Annual Taste of the Valley Festival returning Sept. 10-12 in Yerington

An annual festival that celebrates art and agricultural life found in Mason and Smith valleys is returning Sept. 10-12 at the Jeanne Dini Center, 120 N. California St. in Yerington.

Yerington Theatre for the Arts’ sixth annual Taste of the Valley Festival showcases local foods, arts, music, culture and tradition. The three-day event includes a street festival, art show, farm-to-fork dinners, dutch oven demonstrations, a home brewing competition and music.

The event opens Sept. 10 when amateur cooks will vie for cash prizes by making their best salsa with local produce in Yerington Theatre for the Arts’ gallery, where local artists will also show their best interpretation in art of agriculture. Appetizers, including Nevada craft beers, wine and salsa, will be served.

Yerington Theatre for the Arts will carry on the Jeanne and Joe Dini tradition of welcoming guests to Mason Valley by preparing a ravioli dinner. The menu offers a roasted garlic appetizer made with Snyder onions; a hearts of romaine salad made with heirloom tomatoes from Nevada Fresh Pak; and ravioli prepared by Mayor George Dini. Drinks, dessert and dancing under the stars to music by Colin Ross.

Saturday’s events include a street festival during the day and the Agri Gala Farm-to-Fork dinner on Saturday night. The street festival will offer local music, a home brew contest, food trucks, and a kid’s zone.

The Yerington Chamber Car Show will also be on Saturday, as well as dutch oven demonstrations by the Dutch Oven Diva, who will use locally grown ingredients.

The festival will be wrapped up with a performance by Moondog Matinee, a Reno band.

Admission prices vary. A complete schedule is at YeringtonARTS.org.

For more information about the festival and sponsorship and vendor opportunities, go to YeringtonARTS.org, or call 775-463-1783. The festival is on Facebook at facebook.com/YTAtasteFestival.