Taking a Taste of Petaluma

Take a culinary tour of more than 50 of Petaluma’s food, wine and beer purveyors at the ninth annual Taste of Petaluma, to be held downtown from 11:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Aug. 23.

“We have 54 locations and more than 100 participants and 85 musicians this year,” said event organizer Laura Sunday. “A new record for the event, it’s up from 37 locations last year.”

The eating extravaganza begins with participants picking up their package of 10 tasting tickets and a map in Helen Putnam Plaza. It’s up to participants to figure out where they want to go and how to map out their dining tour.

For example, Taste of Petaluma participants can start the day with an appetizer of smoked salmon on pumpernickel with Nicasio Valley Foggy Morning Cheese from the Wine Bar, then sample Bonterra Wine, followed by Rosso’s pork and veal Rosso meatballs with smoked tomato sauce, housemade straciatella cheeses, then finish off at Powell’s with some gelato.

There will also be samplings for vegetarians, including vegan veggie burger bites with green goddess sauce, purple goddess beet salad, cashew “cheez” and kalamata olives on cucumber slices and veggie hummus on cucumber slices by Lydia’s Lovin’ Foods and Lydia’s Sunflower Center.

In between tastings, guests can receive a 10- to 15-minute chair massage from National Holistic Institute and some organic ice cream by Three Twins Ice Cream, all hosted by Yoga One.

Zodiac’s will have live music all day and will host an after party at 4 p.m with music and food. Sponsors of this year’s Taste are East Washington Place and Celebrity Cruises.

The event is a fundraiser for Cinnabar Theater. Tickets are $40 for 10 tastings. Extra tickets are $4 each.

For details and to purchase tickets, visit tasteof petaluma.org or call 763-8920.