Bean Feed Is A Sonora Christmas Tradition

Rain, drizzle, freezing temperatures, sleet and sometimes snow has never stopped the free Mutz´ Bean Feed for the past 26 years in downtown Sonora.

Galen “Mutz” Mutzner was Thursday’s KVML “Newsmaker of the Day”.

It was twenty-six years ago on a Friday before Christmas, that Mutzner decided to set up on the sidewalks of downtown Sonora and began serving beans for free to anyone who stopped by and wanted them.

Over the years, the event began to catch-on and it soon became an annual tradition for workers in downtown Sonora. The event has been running strong ever since.

According to Mutzner, one man estimated that over 700 people attended the Bean Feed just a few years ago.

It is one of the most popular free events that surrounds Christmas in Sonora.

Mutz adds, “People say that this is the biggest social event in Tuolumne County and they love to come.”

When asked how much longer he will serve beans (and other food including garlic bread), Mutz responds by saying, “I would like to make it to my 30th Annual Bean Feed. It’s my party, so I’ll keep doing this for as long as I want.”

The Bean Feed will begin at noon tomorrow (Friday) and it will be followed by both the Pop Hudson Sing at Courthouse Park and a parade on Washington Street to celebrate the State Championship win by the Sonora High School Volleyball team.

The “Newsmaker of the Day” is heard every weekday morning on AM 1450 KVML at 6:45, 7:45 and 8:45 AM.