Sample the Sierra canceled for 2021 due to fires, COVID19 and vendor staff shortages

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Sample the Sierra, South Lake Tahoe’s annual farm-to-fork festival originally scheduled Sept. 18, 2021, has been cancelled by event organizers.

Planners made the difficult decision based on numerous factors: recent impacts on businesses and the public from the Caldor Fire in El Dorado Country, a spike in COVID cases due to the Delta variant, and staffing concerns among numerous restaurant partners. All tickets will be fully refunded.

“We are all heartbroken, however with the many challenges beyond anyone’s control, we were left with no choice,” said Emily Abernathy, director of operations at the Tahoe Chamber. “The Tahoe Chamber team will continue to find ways to celebrate our local bounty and businesses through the year and ask our loyal followers to stay connected with us on social and stay tuned for better days to come.”

Visitors and locals are encouraged to still support Sample the Sierra restaurants, wineries/breweries, vendors and sponsors whenever possible, and to look for specific opportunities and promotions via Sample the Sierra and Tahoe Chamber’s Facebook pages. Many vendors had been preparing special items for the event.

Sample the Sierra is produced by the Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority, El Dorado County, Tahoe Douglas Visitors Authority, and the City of South Lake Tahoe. The event is supported by Festival Sponsor, Lake Tahoe Culinary Academy/ADVANCE; Sierra Nevada Sponsors include Bently Heritage, and South Tahoe Alliance of Resorts; Main Stage Sponsor Winters Electric and Sierra Sothebys Realty; Sierra Stage Sponsors Deb Howard & Co, RPM Mortgage, and South Tahoe Refuse & Recycling Services; Sierra Stage Panty Sponsor, Whole Foods Market; Sierra Chefs Challenge Sponsors Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Lake Tahoe, Lake Tahoe Resort Hotel, and Sacramento International Airport as well as Media Sponsor Tahoe Daily Tribune.

Food providers included: Betty’s Balls Tapas & Catering, Chicken in a Barrel, Dragonfly Bagel Co., Gastromaniac, McDuff’s, Poor Red’s, Tahoe Bagel Company, The Baked Bear and The Loft Tahoe. Drink providers include Bella Grace Vineyards, Crystal Basin Cellars, Findleton Estate Winery, Lava Cap Winery, Nello Olivo Winery, Sidellis, South of North Brewing Co., Tahoe Blue Vodka and newcomer South Fork Vodka. Vendors: Arivka Jewelry, BellaDrops Jewelry, Chris Harrison Photo & Art, Kelly Smith Cassidy Fine Art, Lovin' Lake Tahoe LLC, MK Designs, Mountain Water Canvas, Tahoe Dog Gear, Tahoe Grown, Tahoe Heartbeat, Tamacino, and Warrior Goddess Jewelry.