraged to bring a picnic blanket and relax by the blooming lavender. For details visit HarmsLavender.com.
Yountville Father’s Day Festivities & Car Show
Sunday, June 19
Don’t miss the free 26th Annual Father’s Day Invitational Auto Show at V Marketplace from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Every year the Napa Valley proudly welcomes car connoisseurs locally and from around the Bay Area. The vehicles on display are top-notch as all Auto Show Auto entries are by invitation. From the national champions, to the local favorites, to the one-of-a-kind collector curiosities, more than 150 early and late model autos spanning nearly 100 years of production will be on display at this non-competitive, open-class invitational exhibition. Whether nostalgia means rolling down the road in a classic 1928 Model A Phaeton, sliding into the drive-in with a ‘57 Chevy, or cruising the fast lane in a Ferrari, this show-stopping collection presents some of the finest autos to grace the highway in any era, and is the perfect Father’s Day outing. VMarketplace.com
Napa Valley Film Festival
November 9-13 | Seeks Volunteers
There are plenty of gratifying and entertaining ways to give back in our community, and volunteering for the Napa Valley Film Festival is another way to enjoy the process of paying it forward. The 2016 festival is set for November 9-13, but the army of 600+ volunteers needed to pull off this mega-event is being assembled right now. Help is needed before the festival begins. Volunteer opportunities range from working at theater venues, special events, box offices, wine tasting pavilions and festival offices. The festival also needs volunteers to drive VIPs, work in filmmaker and sponsor hospitality and assist the programming and administrative departments. The volunteer director is Debbie Young. For more information visit NVFF.org, call 226-7500 or to sign up go to ShiftBoard.com/NVFF/register.
Calistoga Concerts in the Park
Thursday, June 23 Then every Thursday until August 25
For ten weeks of live music, wine and outdoor, hot-summer-night community fun head on up to Calistoga! Every Thursday night beginning on June 23, the community will gather at Pioneer Park on Cedar Street for a free concert. Groups of friends and families kick-back on blankets or bring chairs and picnic dinners. While these are family-friendly events, adult beverages are allowed (21 and over) and local wines will be available for purchase. Boxed “to go” dinners will also be available at several nearby restaurants including Brannan’s Grill, Buster’s BBQ, Checkers, Mary’s Home Plate Cafe and Cal Mart. For more information and the season line-up go to VisitCalistoga.com.
Yountville Pioneer Cemetery Tour
Saturday, June 25 The Napa Valley Museum presents the Yountville Pioneer Cemetery Tour on Saturday, June 25 at 10:00 a.m. Ideal for history buffs, this tour will be led by California Mountain Man and Cemetery President, Lee Hart. Attendees will learn all about the founders of the town of Sebastopol, later renamed Yountville in honor of George Yount. Beginning with the Wappo Native Americans and then ranging from members of the Donner Party to the monumental gravesite of George Yount himself, the walk will include accounts of the lives and deaths of the citizens who helped form the historic town. Pre-paid reservations are required, go to NapaValleyMuseum.org for tickets.
Throughout the year I will continue to search for “only in Napa Valley” opportunities in which to indulge, contribute, or become a part. Feel free to send suggestions to lisa@adamswalter.com.