🌱 Tonight's Parade + SMART Train Update + Rain Barrel Auction

Hello again, friends! I'm here with your fresh copy of the Healdsburg Patch newsletter, filled with all the local information you need to know right now. In this issue, we'll touch on:

• What to know about the FFA parade through town this evening
• The SMART train's slow march north to Healdsburg
• Some colorful rain barrels being auctioned off by fifth graders
• How to get free leftover flowers this summer from Dragonfly Farms
• And more...

But first, your local weather:

• Thursday: Fog and clouds turning to sun. High: 73 Low: 52.
• Friday: Fog and clouds turning to sun again. High: 71 Low: 49.
• Saturday: Mostly sunny. High: 76 Low: 51.

From our sponsor:

Today’s Healdsburg Patch newsletter is brought to you in part by T-Mobile. T-Mobile has invested billions to light up their best network ever, covering 99% of people in America with LTE, which helps to keep communities like ours informed and connected. We thank T-Mobile for their support and for making today’s Healdsburg Patch newsletter possible.

Here are the top 3 stories today in Healdsburg:

1. At last, the big day has arrived! The opening event of the 74th Annual Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair — officially called the Twilight Parade, but perhaps better known as the FFA parade — kicks off this evening at 6 p.m. The theme this year is a real classic: "Red, White, and Blue - Animal Jamboree." Keep scrolling to see a map of the parade route from organizers, as well as a road closure diagram from the city. The parade "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 later tonight 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 Patch & Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair via Facebook & Press Democrat; paywall)

2. SMART train officials are forging ahead with plans to extend the existing 45-mile train track from Larkspur to the Sonoma County Airport another 20 miles or so to Healdsburg. They just dropped their proposed budget for the 2023-24 fiscal year, and plan to approve it (after collecting public comments) at their June 21 meeting. Here's what they're thinking, according to the Marin Independent Journal: "The $110 million that SMART plans to spend in the 2023-2024 fiscal year is a significant increase from the $77 million projected in this fiscal year. Most of the increase would be allotted for $41.6 million of rail and path construction projects beginning this year. The projects include an extension of rail service from Santa Rosa to Windsor, a rail extension from Windsor to Healdsburg and construction of a northern Petaluma station. The agency is also working to complete several new path segments in Marin and Sonoma counties." However, SMART is still reportedly "awaiting decisions on millions of dollars in grant funding requests" to secure another $30 million for the extension to Windsor — which they expect to complete in 2025 — and another $78 million for the Windsor-to-Healdsburg extension. Needless to say, it'll be a few years at least until the SMART train comes to town... (Marin Independent Journal & TRAINS Magazine & RailwayAge Magazine)
3. A beautiful batch of rain barrels painted by Healdsburg Elementary fifth graders are being auctioned off right now. Mr. Moon's on the plaza is displaying a few of them out front as well. Here's some more info from school officials on the project: "Water scarcity is a huge issue in California, and if we all make small changes to our water use, then we can help improve the outlook of the drought. By bidding on the rain barrel(s) of your choice, you will give yourself a chance to win a personalized rain barrel that will help in harvesting water for your own needs. All proceeds will go to supporting future 5th-grade class expenses for outdoor education." You can bid online or at Mr. Moon's. "Come on down to check them out and bid away!" store owners say. (32Auctions.com & Mr. Moon's via Facebook)

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Click here to see your business featured in this spot.

Healdsburg pic of the day:

Note from Simone: I love to feature great local pics in the newsletter! If you have one to share, you can submit it here for consideration. Please just confirm in your email that you took any photos you're sending, and that Patch has permission to republish them. Many thanks 📸

Coming up in Healdsburg:

Thursday, May 25

• Minimum Day at Healdsburg Schools (All Day)
• Artist Talk at the Upstairs Art Gallery Inside Levin & Company: "Healdsburg by Design: Fragments in Time" by Photographer Richard Hay Jr. (4-6PM)
• Oakville Grocery & Wine Merchant Host Pre-Parade Happy Hour (4-6PM)
• "The Great Raven Reveal": Raven Theater Announces 2023-24 Season at Free Event, Featuring Food, Drinks, Entertainment, Games, Prizes & Deals (5:30PM)
• Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair Hosts Twilight Parade (6-8PM)
• Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair Kickoff at Rec Park (6-10:30PM)
• Multi-Instrumentalist Female Producer Salami Rose Joe Louis Performs at Little Saint (7-9PM)
• Karaoke Night at Coyote Sonoma (Weekly, 7-10PM)

Friday, May 26

• "FFA Day" Holiday at Healdsburg Schools (All Day)
• Healdsburg Future Farmers Country Fair at Rec Park (May 26-27, 9AM-10:30PM)
• Adam Lieb Live at Davis Family Vineyards (3-6PM)
• Ruth Ahlers Jazz Trio Live at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• Friday Evening Wine & Song at Hudson Street Wineries, Featuring Rock Band Stragglerz (5-8PM)
• Play at the Raven Theater: "Noel Coward's Hay Fever" (May 26-27, 7:30PM)
• Comedy Night at Coyote Sonoma, Featuring Comedians Jalisa Robinson, Ben Feldman & Joe Klocek (8-10PM)
• Sweet N' Juicy Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-10PM)

Saturday, May 27

• Garage Sale at 241 Prune Tree Drive (7AM-1:30PM)
• Healdsburg Running Company Hosts Lake Sonoma Run, Featuring Chicken & Waffles (8AM)
• Healdsburg Farmers Market in the West Plaza Parking Lot (8:30AM-12PM)
• “Sip Of Wellness” Wine & Yoga at Rodney Strong Vineyard (11AM-1PM)
• Meet the Artist at the Upstairs Art Gallery Inside Levin & Company: “Water Songs” Oil & Watercolor Paintings by Marsha Connell (11AM-6PM)
• Spring Open House at Lo & Behold (1-5PM)
• Chip Boaz Jazz Trio Live at Furthermore Wines (5-8PM)
• SOLD OUT: Charles Lloyd & Gerald Clayton Duo Performs at THE 222 (7PM)
• Indie-Pop Band Lucius Live at Little Saint (8-10PM)
• Big Sandy & His Fly-Rite Boys Live at Coyote Sonoma (8-10PM)
• Sirsy Live at the Elephant in the Room (8-11PM)

From my notebook:

• Some big banners showing the faces of graduating Healdsburg High School seniors just went up on lampposts across the downtown area. Lookin' good, y'all... (Healdsburg Community Services via Facebook & Healdsburg Education Foundation via Facebook)
• Dragonfly Farms on Westside Road is going to be handing out free flowers on Sundays again this summer, according to Shop Local Healdsburg. They call the program “Lazy Sunday.” More info from Shop Local: "The flowers are remnants from orders that week, and it’s a program that they’re generously offering to the community which starts in June and ends in September. 'Lazy Sunday' picks-ups are at their farm from 9am - 5pm. You can also drop off your used vessel or pick-up containers they no longer need for free." (Shop Local Healdsburg via Instagram & Dragonfly Farms via Instagram)
• Starting one week from now, on June 1, the Fogbelt Station beer garden on Hudson Street will be serving coffee, pastries and other breakfast items in the mornings, from 7:30 a.m. to noon. They say: "Come start your summer days with us, we can’t wait to serve you!" (Fogbelt Station via Facebook)
• There's a new face on the Healdsburg police force: Officer Kale Donahoo, a veteran of the U.S. Air Force. He now begins field training in Healdsburg. And on the other end of her field training is Officer Bianca Reynoso, who now goes solo. "If you see her please say hello!" local police officials say. (Healdsburg Police Department via Facebook & Healdsburg Police Officers' Association via Facebook)
• A tiny terrier puppy was found running loose on Center Street this week. She's now being kept safe at the Healdsburg animal shelter. (Humane Society of Sonoma County via Facebook)

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OK, you're all caught up for today. Hope everyone enjoys the parade and fair this evening... maybe I'll see you there ☺️

— 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