Visions of the Wild Festival “connects nature, culture, and community.” Or, to put it another way, we believe the arts are a great way to bring people to nature. Each year we explore a different theme through field trips, art exhibits, concerts, speakers, and films. In 2023, we celebrate the environmental heroes, local and global, who are making a difference to conserve and restore our endangered planet. All of our events are free and open to all.

Thu Oct 12: Opening Night at the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum. Celebrate the 6 local environmental heroes!

Fri Oct 13: Art Exhibit at Temple Art Lofts & Film Festival at the Empress Theatre: See local artists pay homage to global environmental heroes, and enjoy some environmental films.

Sat Oct 14: Family Discovery Zone at the Bank parking lot, held during the Farmer's Market: Stop by this creative space for youth and their families, featuring hands-on activities like making animal masks, pressing flowers, creating seed balls, and painting posters.

EVENT SCHEDULE

All Events Free & Open to Everyone
‍
Opening Night Celebration and Reception | Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum

734 Marin St.
Thursday, Oct 12, 6-9:00 PM
‍
‍Join us to honor our local environmental heroes and learn more about the incredible conservation-minded journeys. Hors d’oeuvres and beverages will be served.

‍Art Exhibition Opening | Temple Art Lofts

340 Virginia St.
Friday, Oct 13, 6-8:30pm
‍
‍Immerse yourself in a world of creativity and imagination as we showcase environmental heroes from around the world as interpreted by Vallejo and Benicia artists. Snacks will be served.
‍
‍Wild and Scenic Film Festival “On Tour” | Empress Theatre

330 Virginia St.
Friday, Oct 13, 7:30-9:30pm

Seven short films that inspire environmental activism and a love for nature: “The Rock Pool Waltz,” “Bring the Salmon Home,” “Endangered Migration: A Monarch Butterfly Story,” “Breaking Trail,” “Eco-Hack!,” “Belle River,” and “Yuba Is the Heart.”‍
‍
‍Visions of the Wild Family Discovery Zone | Bank Bldg.

332 Georgia St.
Saturday, Oct 14, 10am-2pm

‍Find out how easy it is to grow your own food, see how honey is made, learn how to protect local wildlife, discover our hiking trails, commune with a giant Osprey puppet, and so much more!

Drum Circle with Ben Westin at the Capitol Street Stairs

Capitol St. & Sonoma Blvd.
Saturday, Oct 14, 1-2:30pm
‍
‍Drums will be available, or bring your own.

Celebrating Vallejo's Environmental Victories Panel Discussion | Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum,

734 Marin St.
Saturday, Oct 14, 2-4pm

Four local activists will discuss their roles in four significant environmental victories in Vallejo.  Robin Leong will discuss how Cullinan Ranch was saved from housing development. Mike Rippey will talk about preventing a landfill in Lynch Canyon. Elena DuCharme will represent the group that defeated a proposed liquified natural gas plan. Liat Meitzenheimer will discuss the recent fight to keep a cement plant out of South Vallejo.

Jazz at the Capitol Street Stairs

Capitol St. & Sonoma Blvd.
Saturday, Oct 14, 4:30-6:30pm

Come and enjoy the rich sounds of Bob Nadler and the Capitol Stairs Bambinos.

Bay Area Cinema Presents Norcal Environmental Heroes | Bank Bldg.

332 Georgia St.
Saturday, Oct 14, 7:30-9:30pm
‍
Enjoy films about environmental heroes and activism in Northern California at this pop-up microcinema.