Six don’t-miss Sonoma County festivals

April is known for several things: the deadline for federal income tax (April 18 this year); a little rain (“April showers, May flowers,” and the start of the annual festival season.

Oh, you thought you had until early summer to think about this? No, the festivals start rolling out next week. Here’s a quick look at half a dozen local favorites coming up this month.

APRIL 9

Battle of the Brews. Now that Wine Country is also justly famed as Beer Country, the 20th annual event promises to bigger than ever with a full day of beer and food tastings and pairings, a professional brewers’ competition and more. 1-8 p.m. $50-$95. Sonoma County Fairgrounds, 1350 Bennett Valley Road, Santa Rosa. 545-4200, battleofthebrews.com.

APRIL 9-10

Bodega Bay Fisherman’s Festival. The high point is the Sunday morning “Blessing of the Fleet” ceremony, but there is plenty to do all weekend, with good food, and art show, craft booths, live music, special beers and wine tasting. $12; $10 for seniors; $20 for a two-day pass.; 12 and younger free. Westside Regional Park, 2400 Westshore Road, Bodega Bay. Bbfishfest.org.

APRIL 16-17

Apple Blossom Festival. The classic, old-fashioned parade down Sebastopol’s Main Street on the first day of this two-day celebration is its signature event but there’s plenty to keep people around, with food, drink, the crafts and entertainment, including the live “Blues Explosion” concerts the second day. Ives Park, 7400 Willow St., and Sebastopol Center for the Arts, 282 High St., Sebastopol. 823-3031, appleblossomfest.com.

APRIL 16-17

April in Carneros. For two days, you can go roaming through Carneros, the region that bridges Sonoma and Napa counties, enjoying open house events at numerous wineries. Take advantage of food and wine pairings, live entertainment, and barrel, reserve and vertical wine tastings. carneroswineries.org.

APRIL 23

Butter & Egg Days Parade & Festival. The 35th annual parade steps off at noon in downtown Petaluma, as the city celebrates its rich agricultural heritage. The festival opens at 10 a.m. with food, arts and crafts vendors, informational booths and more. Highlights include the Cutest Chick Contest for kids and the Cow Chip Throwing Contest. Free. 762-9348, petalumadowntown.com.

APRIL 23-24

Passport to Dry Creek Valley. More than 45 wineries throughout the Dry Creek Valley to offer top wines, gourmet food and live entertainment. Two-day passport, $135; Sunday only, $75. Introduced last year, the Passport Prelude event on April 22 allows guests to choose a vineyard tour and lunch or a winemaker dinner. 433-3031, drycreekvalley.org.

You can reach staff writer Dan Taylor at 521-5243 or dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com. On Twitter @danarts.