GATHERING APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL FUNDRAISER

Yvonne Lane and Jeff Alegria, left, dance to live music at HopMonk Tavern during a fundraiser benefiting the Apple Blossom Festival in Sebastopol on Feb. 22.

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Anna Jae sings at HopMonk Tavern during the Apple Blossom Festival fundraiser in Sebastopol on Feb. 22.

Myriah Volk, left, executive director of the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce, talks with a guest on Feb. 22 during the fundraiser at HopMonk Tavern in Sebastopol.

The band Weekend at Bernie’s performs at HopMonk Tavern on Feb. 22 during a fundraiser benefiting the Apple Blossom Festival in Sebastopol. Photos by Beth Schlanker — The Press-Democrat

Raffle prizes at the Apple Blossom Festival fundraiser.

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By Dan Taylor

dan.taylor@pressdemocrat.com

More than 250 music fans crowded into HopMonk Tavern on Feb. 22, raising more than $4,000 for Sebastopol’s annual Apple Blossom Festival and its sponsor, the Sebastopol Chamber of Commerce.

Eight local acts — David Luning, Bring Joy featuring Jason Beard, The Pulsators, Freestone Peaches, Marshall House Project, Weekend at Bernie’s, and Anna Jae and the Love Choir — took turns onstage while supporters mingled, danced and browsed raffle prizes near the bar.

“People came out to support us and have a good time,” said Myriah Volk, the chamber’s executive director. “I am grateful to live in a community where people support the festival.”

This year marks the 80th annual Sebastopol Apple Blossom Festival, themed “Blossoms of Oz.” The celebration opens April 25 with the city’s parade and continues April 26 with two days of live music and community events.

Founded to herald the arrival of spring and Sonoma County’s apple harvest, the festival began as a fundraiser for the chamber and still serves that role.

Proceeds help finance programs supporting local businesses, Volk said, including movie nights, sidewalk sales and the annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony.

She added that the chamber works with Sonoma County Tourism to promote Sebastopol at the Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport and in regional visitors centers.

General admission tickets go on sale March 1 at appleblossomfest.com/tickets. Presale tickets are $12 for adults and $10 for students and seniors; tickets purchased at the gate will cost $15 for adults and $12 for students and seniors. Admission is free for children 5 and younger.