Destination Vacaville

Vacaville is proudly celebrating Pride Month! In celebration of Vacaville's LGBQTIA+ community, DJ Pocket stopped by to chat with Melyssa about community, how to support LGBQTIA+ folks, and information about Pride Ball 2022. It takes place Saturday, June 25 at the Hide-a-Way Lounge & Grill in Vacaville. It's free to attend for anyone 21 and over! Some of California's best Drag Entertainers will be performing...

Fire Chief Kris Concepcion sits down with Melyssa to enlighten both residents of Vacaville and tourists visiting the city about ways to stay safe during fire season. Chief Concepcion lets us know how to reduce fire risks for residential homes, what to do in the event of a fire emergency, and how to stay informed via the Nixle app system. The Nixle system works for both residents and tourists of Vacaville. The Chief also shares wher...

Fiesta Days is one of Vacaville's oldest celebrations. Its roots go back to the late 19th Century! Karen Juilfs, the General Chairperson for Fiesta Days, joins Melyssa to share what is happening at this year's event. This year the festival runs from Friday, May 27 to Monday, May 30. There will be live music, lots of delicious foods, beverages, a car show, and plenty of fun for families, kids, and adults. Sunday also sees th...

Visit Vacaville Chairman Dave McCallum is the guest on this episode Destination Vacaville! Chairman McCallum has called Vacaville home since moving there as a child.  In addition to being the Chairman of Visit Vacaville, he works at KUIC Radio 95.3 (both on and off the air). First, Melyssa and Dave chat about tourism in Vacaville. Next, they let us in on the many ways the tourism industry supports local economies. Then they share h...

Chief Schmutzler is a 22-year veteran of the Vacaville Police Department and a Northern California native. Chief Schmutzler became Chief of Police in late 2021. Chief Schmutzler and host Melyssa chat about the steps Vacaville Police Department takes to ensure the safety of both residents and tourists, the police department's success with keeping crime stats down, and how the police department is working with community groups to...

Chris Rico, the new President and CEO of Solano Economic Development Corporation (EDC), sits down with Melyssa for this week's episode of the podcast. Solano EDC helps strengthen Solano County's economy by attracting new jobs, investments, and helping established businesses (and new businesses) stay competitive. Chris chats about his goals for his new role, his insights into helping supports EDC's goals (which also supp...

This week Destination Vacaville highlights Ben Lyons, otherwise known as Farmer Ben. Farmer Ben founded his farm, Lockewood Acres, after finding inspiration in a 1954 publication that championed self-sustenance. Lockewood Farms supplies many of the fresh farm-to-fork fruits and vegetables served in many of Vacaville's fine dining establishments. In addition to the fruits and vegetables grown on the farm, Lockewood Farms is home...

Hello! Destination Vacaville returns with none other than the City of Vacaville's very own Mayor Ron Rowlett. Mayor Ron Rowlett and Melyssa Reeves chat about Vacaville surviving the Great Recession and growing during the pandemic. Next, Mayor Rowlett shares why Vacaville is quickly becoming the center of bio-manufacturing in California. The industry is spurring a growth in tourism, income, and housing for the residents of Vacav...

Melyssa Reeves chats with Lisa Hilas, President of On Stage Vacaville, in this episode the podcast. On Stage Vacaville helps promote the arts and culturally diverse programming for Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre (Melyssa spoke with Theatre Manager Rachel Morgan in Episode 8).  Melyssa and Lisa dive into all that On Stage Vacaville does to help support community arts for Vacaville and how the community can help support On Stage V...

Our host Melyssa Reeves chats with Mark Mazzaferro, Founder of NV Confections. They chat about Mark's leap from working for the City of Vacaville to becoming the maker of a much-in-demand brittle candy. Additionally, they delve in how Mark came up with the name NV Confections (contrary to rumors, it has nothing to do with Napa Valley). NV Confections is available for purchase online, at farmers markets in Vacaville and surround...

Colleen Berumen is the guest for this episode Destination Vacaville. Berumen is the Executive Director of Vacaville Solano Services Corporation, which oversees the Opportunity House. Opportunity House is a drug-free shelter providing safe and secure housing along with life-skills training.  Our host Melyssa Reeves sits down with Colleen to learn more about Opportunity House and upcoming fundraising events that benefit Opportunity H...

Join host Melyssa Reeves as she chats with Rachel Morgan, Theatre Manager of Vacaville Performing Arts Theatre . The two discuss the Theatre's upcoming shows, which kicks off with a performance by ukulele master Jake Shimabukuro on November 5, 2021. Additionally, Rachel shares all of the fun shows in store for the holiday season, like Christmas In My Town, the Nutcracker, and Christmas from a Celtic Table. Finally, Rachel share...

Stephanie Jordan of Sustainable Solano joins our host Melyssa Reeves in this new episode Destination Vacaville. Jordan is the organization's Local Food Program Manager. Jordan highlights all that Sustainable Solano does for the community of Vacaville, including green infrastructure, food programs, cooking demonstrations, supporting restaurants, and workforce development. Learn how residents of Vacaville and Solano County can pa...

Join our host Melyssa Reeves as she chats with Speros Pavlatos about opening Måkse restaurant, located in exciting downtown Vacaville.  Speros co-founded the restaurant with Jason Diavatis. The duo also opened Creekside Cafe, located in the same building as Måkse. Creekside Cafe serves breakfast and brunch and over looks a beautiful creek. And as if that wasn't enough, they will soon open a speakeasy bar with dueling pianos loc...

For this episode Melyssa Reeves chats with Julie Davis, the General Manager of the Nut Tree.  As the Nut Tree approaches its 100th anniversary,  the region celebrates the Nut Tree's beginnings as a humble fruit stand to a multigenerational destination for Northern California. Julie also shares the return of Nut Tree's World Championship Giant Pumpkin Weigh-Off, which draws competitors and fans from all over the country and ...

This week host Melyssa Reeves speaks with Debbie Egidio, the interim President and CEO of the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce.  Debbie and Melyssa delve into the exciting plans the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce has in store for the public and its local businesses. Additionally, they discuss how the Vacaville Chamber of Commerce is helping small business owners connect with customers and build community. 

Destination Vacaville? Let'...