A joyful boy rides a carousel horse with blurred lights in the background.
A child rides a carousel at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)

LODI— Hundreds of attendees flocked to the Lodi Grape Festival on night one. The celebration of this year’s grape harvest features classic carnival games, rides, and food. Musical acts perform throughout each day.

  • Musician playing electric guitar under blue stage lighting, with a microphone stand in the foreground.
    Tribute band Fleetwood Mask perform at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • Two people in cowboy hats at a quilt exhibition.
    People walk through art exhibits at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • Evening carnival scene with silhouetted figures on a swing ride, colorful lights, and a Ferris wheel reflected in a puddle.
    People ride a giant swing at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • Child sitting on a toy green tractor surrounded by pumpkins on straw.
    Vicente Ordinola, 2, poses for a photo on a mini tractor at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • Children playing inside inflatable spheres on a pool at a fairground, with colorful tents and people in the background.
    People smile on amusement rides at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • Two young girls on a Ferris wheel, one raising her arms excitedly, the other sitting calmly.
    Children ride a miniature ferris wheel at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • A fish tank filled with small orange and black fish, with plastic containers stacked next to it.
    Goldfish at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • Girl sliding down a blue spiral slide at a fair with graffiti art and sunset in the background.
    A child rides a slide at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • Carnival scene at sunset with teal tents, stuffed animals, and an amusement ride, as people walk and enjoy the attractions.
    The Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • People enjoying a fast-moving amusement park ride with a skiing mural in the background.
    People smile on amusement rides at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • Three people on a swinging amusement park ride at night, with blurred lights and cars below.
    People smile on amusement rides at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • A dog slides down a metal slide during a dog show while a person in a "PUPPY PALS" shirt guides it.
    Puppy Pals perform at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)

Grape murals under the theme “Life in the Fast Lane” and are on display among other competitive exhibits.

  • A mural made of seeds and grains features smiling pumpkins on a road, with a sun wearing sunglasses above. The mural has award ribbons attached.
    A mural at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • A grape mosaic depicting two cars racing towards a finish line, with grape characters as drivers.
    A grape mural at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • Seed and grain artwork displayed at an indoor event, with an American flag and crowd in the background.
    A mural at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • A detailed mosaic made from jelly beans depicting a video game character and colorful background.
    A grape mural at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)
  • Display of grape varieties at an agricultural exhibition with labels.
    Winning grapes at the Lodi Grape Festival in Lodi, California on Thursday, Sept. 11, 2025. (Photo by Annie Barker/Stocktonia/CatchLight Local/ Report for America)

Further information can be found at https://www.grapefestival.com/.

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