Fall in Visalia goes beyond pumpkin spice and festive hayrides with three authentic festivals, each giving a “taste” of the San Joaquin Valley’s rich cultural and artistic heritage. There’s no better way to experience local food, art and contemporary music than in the heart of Visalia at Taste of Downtown, Taste the Arts and the Tastemakers Festival this October.
Taste of Downtown is happening Oct. 8 from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and is open to all ages. Tickets start at $45. The annual event maps out a journey to explore local food establishments in downtown Visalia. Nearly 30 restaurants and food vendors are participating this year, each offering a literal “taste” of their signature dishes or a completely new concoction. Designated wine and beer stops are included to accent the food and experience. The event, in its 26th year, is designed to share the local food scene and engage visitors with new restaurants and old favorites. Learn more at this link.
Taste the Arts, presented by the Arts Consortium, is free to the public and takes place Oct. 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The 10th annual Taste the Arts is the Central Valley’s largest outdoor art festival featuring more than 100 artists and workshops.
The Central Valley is known for the diverse crops it produces – that agricultural diversity attracts a broad spectrum of cultures to this region. Taste the Arts creates a platform for artists to share their culture through their work.
Two packed stages will feature musical acts, dance troupes and cultural performers, and a variety of artwork will fill the streets. Visitors can participate in aerosol art and printmaking workshops or get messy in the Visalia Farmers Market “Fun with Food” sculpture contest, a crowd favorite. Find more details on Taste the Arts here.
For the first time, organizers with Taste the Arts and Tastemakers Festival are working together to deliver visual arts and the sound of music to Visalia’s downtown arts district on the same day.
The 6th annual Tastemakers Festival, one of the San Joaquin Valley’s most eclectic music and arts festivals, begins immediately after Taste the Arts on Oct. 19, from 4 to 10 p.m. Aspiring musicians, some as young as 7 years old, will perform alongside emerging artists in the music industry at the Lumberyard. This year’s lineup includes: SNV Band, The Box, The Charities, Brim, Call Me James and PIMS.
The Tastemakers Festival is a free event that began as a fundraiser through the Sound N Vision Foundation, a nonprofit for promoting culturally diverse, creative events around Visalia, as well as exposing and developing musical talent among local youth. To learn more about Tastemakers Festival, click here.
As a city that adorns its streets, buildings and fire hydrants in artistic expression, Visalia comes to life celebrating diverse artists and cuisines. Come visit this October and taste all that Visalia has to offer.
Looking for more on your trip? Take advantage of these half day tour ideas to explore this vibrant city. Discover downtown Visalia on a walking tour, catch a game at Rawhide Stadium, explore the Sequoia National Forest by horseback – experience Visalia your way and get the most out of your trip this fall.
