Festival Information

Everything is going BANANAS August 13th – 14th, 2011.

Join us at Sacramento’s William Land Park for a weekend full of music, food, art, dance, films, and family fun. Taste banana breads, cakes, pies, ice cream, muffins, puddings, cookies, shakes, fritters, soups. And see artwork, costumes, trinkets, live performances and much more.

Tickets are $7 for Adults and Kids 5 and under are FREE all weekend!

Proceeds from the 2011 festival support Sacramento’s Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Museum.

PLEASE BE ADVISED: The website is currently being updated for the 2011 festival- Information subject to change. (Updated August 9, 2011).

 

Festival Hours

Saturday August 14th, 10:00am-7:00pm.

5K Run Begins at 9:00am

Sunday August 15th, 10:00am-6:00pm.

Directions and Parking

William Land Park (Village Green Area) 4200 Freeport Boulevard. (On the corner of Sutterville Road and Freeport Blvd)

Directions from Highway 5: Exit on Sutterville Road (Exit #516) head east to Freeport Blvd (1 mile).

Directions from Highway 99: Exit on 12th Ave (Exit #297), head West onto Sutterville Road until you reach Freeport Blvd. (1.1 Miles)

Free parking is available within and around William Land Park.

Additional parking is available across the street at Sacramento City College. $1 Daily permits can be purchased from any of the machines located within the student parking area.

GO GREEN with the Banana Festival.

Ride a bike to the festival, carpool, use the RT Light Rail (Blue Line – City College Station), or Regional Transit Bus (Bus 62 Downtown -City College – Rush River)

Handicapped parking is available at Sac City College. For convenience, loading and unloading can be made outside the entrance to the festival on E Park road, accessed from Sutterville Road or Freeport Blvd.

 

Why Bananas and Why Sacramento?

As you may know, the United States doesn’t grow bananas commercially, but that’s not what we are celebrating anyhow.

The Banana Festival in Sacramento is a cultural festival, celebrating the many cultures around the world that use bananas as a traditional food source. These include the cultures represented in the picture above; Central and South American, Caribbean, African, Indian, Asian and Pacific Islanders.

The Festival is a fundraiser for local non-profits, including the Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Museum. The Museum and it’s Art Development Center have been long term members of the community, educating and empowering local youth through art, music and healthy activities.

In addition to all the cultures united by bananas, the healthy benefits of the banana’s was also an inspiration for its use as a festival theme.

Bananas offer an amazing fat-free package of natural energy, minerals, potassium, vitamins, and fiber. From weight loss to blood pressure reduction, bananas are the original healthy super fruit.

 

Festival Rules & Tips

The Banana Festival is an family-friendly event. No pets permitted other than service dogs. No non-Festival food and drinks are permitted within the Festival grounds except for water. Be respectful of the artisans showcasing their original works, seek permission before taking pictures. Strollers are permitted but can present challenges when navigating the park area with grass, wood chips, and dirt pathways. Though the event is handicapped accessible, there is no wheelchair rental available. Sunblock and shade items are also advised for those sensitive to heat and sun.