South Lake Tahoe, CA – Nearly 2,000 foodies and wine aficionados are expected to converge on Ski Run Boulevard at the base of Heavenly Mountain Resort in South Lake Tahoe over the Labor Day Weekend for the 2nd Annual Sample the Sierra from noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 4. This farm-to-fork festival showcases some of the best in El Dorado County growers, products, wineries and restaurants.

But festival goers may want to consider arriving early as the event producer, TahoeChamber.org, recently introduced a number of new programs as part of the lineup, including the Sample the Sierra Dinner Cruise at 7:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 2, with guests boarding a historic Mississippi paddle wheeler and dining on Tahoe’s crystal waters while enjoying featured wine from Lava Cap Vineyards. The cost is $89 per person.

David Girard Vineyards in Placerville, Calif. is also offering a Friday, Sept. 2 Sample the Sierra occasion – a Winemaker’s Dinner at 6:30 p.m. The winery specializes in Rhone-style wines and will host a special tasting complimented by a five-course meal prepared by Chef Giovanni Gaudio of Bocconato Trattoria of Fair Play, California. Tickets cost $110 per person.

Black Bear Inn, one of South Lake Tahoe’s finest restaurants and B&Bs, will offer the first-ever Sample the Sierra Cooking Demonstration on Saturday, Sept. 3 from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Guests will harvest produce for their salads from Black Bear Inn’s garden and then take part in hand rolling fresh tortellini with roasted squash, aged parmesan and sage butter. This class is limited to 10 and runs $70 per person.

Culinary enthusiasts get hands on at 11 a.m. on Sept. 3 with a free working tour at Jollity Farm located in Garden Valley, Calif., one hour northeast of Sacramento. The farm offers a variety of goat cheese and lavender products produced using ingredients grown onsite. This event is free.

Also free of charge is a tour of Retiredice Alpacas Ranch in Fair Play, also about one hour northeast of Sacramento, at 2 p.m. on Sept. 3. The ranch offers a gift shop of 100% handmade alpaca apparel.

Sample the Sierra tickets cost $25 per person for the main event, which includes admission, food and wine, as well as a $5 per person admission ticket with the option to purchase dishes from the food booth provided by the Boys & Girls Club. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at www.SampletheSierra.com or in person at the event via cash or credit card.

Sample the Sierra festival goers will enjoy approximately 30 vendors, from South Lake Tahoe restaurants to El Dorado County-based wineries and growers, as well as live music, art activities, marketplace and art on display from local artisans.

Special Sample the Sierra lodging packages are also available at a variety of properties.