Here, find a curated list of the best food and drink events in Santa Cruz County for the coming week. At the top, I share my picks of unmissable local happenings.
This Saturday, welcome a new season at the Spring Fair, co-hosted by Santa Cruz Cider Co. and neighbor The Slough Brewing Collective in Watsonville. It will be an afternoon of great music, local art vendors and draft beer and cider, with food by My Mom’s Mole. Admission is free, and a raffle will be held to fundraise for the Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter.
If Easter is less about the bunny and more about the brunch, head to a special Easter Brunch at Fruition Brewing in Watsonville on Sunday for a springtime feast featuring the best of the best local goodness. Expect a menu that includes chewy bagels by Laundromat SF (previously Holey Roller) loaded with cold-smoked Santa Cruz Fish Co. salmon and organic veggies; Garden Variety Cheese Co. yogurt parfaits; and huevos rancheros and quiches with pasture-raised eggs, plus fresh-squeeze mimosas, beer-mosas, micheladas and boozy breakfast slushies.
Friday, March 29
- Mestiza Pop-Up at Venus Spirits | 5 – 8 p.m. @ Venus Spirits tasting room
Saturday, March 30
- Agricultural History Project: Easter on the Farm | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. @ Agricultural History Project
- Cesar Chavez Day Celebration | Noon – 6 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Barrios Unidos
- Spring Fair | 3 – 6 p.m. @ Santa Cruz Cider Co.
- SOUP 4 YU | 4 – 9:30 p.m. @ Shanty Shack Brewing
Sunday, March 31
- Easter brunch at Fruition Brewing | 11 a.m. – 3 p.m. (ish) @ Fruition Brewing
Thursday, April 4
- Cubby Conversations: Destined for Grapeness | 6 – 7:30 p.m. @ Margins Wine Cubby | $35