Ablaze with red and green lights, Christmas trees and all manner of decorations, a procession of rather unconventional vehicles will circle the city of Sonoma’s downtown plaza Saturday.
It’s the Second Annual Lighted Tractor Parade, also including grape harvesters and vintage trucks that will glide around Sonoma Plaza at Napa Street and Broadway around 6:30 p.m.
A tractor parade is a somewhat unexpected phenomenon, but fits well with the traditions of the Sonoma Valley, a member of a valley farming family said.
“At this time of year, generally speaking, grape harvest is complete for the Sonoma Valley,” said Taylor Serres Murnig, whose family grows wine grapes in the valley. “We’re celebrating all our hard work while ringing in the holiday season.”
Farmers, construction companies, vintage truck owners and others will bedeck their vehicles with strings of blinking lights, nativity scenes, deejays playing music and other amusements for the event. The Sonoma Valley Vintners & Growers Alliance and the city are the formal sponsors.
Serres Murnig said this is the 200th anniversary of grape growing in the Sonoma Valley. The valley is described by some as the birthplace of California’s wine industry and is home to some of the state’s earliest vineyards and wineries.
The event is free and open to the public.