Citrus Fair Has the Juice

Fest Keeps Quaint Cloverdale On The Map

By Christian Kallen

Healdsburg has its Future

Farmers Fair in May, Petaluma has the SonomaMarin Fair in June and Santa Rosa has the Sonoma County Fair in August. But for fans of Americana, the first one on the calendar, and perhaps the best, is the Cloverdale Citrus Fair this coming weekend.

It’s just 22 miles up Highway 101 to Cloverdale, where the 131st annual Citrus Fair takes over the town’s eponymous fairgrounds for four days of family activities. The fair was first established in

1892 to celebrate the citrus crop that was once a big part of northern Sonoma County agriculture.

While citrus production is no longer as widespread, the Citrus Fair goes on and keeps Cloverdale a magnet for family gatherings to hear music; take in agricultural, arts and crafts exhibits; ride the Ferris wheel; and enjoy the carnival atmosphere of small town California.

There’s a Senior Day (Friday, Feb. 17), a Parade Day (Feb. 18), a Family Day (Feb. 19) and of course a Kids Day (Monday, Feb. 20, a school holiday).

There’s even a Battle of the Bands on Sunday for local musicians, and a headliners concert in the auditorium on Saturday night, featuring Outlaw Mariachi from Los Angeles, also

My personal favorite thing about our fair is its uniqueness. It is the first fair of the year and one of two citrus fairs in the state of California. Our fair is built on support and community. All of our hard work for the past year is for you.

DYLAN DAVIS, CITRUS FAIR PRESIDENT

known as “Los Charros of Rock.”

“What a Wonderful World” is this year’s theme, expressing renewed optimism as the COVID pandemic recedes into history. Just last year, the Citrus

Fair was delayed from February into April, to avoid the winter pandemic closures. Its return to its traditional date is a welcome one for long-standing fair-goers.

“My personal favorite

THE RUSE PULLS ITS APPEAL OF CITY’S DENIAL

FUTURE OF ‘PRIVATE RECREATIONAL

PARK’ ON GROVE STREET IN DOUBT

By Christian Kallen

The owners of The Ruse, the luxury bed and breakfast formerly known as Honor Mansion, have withdrawn their appeal to the city council of the city’s denial of their proposed use for the three-acre property. The hearing had been anticipated to take place at the Feb. 21 meeting, but with their withdrawal, the city’s decision will stand. City Manager Jeff Kay confirmed the news Tuesday evening, Feb. 14.

thing about our fair is its uniqueness. It is the first fair of the year and one of two citrus fairs in the state of California,” said Dylan Davis, the Citrus

Initial efforts to contact their lawyer, Erin Carlstrom of Clement, Fitzpatrick & Kenworthy, were unsuccessful. Her letter to the city, delivered late on Tuesday, read, “On behalf of my client, 891 Grove Street, LLC (‘Applicant/Appellant’), and its appeal of the Planning Commission’s Decision of October 25, 2022, Applicant/Appellant have (sic) elected to withdraw its appeal in this matter.”

The letter was addressed to Scott Duiven, the city’s community development director, and copied by email to all members of the Healdsburg City Council. No further explanation was proffered.

The directors of the LLC now include brothers Patrick and Jonathan Wilhelm, whose family owns the Mayacama Golf Club in Santa Rosa, and an agent, Levi White. Silicon

A Calendar Of Upcoming Events In Healdsburg

Family Dance

Healdsburg Elementary School (HES) students and parents of both the HES and Fitch Mountain campuses are invited for a night of music, dancing and family togetherness, Friday, Feb. 17. Held at Healdsburg High, 6-8pm; $10 requested donation gets the whole family in. Free refreshments and family photos.

Teen Sensation

Gas Money is a group of teens ages 16-19, hailing