🌱 Future Farmers Preview + Ag Worker Protest + See Inside New Campo

Hello, friends! It's me, Simone, your host of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter. Let's kick off this beautiful weekend with a quick review of what's happening in town, shall we?

But first, your weekend weather:

• Friday: Mostly sunny and very warm. High: 86 Low: 48.
• Saturday: Clouds turning to sun. High: 81 Low: 49.
• Sunday: Clouds turning to sun again. High: 83 Low: 51.

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Here are the top 4 stories in Healdsburg today:

1. Can't believe it's already Future Farmers parade and fair time again in Healdsburg! The theme this year, for the event's 75th year, is a real classic: "Red, White, and Blue - Animal Jamboree." As is tradition, the Twilight Parade through town will kick off our big ag-filled weekend at 6 p.m. next Thursday, May 25. "The parade route starts near St. John's Church on East and Matheson St., turning right onto Center St. and continuing to Piper St., then heading south on Fitch St., turning onto Matheson St. and ending on University," according to the city. And, as is tradition, everyone from the parade will pile into Rec Park that night to kick off the Future Farmers Country Fair, which is open until 10:30 p.m. each night through Saturday. "Enjoy games, food, animals, a circus, and more!" the city says. "Support local students exhibiting their agricultural projects that they have been working on in their FFA and 4-H clubs. The livestock auction begins at 4:00 PM on Saturday. Bring the whole family for this fun-filled weekend!" (City of Healdsburg & HealdsburgFair.org & Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair via Facebook)

2. If you see a big mob of foodies and winos in town this weekend, that's because it's the annual Healdsburg Wine & Food Festival — expected to draw up to 2,000 visitors from around the world, many paying ticket prices in the thousands. They all plan to gather in the plaza Saturday afternoon for a "Grand Tasting Experience." And if you see a group of protesters marching over to the plaza from Giorgi Park that same day, that's because a group of ag workers is using all the hubbub to demand disaster pay from the local wineries and farms that employ them. North Bay Jobs With Justice, the Sonoma County org helping plan the protest, writes on Twitter: "While the Sonoma County wine industry is charging $3,900 tickets to celebrate the “makers behind the magic” at the Healdsburg Food & Wine Experience, the farmworkers whose labor makes it all possible will be marching for DISASTER PAY!" You can find out more here. (WineBusiness.com & Ozzy Jimenez via Instagram & North Bay Jobs With Justice via Twitter & Nextdoor & Nextdoor)
3. Have you heard about the new four-story, 16-room boutique hotel that the owner of three other fancy Healdsburg hotels wants to build in the parking lot next to John & Zeke's? The Piazza Hospitality company — which already owns Hotel Healdsburg, h2hotel and Harmon Guest House — has proposed this fourth hotel, called "HH Residence Hotel," at the corner of North Street and Healdsburg Avenue. Much like their other hotels down the road, this one would also include courtyards, a "semi enclosed plaza," a pool area, a restaurant and street-level shops, the plans say. Also: "The on-site parking garage will accommodate spaces for 34 cars, with valet service, provided by a parking lift system (similar to Harmon Guest House)." For those who have opinions or want to learn more, the city's planning commission is holding public hearing next Tuesday evening on the flashy proposal for 400 Healdsburg Ave. You can attend in person at City Hall or on Zoom. My friends and I have been joking that the only way we'll support it is if they build a slide from the hotel into John & Zeke's... (City of Healdsburg & City of Healdsburg via Facebook)

4. And finally, half a block south, an update on the most anticipated Healdsburg restaurant opening in recent history: Molti Amici, the casual Italian restaurant taking the place of local institution Campo Fina at 330 Healdsburg Ave. When Campo closed last fall to the horror of the community, a group of Healdsburg restaurant people decided to reboot the concept under a new name. Owner Jonny Barr, formerly of SingleThread, just gave an exciting tour of the gutted-out space to the woman who runs the Shop Local Healdsburg blog. Here's what she saw: "The interior space facing Healdsburg Ave, is currently undergoing some custom/bespoke mill work with light flooring and will likely open later than their back patio. The interior bar will only open at night with a pasta window like Troubadour Bread, to allow guests to view their chefs hard at work saucing pastas to perfection 🍝 💯 The space is taking on a Wes Anderson meets Sonoma vibe — modern, quirky, playful, and above all, a feast 👀 ☺️ for all the senses (and our stomachs) — a hot new take on what Italian casual dining can be. Will the coveted HILO burgers (pop-up burgers masterminded by Barr) make an appearance? 🍔 YES! But only for lunch. The cocktails served and wine were equally incredible as the food served 🚀 With executive chefs and husband and wife duo Melissa Yanc and Sean McGaughey at the helm too — we’re full on excited for what this summer will bring in Healdsburg soon!" (Shop Local Healdsburg via Instagram)

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This weekend in Healdsburg:

Friday, May 19

• LandPaths Hosts "Let's Pull Broom" Event at Fitch Mountain Open Space Preserve (9AM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Horn Barbecue Lunch & Private Vineyard Tour at Dutton Ranch (12-4:30PM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Champagne & Caviar Seminar at Harmon Guest House (4-5:30PM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Craft Cocktails at Lo & Behold (4-7PM)
• Jeff Pierce Jazz Quartet Live at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• Alexander Valley Film Society (AVFilm) Hosts "Jaws" Film Screening on the Lake at The Vineyard Club in Geyserville (6PM)
• Play at the Raven Theater: "Noel Coward's Hay Fever" (May 19-20, 7:30PM)
• Tom Petty Tribute Band "Petty Theft" Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-11PM)
• Johnny Mojo & Friends Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

Saturday, May 20

• Garage Sale & VAMOS Fundraiser at 715 College St. (May 20-21, 7AM-3PM)
• Healdsburg Farmers Market in the West Plaza Parking Lot (8:30AM-12PM)
• Clean-Up Day at Oak Mound Cemetery (8:30AM-12PM)
• Healdsburg Center for the Arts Hosts "Landscape and Memory: Painting en Plein Air" Art Class at Riverfront Regional Park (May 20-21, 9AM-4PM)
• Getaway Adventures Hosts Bike & Kayak Sale (May 20-21, 9AM-5PM)
• Free Document Shredding Truck Parked Outside the Healdsburg Library (10AM-12PM)
• Vineyard & Garden Hike With Lunch at Chalk Hill Estate (Monthly, May 20-July 15, 10AM-1PM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Celebrity Chef Culinary Demonstrations at The Matheson (10AM-5PM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Wine & Spirits Seminars at Harmon Guest House, h2 Hotel (11AM-4:30PM)
• Dot Wine Hosts Spring Release Party at Bacchus Landing (12-4PM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: Vintners Plaza Grand Tasting Experience in the West Plaza Parking Lot, Featuring Live Music, 100+ Wines & "Bites Prepared by Local & International Chefs" (12:30-4:30PM)
• Ag Worker March From Giorgi Park to the Plaza to Demand Disaster Pay (2PM)
• Free Live Music by Tarweed at Davis Family Vineyards (3-6PM)
• Maddie & Tae Concert at Rodney Strong Vineyards (5-8PM)
• Ken Cook Trio Plays Live Jazz at Hotel Healdsburg (6-9PM)
• Bee-Inspired Dinner at Preston Farm & Winery (5:30-8:30PM)
• Whiskey & Honey Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-11PM)
• Marshall House Project Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)
• Healdsburg Wine & Food Experience: "The Magnum Party" at Bacchus Landing (8-11:45PM)

Sunday, May 21

• Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair Hosts Horse Show at Hoofbeat Park on Dry Creek Road (8:30AM)
• Free "Choral Evensong" Concert at St. Paul's Church, Featuring Pipe Organ & Choir (5PM)

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That's all for now! But don't worry, I'll be back soon with more... 😎

— Simone Wilson

About me: I was born and raised in Healdsburg, CA, where I was the editor of the Healdsburg High School Hound's Bark. I have since worked as a local journalist for publications in San Diego, Los Angeles, New York City and the Middle East. I'm currently a senior product manager for Patch.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Healdsburg Patch newsletter? Contact me at simone.wilson@patch.com