Hey Sonoma County, mark your calendars because this week on This Must Be the Place, we're festival bound, getting all the deets on the upcoming Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival and Railroad Square Music Festival from event organizers John Burns and Josh Windmiller.

John Burns

Petaluma Rotary Member and host of the Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival

Your host, Allo, kicks things off, chatting with John Burns about all things craft beer. John is a 25-year member of the Petaluma Rotary which hosts the upcoming Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival. We hear all about the event’s history, stellar lineup of craft breweries, the delicious eats, and live tunes from Batacha and Johnny Sanchez.This tasty event is happening September 13th from 1 to 5 PM in downtown Petaluma, and it's all for a great cause–benefiting local initiatives like homeless shelters, youth programs, and teacher mini-grants. You'll snag a souvenir tasting glass and a handy site map to navigate all the goodness, including favorites like Old Caz and Drake's Bear Republic, alongside exciting newcomers like Del Cielo and Goat Rock Cider Company.

Josh Windmiller

Founder, Railroad Square Music Festival

Then, things get electric as Allo connects with Josh Windmiller, the mastermind behind the FREE Railroad Square Music Festival. Josh shares the incredible grassroots journey of this festival, which highlights regional acts across multiple stages in the heart of Santa Rosa's Railroad Square. He's been building community connections for two decades, championing the arts and fostering strong relationships with local businesses and government to make this festival a reality year after year.

Josh talks about the band selection process, explaining how they scout talent year-round to ensure an incredible array of diverse artists are represented. Almost every act you'll see this year across the five stages is performing for the first time at the festival, promising fresh sounds and discoveries.

Josh overviews the epic day ahead in Railroad Square, with a full rundown of the musical acts like SambaDa, Electric Tumbleweed, and tons of other local gems. They've even added an Electric Railroad Station for house and dance music lovers, plus a dedicated kids' area managed by the Children's Museum of Sonoma County. Expect fantastic food vendors, local crafters, and shops, plus expanded drink options including cocktails from Griffo, beer from Moonlight Brewing Co, and wine from Rodney Strong. The party runs from noon to 7 PM on September 28th, and you can find the full lineup on railroadsquaremusicfestival.com. This grassroots, diverse, and inspiring festival is truly a highlight for Santa Rosa, encouraging everyone to discover new music and support local talent.

Don't forget to tune in for our "Crack One Open" segment where Allo reviews Cellar Clown from Moonlight Brewing. Allo breaks down why this Märzen-style lager is THE beer to drink in celebration of OctoberFest and explains why it is the perfect seasonal bridge from summer into fall. Allo even gives us a brief history of the German holiday and some tasty food-pairing ideas.

So whether you're craving a cold brew or ready to dance your heart out, this episode has got you covered. Tune in, support local, and get ready to discover your next favorite North Bay beer and band.

Featured Guests:

John Burns

Josh Windmiller

Featured Music:

“Always Drinking” by Electric Tumbleweed

“Lonesome LA Cowboy” by Electric Tumbleweed

Resources Mentioned in this Episode:

Petaluma River Craft Beer Festival

Railroad Square Music Festival

Moonlight Brewing

Rodney Strong

Griffo Distillery