The Lake Tahoe South Shore Chamber of Commerce, the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority and El Dorado County are presenting the inaugural Sample the Sierra food and wine event from 12–5 p.m. Saturday on Ski Run Boulevard.

Sample the Sierra is a cooperative effort to increase awareness of the region's bounty, heritage, culture and activities through a market-to-table event featuring tastings from Sierra Nevada chefs and restaurants, created with local produce and paired with local wineries.

Food and wine tasting will be from 1–4 p.m. and feature restaurants and chefs include Bistro Danielle, Latin Soul, Blue Angel Café, 4 Seasons Soup and Salad, Black Bear Inn, Heavenly and Kids Inc Pies. Restaurants will prepare tastings with products from growers including Sacred Paths, Z & B Ranch, Beal's Orchard, Perez Produce, Rainbow Orchard, Harris Tree Farm and Storm Valley Ranch. Featured wineries include Wofford Acres Vineyards, Lava Cap Winery, Madrona Vineyards, Perry Creek Winery, Picchetti Winery, Latcham Vineyards, Chevalier Winery and Jodar Winery.

The event marketplace will showcase regional products including honey, jams and soaps. A juried, original art show will feature pottery, painting, photography and handmade crafts by regional artists and artisans. There will be live entertainment, including bands Late for Dinner and Left of Cool; storytellers, acoustic musicians and activities.

Volunteers are also needed. To volunteer, call Isabella at 775-588-1728 or Isabella@tahoechamber.org.

Festival admission is free. Food and wine tasting is $20; food only tasting $10 and tasting for children is $5. For more information, visit www.samplethesierra.com or call 775-588-1728.

The festival's main sponsor is the South Lake Tahoe Endowment funded by the El Dorado Community Foundation and created out of two separate funds that serve the community of South Lake Tahoe. The two funds, the Joan Rochelle Fund and the South Lake Tahoe Area Fund, have combined their collective giving to strengthen the funding resources that are needed in the South Lake Tahoe community. The South Lake Tahoe Endowment will provide more than $75,000 in grants this year with proposals being accepted from Aug. 15 to Sept. 15. With the creation of the South Lake Tahoe Endowment, community members Doug Rosner, Wendy David, Mark Acri, Bob Novasel and Karen Houser have established a collaborative coordinated platform of informed giving for South Lake Tahoe.

For more information on the fund and the work of the El Dorado Community Foundation, visit www.eldoradocf.org.