Charlie Evans brought out the big machinery for the Almond Blossom Festival.
He’s the president of the California Rock Crusher Corp., or Cal Crush, serving as this year’s grand marshal for the 63rd annual event – the theme is “Cal Crush: 25 years of Crushing it.”
Evans is proud of the recognition that his local turn-key portable aggregate mining and asphalt / block recycling service provider is receiving from the community and beyond.
“There no better place than right here in Ripon,” he said of the Cal Crush recognition Friday during the opening day of the weekend festival at Mistlin Sports Park, 1201 River Rd.
Cal Crush put together a large exhibit consisting of the large equipment – dozers, pressure loaders, scrapers, etc. – used in the day-to-day operation on the northeast corner of the park.
It’s there that the obstacle course will take place for the weekend, with operators from the other Cal Crush locations from throughout Northern California compete in while using the company equipment.
The Ripon Chamber of Commerce, sponsors of the Almond Blossom Festival, was impressed with the Cal Crush display, saying: “They’ve set the bar higher for others (grand marshals) to follow.”
Sunny skies and warm conditions are in the daytime forecast for the Almond Blossom Festival. The three-day event will once again feature close to a variety of vendors, offering food choices, arts and crafts, and informational items, to name a few.
Cost for parking is $5 (cash-only, with proceeds going to non-profit organizations) while there is no fee to enter the vendor area.
Tickets for carnival rides will be available at the carnival ticket booth for those who didn’t purchase the discounted presale unlimited ride wristbands.
Pets are allowed but must be on a leash.
No alcohol will be permitted in the park at any time.
Here’s the events for the weekend:
• Saturday – Ripon Grange Pancake Breakfast, 6 a.m. to 10 a.m., Ripon Grange Hall; American Legion Ladies Auxiliary 190 10th annual Burrito Breakfast, 7 a.m. to noon, American Legion Hall; Fun Run at Mavis Stouffer Park, 8:30 a.m. (1 mile) & 9 a.m. (8K); Senior Center Craft & Bake Sale, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.; Festival Vendor Booths open, 10 a.m. to 8 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; Diaper Derby, 10 a.m., Ripon High North Gym; Ripon Community Art Show, 10 a.m., RHS Multi-Purpose Room; ABF Carnival opens, 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; Community Stage Live Music, noon to 8 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; RC Tri Tip Fundraiser, noon to 3 p.m., 435 Maple Ave.; ABF Parade, 1 p.m., downtown Ripon (starting at Stockton Avenue); Quarterback Club Brats & Drink, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Ripon Community Center; Swiss Club Dance (age 21 and over), 7 p.m., Ripon Swiss Club.
• Sunday – Festival Vendor Booth open, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; ABF Carnival, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park; Community Stage Live Music, noon to 5 p.m., Mistlin Sports Park.
For more information, call the Ripon Chamber of Commerce at 209.599.7519.
