Summer Loaf, a festival of bread to be held Aug. 4 - 6 during the Portland Farmers Market, is open to the public. The festival will feature an amateur bread baking contest and baking seminars presented by BBGA members. The annual event draws more than 15,000 people.

BBGA's Camp Bread is designed for professional bakers and serious home bakers. The educational event, to be held Sep. 11-13 at the San Francisco Baking Institute, sold out in six days. Camp Bread is expected to bring together nearly 200 participants, including artisan bread baking experts and industry representatives serving as instructors and science fair presenters. Six-hour lab classes will provide hands-on, in-depth instruction on mixing, fermentation and baking techniques for laminated Danish and croissant doughs, baguettes, rye and German breads and traditional sourdough breads.

"What better place than San Francisco, where sourdough bread was 'invented,' to bring together our most ardent artisans to focus on the craft of baking-from ingredients to equipment to mixing and baking-and share the energy of an intimate learning environment," said Abe Faber, owner of Clear Flour Bakery in Boston and co-chair of Camp Bread. "It reflects the guild's central mission of sharing information and education," he added.