Ripon is celebrating improvements to Ripon High Stadium with an all-weather track ribbon cutting tonight 7 p.m. There will be free cupcakes from the Cupcake Lady and Congressman Jeff Denham and Assemblywoman Kristin Olsen will be in attendance. For more information go to http://community.mantecabulletin.com/events/detail/13864/
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What are you doing this weekend?
The most colorful local festival is here! Color the Skies, Ripon’s hot air balloon festival, is ready to celebrate its ninth year with a very special guest – Wells Fargo’s Center Stage, 100-foot-long balloon! The balloon has never been to California before so you have a unique chance to witness the stagecoach-shaped wonder in person. The hot air balloons begin inflating and lifting into the skies exactly at daybreak, so wake up early and don’t miss the amazing experience of bringing them to life. If you’re hungry, the pancake breakfast begins at 6 a.m. You can also hop aboard one of the balloons so you too can experience the feel and sound of hot air balloons from the inside instead of watching them from the outside. There will be a plenty of entertainment for your entire family, so be ready to spend the whole day there. The festival benefitting Children’s Hospital Central California will take place on Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 30 and 31, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Mistlin Sports Park in Ripon. Price: $5 parking Learn more at http://colortheskies.com/
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How would you like to bike through town from restaurant to restaurant, tasting new dishes and discovering new adventures? This and more is the goal of the Pedal to Plate Culinary Bike Tour, which takes no more than 15 at time. Comfortably seated in a uni-bike – vehicle similar to Fred Flintstone’s car where you sit but pedal to move forward – you will take on a two-mile route in Midtown Sacramento, visiting hidden gems and farm-to-fork restaurants. Each place will serve you a plate of samples that have drawn rave reviews and they can even customize the food if you have any allergies or unusual dietary needs. Plus, there are three spaces on the uni-bike where pedaling is not necessary so even those who physically can’t pedal can still participate in this culinary adventure. The starting point is at Sun & Soil Juice Company (1912 P Street, Sacramento) on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 6 p.m. Price: $65 Learn more at http://local-food-tours.com/culinary-cultural-experience/culinary-events/
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A holiday weekend is here and that brings the perfect opportunity to celebrate not only the fruits of our labor, but also our ancestors’ labor! Native Americans will share their songs, dances, arts, crafts, and more at the 32nd Stockton Labor Day Pow-Wow. Listen to the dancing songs of various tribes and dance to the magic beat of the drum, and they will also share their culinary picks, so this will be definitely an experience for all senses. The event is hosted by the Stockton Pow Wow Committee and Pacific’s Native American Students Association and takes place at the Wendell Phillips Center at the University of the Pacific (1070 W Stadium Drive, Stockton) from Friday, Aug. 29, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday, Aug. 30, from noon to 10 p.m. and Sunday, Aug. 31, from noon to 6 p.m. Price: FREE Learn more at https://calendar.pacific.edu/event/32nd_stockton_labor_day_pow-wow_896#.U_zxMPldWCm
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You may have heard that the traditional Old Sacramento Gold Rush Days have been cancelled due to drought – and you may have heard that right. But the city will be far from empty during the Labor Day weekend. Old Sacramento is celebrating all things “Americana,” with live music, classic cars and a couple of special events that will definitely satisfy your craving for a piece of history. Many museums will offer extended hours and activities, such as “hands-on banking” activities at the Wells Fargo History Museum, embroidery activities at the Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum or excursion train rides and river cruises. There will also be a beer crawl on Friday and free fireworks display on Saturday, plus free country western dance party on Saturday and outdoor movie showing of Pale Rider on Sunday at 8 p.m. Sounds like fun! Price: varies Learn more at http://oldsacramento.com/special-events/americana
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Have more fun this weekend!
• Check out the new special exhibit The Art of Survival: Enduring the Turmoil of Tule Lake that just opened on Aug. 24 at the San Joaquin County Historical Museum (11793 North Micke Grove Road, Lodi).
• Hottie Dustin Lynch will perform at Ace of Spades (1417 R Street, Sacramento) on Thursday, Aug. 28, at 7 p.m. Will you crank his tractor? ($25)
• Taste new beers during Gold Rush Drought Days Beer Crawl in Old Sacramento on Friday, Aug. 29, from 6 p.m. to midnight. ($10)
• Explore rattle sssssnakes at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center (2850 San Lorenzo Way, Carmichael) on Saturday, Aug. 30, at 10:30 a.m. (FREE)
• Enjoy a day of fun and adopt a new furry friend during the Stockton Animal Shelter Summer Block Party organized by the Stockton Animal Shelter at 1575 S. Lincoln Street on Saturday, Aug. 30, from noon to 5 p.m. All adoption fees will be waived!
• Fans come to play at the Sacramento Anime Convention this weekend at the Sacramento Convention Center (1400 J Street) from 10 a.m. every day ($25-$40)
• Embrace your big fat Greek heritage at the 51st annual Sacramento Greek Festival this weekend at the Sacramento Convention Center (1400 J Street) from 11 a.m. on Friday, Aug. 29, and at noon on Saturday and Sunday.
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