photo credit: Marc Albert/KRCB
A blue heeler catches a train rolling into Petaluma. Will country dogs go city?

What will Petaluma be like in 20 years?

On Saturday, a five-hour long open house at the fairgrounds will attempt to answer that question. But ears will also be open.

What Petalumans like about the vision, what they hate about it, and how it could and should be altered....

Those are the main reasons behind what's officially being called PlanFest.

It's an event to spread the word about four-years of work that's already gone into building Petaluma's 2045 general plan---and making alterations that build more support across the community.

A general plan is a blueprint to guide future growth---kind of a wish list of where new housing, businesses, entertainment and recreational facilities should go,

That's along with a goal of preserving Petaluma's culture and quality of life.

With a commitment to sustainability and two yet-to-appear transit-oriented residential districts to coalesce, there should be plenty to talk about.

Planfest isn't just for urbanists, YIMBYs, NIMBYs and preservationists. There will also be goats and sheep, at least until 10 in the morning, art-play activities, prizes and free tacos.

Planfest runs from 9 am until 2 pm Saturday at the Petaluma fairgrounds.