Murphys, CA…Did you know Murphys has two major events taking place on the same day? That’s right! Each first Saturday in October Murphys, CA hosts the Calaveras Grape Stomp and Gold Rush Street Faire! Two epic family friendly events, just a stones throw apart. Whether you’re cheering on the grape stomping in the park, or enjoying beer, food trucks, wine, and vendors at the Gold Rush Street Faire, read on for 10 things we love about this one epic day of fun.

1. Things We Love About the Calaveras Grape Stomp & Gold Rush Street Faire: Adults, Kids, and Dogs in Costumes

Whether you’re competing on a team or wandering around enjoying the festivities, many guests come in costume. From dad-level puns to fairy spirits and wine references, costumes abound at the Calaveras Grape Stomp and Gold Rush Street Faire. Bringing a dog along? Humans don’t have to have all of the fun. Let your fashionable pup strut his stuff on Main St. Or leave the pup at home and come as a dog of your own–a hot dog! Tag us @gocalaveras with your Grape Stomp photos!

The Ron Burgundys from Ironstone Vineyards

2. Things We Love About the Calaveras Grape Stomp: It’s the Oldest (and Biggest) Grape Stomp in California

Did you know the Calaveras Grape Stomp is the oldest and largest grape stomp in California? What’s not to love about that? Joining in on the fun? Remember to take photos/videos or it never happened! Become a part of the living legacy by capturing some Facebook or Instagram live footage and/or by using #LovingCalaveras for a chance to be featured in the grape stomp legacy of a lifetime.

A grape stompin’ good time

4. What We Love About the Calaveras Grape Stomp: Dusting Off Those I Love Lucy Grape Stomp References.

No Calaveras Grape Stomp & Gold Rush Street Fair would be complete without rewatching the I Love Lucy episode that started it all, “Lucy’s Italian Movie.” The day of the event, you’ll most certainly encounter your fair share of I love Lucy references. Want to win the hearts of the crowd? Come up with a few new ones of your own. Chocolate filled chefs hats anyone?

4. What We Love About the Calaveras Grape Stomp: The Wine

While we don’t recommend sipping the juice made in the stomp, we do recommend the spectacular national award winning wine made around Calaveras County. From our unique soil and climate to our small family owned vineyards, Calaveras is full of national award winning Calaveras wines that each offer unique wine tasting experiences. Stop by the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance wine information center at 202 Main St. in Murphys, CA for the inside scoop on special varietals and tasting experiences to be found in Calaveras tasting rooms and vineyards throughout the county.

This cute team enjoys some refreshing white wine before the stomp. I Courtesy of Kaedence Eaton

5. What We Love About the Calaveras Grape Stomp & Gold Rush Street Faire: Family Friendly restaurants, food trucks, and vendors

Half the fun of the Calaveras Grape Stomp and Gold Rush Street Fair is enjoying the teen and kid friendly restaurants, food trucks and vendors on Main St and at the Murphys Community Park. Explore the vendors the day of the event, and scout out some favorite local restaurants with Murphys restaurant guide.

Locals Tips: For the kid lover in all of us, don’t miss kid-centric Murphys Village Toy Store, Maisieblue, the hundred year old family business Nelson’s Candy Kitchen, local family favorite Firewood Restaurant, family favorites Murphys Pizza Co., Murphys Pourhouse, Joma’s Artisan Ice Cream, nearby Mercer Caverns, apple cider donuts at The Red Apple, breakfast in a covered wagon at Murphys Highway 4 Diner, the Ironstone Vineyards 44lb Gold Nugget, and/or a free haunted hotel tour at Murphys Historic Hotel (featured in Chef Gordon Ramsay’s Hotel Hell).

Enjoying cupcakes outside of Allegorie Tasting Room in Murphys CA I Instagrammer @ashlen_sturdivant

6. What We Love About the Calaveras Grape Stomp & Gold Rush Street Faire: Beer, beer and more beer

No great wine event would be complete without something special for the beer lovers among us. From beer vendors throughout the Gold Rush Street Faire and Grape Stomp to craft beer at Murphys Pourhouse, The Watering Hole, and Murphys Irish Pub to frosty pints served up at the Murphys Historic Hotel Gold Rush era saloon, Murphys will keep you in beer.

Murphys beer lovers unite! I Courtesy of Murphys Pourhouse

7. What We Love About the Calaveras Grape Stomp & Gold Rush Street Faire: Getting Sticky

It’s not everyday we get to cast off the shackles of normal society and make a mess, but here at the oldest grape stomp in California, the messier you are, the more celebrated you will be. To join in on the sticky fun (and learn what the heck a swabber is) explore how to register a grape stomp team here. Who knew making wine could be so much fun?

8. What We Love About the Gold Rush Street Faire: Fundraising for the Kids

Did you know that there are actually TWO separate events happening at the same time during the Calaveras Grape Stomp & Gold Rush Street Faire? What if we told you that the grape stomp (sponsored by the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance) is only half of the fun? The other half of the fun can be found a stone’s throw away on Main Street, known as the Gold Rush Street Faire. This awesome annual event raises funds for the local youth sports park–Feeney park. Now that is our kind of feel good event!

Feeney Park Sandwich Booth I Courtesy of Kaedence Eaton

9. What We Love About the Calaveras Grape Stomp & Gold Rush Street Faire: Living Your Best Life in Murphys, CA

So you’re having a really good time at the stomp and faire, but what else is around? With charming historic gold rush architecture, over two dozen tasting rooms, two dozen family owned-and-operated shops, over a dozen restaurants, and a laid back attitude, Murphys, CA is an adorable town chock full of history. Don’t take our word for it. There’s a reason Budget Travel magazine listed Murphys, CA as one of the top ten coolest small towns in America.

Not only is Murphys one of the coolest little towns around, but it’s surrounded by tons of other cute towns and spectacular outdoor recreation as well–all within less than an hours drive! Maybe that’s why Calaveras County is in the top ONE percent of the most beautiful and desirable places to live and play in the entire mainland United States. Not too shabby.

From spelunking at one of our caverns, to golfing and gold rush charm in Angels Camp; exploring Calaveras Big Trees State Park and shopping in Arnold; enjoying the artist colony out at Mokelumne Hill; to snow sports at Bear Valley; to experience all of the attractions hidden in San Andreas;  to shopping and golfing in Copperopolis; and enjoying the Valley Springs Tri-Lake Area the only thing you’ll want is more time!

Find Local art at the Gold Rush Street Faire I Courtesy of Kaedence Eaton

10. What We Love About the Calaveras Grape Stomp & Gold Rush Street Faire: Enjoying the After Parties

Before, during and after the stomp and faire, the party is rolling, wine harvest style! With either long time friends or new-found friends in tow, you can get the inside scoop on after parties by asking around town, swinging by one of our wine tasting rooms or beer houses (which almost always have something fun going on) or by planning ahead with a quick peek at our on-line calendar of events here.

You never know what you’re going to find in Murphys, CA! I Courtesy of Instagrammer @moke_hill_fig

Need help finding anything else? We’re happy to help 7 days a week at 753 S. Main Street in Angels Camp, CA, or by phone at 1-209-736-0049 and email at info@gocalaveras.com.

Happy stomping!