Hold The Mayo! It's Mustard Festival Time!To understand the history behind the mustard flower is a lovely story to hear. Spanish priest, Father Junipero Serra had come from Spain to Mexico in the 1800's to spread his faith. There, he was told of a beautiful land to the north full of wildlife, grand trees and verdant valleys (Napa Valley). Serra knew that he must see this land and with the aid of some Native American guides, set out to explore the country to the north. Father Serra brought with him some Spanish Mustard seeds to scatter all along the path of his travels. When they returned south the following year, they followed a golden ribbon of bright mustard flowers that had sprung from the northern trek. This literal path of gold was where Father Serra established his well known “Rosary of Missions” which extends from San Diego to Sonoma Valley and is most surely why the state of California is genuinely covered with Spanish mustard in the spring. With the Napa Valley Mustard Festival it is the perfect time to celebrate the food, wine, art, and the rich agriculture and cultural bounty of Napa Valley! The Mustard festival just completed its thirteenth year this past March and is going strong. Whether you are looking for a bit of wine tasting, marathon running, fabulous photography exhibits, gourmet foods or just the appreciation of breathtaking Napa Valley in springtime, you will not be disappointed. This festival is world renowned and has grown hugely since its start in 1994. Its humble introduction drew only a few hundred patrons in contrast to today with thousands of tourists descending upon the valley to enjoy the bountiful pleasures of mind, palate and soul. The Napa Valley Mustard Festival is essentially a non-profit, county wide event benefiting many different organizations from health care to art in the schools, and has become integral to the support of many different commendable causes whether with local or national issues. It also has a dual purpose by serving local businesses and non-profit organizations by attracting tourists to Napa Valley during the not so busy travel months with the beautiful wild mustard flowers carpeting the lush landscape with dramatic colors of greens and gold’s; it also promotes national and international businesses that sponsor and participate in the Mustard Festival. Throughout the festival, a network of Napa Valley communities, businesses, and non-profit organizations greet visitors and invite them to explore the arts, culture, and agriculture of Napa Valley.
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