Summer’s finally here and blossoming with really unique activities, cultural and artistic opportunities that you need to know about. Why? Because summer’s fresh fun might start to wear thin by July. And, anyway, who doesn’t want to have a “superduper summer creating outstanding memories that will last all winter long.

14th Annual Festival of the Cement Ship!
June 7 • 11am to 4pm
Seacliff State Beach, Aptos
83l-685-6444 • www.santacruzstateparks.org
Celebrate the l930s when the ship was the place to dance and dine. Enjoy music, dancing, a cakewalk, games.

Story Road Tamale Festival
June 7 • 11am to 6pm
Emma Prusch Park, 647 S. King Rd.
888 5-TAMALE
Eating contests and uchepos, tamales of Michoacán, live music, demonstrations and dancing. Free.

3rd Annual Capitola Rod & Custom Classic Car Show
June 7 & 8 • Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 9am-2pm
Capitola Village
www.capitolasoquelchamber.com
Celebrate the days of yesteryear when rods and custom classic cars cruise to Capitola Village. Starts 8am Sat. at the Boardwalk.

Juneteenth Celebration
June 14 • 12noon to 5pm
Laurel Park, Washington at Maple, Santa Cruz
831-420-6177 • www.nelsoncenter.com
Celebrate the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. Free event offers great soul food for mind and body.

Civil War Re-enactment
June 21 & 22 • 9am to 6pm
Casa de Fruta Country Park/Battlefield, Pacheco Pass, Hollister
This is an authentic re-enactment with medical facilities, settlers encampments, military headquarters, cannons and lots of noise.

Pacheco State Parks Family Kite Day
June 21 • Noon to 4pm
Pacheco State Park, 38787 Dinosaur Point Road, Hollister
Watch the sky dance with clever and imaginative kites—an afternoon of fun is in the air! Other activities include “Make Your Own Kite Free” table and free face painting, as well as Pie Eating Contests, Bubble Gum Blowing Contests, and a “candy-drop” kite. $5 state park Day Use Fee per Car.

Japanese Cultural Fair
June 21 • 11am to 6pm
Mission Park, Santa Cruz
831-462-4589 • www.jcfsc.org
Celebrating its 22nd anniversary with traditional folk dance, tea ceremony, martial arts and much more. Free.

Top Secret: Mission Toy
Opens June 21
Children’s Discovery Museum, San Jose
408-298-5437 • www.cdm.org
Check out toys from around the world in their newest traveling exhibit.Explore dolls and balls, robots, puzzles and secret de-coding devices.

San Benito County Saddle Horse Show & Rodeo
June 26 to 29
Bolado Park Fairgrounds, Tres Pinos
www.sanbenitocountyfair.com
This much-anticipated annual event brings out some of the finest horses, rodeo riders, and performers in the area.

23rd Monterey Bay Blues
June 27, 28 & 29
Monterey Fairgrounds
www.montereyblues.com
Three stages of rockin’ blues and R-and-B presented by a festival dedicated to preserving this unique American art form. This year’s line-up features headliner acts like B.B. King, Blind Boys of Alabama, Charlie Musselwhite, Keb’ Mo’ Band, Susan Tedeschi, Taj Mahal Trio and others.

Surf City Classic
June 28 • 10am to 4pm
Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
831.420.5273 • www.montereybayfarmers.org
Bluegrass festival, kid’s crafts, berry-cooking competition and a chance to enjoy the tasty entries. Free. A chance to view more than 150 restored classic Woodies. Plus live music and prize drawings.

Summer Berry Festival and Cooking Competition
June 28 • 8am to 12 Noon
Aptos Farmers Market, Cabrillo College
831-728-5060 • www.montereybayfarmers.org
Bluegrass festival, kid’s crafts, berry-cooking competition and a chance to enjoy the tasty entries.

Great Train Robberies
June 28 & 29
Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton
831-335-4484 • www.roaringcamp.com
Hold onto your valuables, as each train is sure to be robbed at Bear Mountain. Trains at 11am, 12:30 & 2pm.

Bikes on the Bay: Soquel Vintage Motorcycle Show
June 29 • 9am to 4pm
Main Street, Soquel
831 475-6522 • www.capitolasoquelchamber.com
Come see vintage scooters and motorcycles form the last century. Vendor booths and great food.

Monterey County Celtic Week
June 28 thru July 6
Various Locations
831 647-6311 • www.montereyscot games.com
“Monterey County Celtic Week” will be held this year for the first time ever with a Caber Parade featuring Scottish dancers, bagpipers and drummers, performances by the Monterey Bay School of Piping and Drumming, a Pub Night, a Celtic Concert, culminating with the 40th Annual Monterey Scottish Games and Celtic Festival at Monterey County Toro Park on July 5 & 6.

10K Firecracker Race & Kids 1K
July 4
Henry West Park, Santa Cruz
83l 439-7049 • www.SantaCruzFirecracker10k.org
The most scenic, challenging course in SC, the race starts & finishes in Harvey West Park, tours Pogonip, $35. Registration 7am. Kids 1K starts 8am. 10K 8:30am.

Old Fashioned 4th of July & Fireworks Show
July 4
Los Banos Fairgrounds
Free fireworks show at the Spring Fair site. Food and game booths and contests will also be available for the evening.

Spreckels 4th of July
Spreckels
10K run, a One-Mile Race for kids under 12, and a grand parade of children along 3rd Street. There will be live music, Fireman’s Muster, a craft fair and food booths.

4th of July Fireworks Celebration
Scotts Valley Community Center & Skypark, Scotts Valley
831-438-3251 • www scottsvalley.org
Enjoy a parade, live music, bounce houses for kids and delicious food. Admission $7. Gates open 3pm, Fireworks at 9:15 pm

‘50s Family July 4th Fest!
Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton
831- 335-4484 • www.Roaringcamp.com
1950s-style sock hop, dance, and hula hoop contests. Sack races, balloon toss, BBQ & more. 9am -5pm.

Old-Fashioned Independence Day “World’s Shortest Parade”
Soquel Dr. & State Park Dr., Aptos
831-688-1467 • www.aptoschamber.com
Pancake breakfast 7:30- l0 am, Party in the Park with live music, games, vendors. 1lam- 4:30 pm.

Old Fashioned Independence Day
Wilder Ranch State Park, Hwy. 1 North of Santa Cruz.
83l-426- 0505 • www.santacruzstateparks.org
Watch the parade at noon, followed by flag raising, live old-time music, crafts, ice cream making, games, 11 am- 4 pm Free.

Gilroy Fireworks Display
Gilroy High School, 10th Street
A spectacular fireworks show, for free. The show begins at 9:15.

Morgan Hill Independence Day
Downtown Morgan Hill
The big weekend celebration starts on July 3 with a partiotic sing, live music and dancing. On the 4th start out with a pancake breakfast, Freedom 5K Run and 1 Mile walk, parade, car show and fireworks.

Kiddie Parade & Fireworks
10am Parade
Hollister
Parade-Veteran’s Memorial Park at 10am, Fireworks Show-Field Adjacent to Marguerite Maze Middle School at dusk. Children of all ages are welcome to participate: walk, ride, roller skate, roller blade, etc.

Spirit of Watsonville
Downtown Watsonville • 2-5 pm
83l- 768- 3266 • www.spiritofwatsonville.com
Celebrate Independence Day & Watsonville’s 158th Birthday. Pancake breakfast, downtown festival and parade.

Hollister Motorcycle Rally
July 11 to 13
Downtown Hollister
805 686-2007
www.horsepowerpromotions.com
The largest of its kind in California and one of the top ten in the US., offering a great line up of vendors and entertainment.

8th Annual Garlic City Fun Run
July 12
Downtown Gilroy
408 842-6501 or 408 594-1157
This year’s classic car show takes place on thenew main street in Historic Downtown Gilroy. Entry fee is $40. There will be T-shirts and goodie bags for pre-registered entries received by July 5, 2008. Only vehicles of 1969 or earlier will be accepted for participation and/or entry to the event.

Dia de San Juan Mission Fiesta Day
July 13 • 11am - 5pm
Historic Mission Olive Grove, San Juan Bautista
A wonderful day with a BBQ, games, music and fun for the entire family celebrating the beautiful SJB Mission.

Amazing Chinese Acrobats
July 13 - August 21 • Mon-Thurs, Noon and 3pm
Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk
831-423-5590
Watch the troupe of acrobats perform amazing stunts with plates, hoops, poles, chairs, bicycles and more. Free.

Shakespeare Santa Cruz 2008 Summer Festival
July 15 to August 31
83l-459-2l2l
www.shakespearesantacruz.com
Romeo & Juliet and All’s Well That Ends Well in the Festival Glen. Burn this and Bach @Leipzig on the Main Stage. Tues.- Sun: matinees and evening shows. Main stage & festival grove ucsc

117th Merced County Fair
July 15 to 20
County Fairgrounds, Los Banos
www.mercedcountyfair.com
Fun, games, rides, livestock, contests, and terrific entertainment! There will be a rodeo, bull riding, a Freestyle Moto X Rock Show, Destruction Derby, and Auto Racing, Rooney, Yolanda del Rio, Terri Clark, The Guess Who, Craig Morgan, The Spinners.

California Rodeo Salinas
July 17-20
Salinas Sports Complex. 1034 N. Main Street, Salinas
www.carodeo.com
The Rodeo is four days of raucous competition among top professional cowboys and cowgirls. Take in bareback bronc and bull riding, calf roping, steer wrestling, cattle cutting and barrel racing at its finest along with barbecues, parades and country western entertainment.

Red Bull US Grand Prix
July 18-20
Laguna Seca Raceway, 1021 Salinas Hwy, Monterey
831 242.8201
Rev up for summer with the country's biggest motorcycle race, the MotoGP World Championship.

Carmel Bach Festival
July 19-August 9
www.bachfestival.org
This is the preeminent American Bach festival with over 130 events. Dozens of performances, lectures, demonstrations, recitals and special events that take place throughout the Monterey Peninsula area.

California Mid-State Fair
July 23-August 3
Paso Robles Event Center, 2198 Riverside Avenue
www.midstatefair.com
“Country Days and Rockin’ Nights.” Big names in music will include John Mayer, Toby Keith, Steely Dan, Stone Temple Pilots, Alan Jackson, Matchbox Twenty, Rod Stewart, Boz Scaggs, Sawyer Brown & The Country Rodeo Finals and much more.

Gilroy Garlic Festival
July 25-27
Christmas Hill Park, 7050 Miller Avenue, Gilroy
www.gilroygarlicfestival.com
Feast on food laced with over two tons of fresh garlic, enjoy three stages of musical entertainment, shop for arts and crafts, view the great garlic cook-off and other celebrity cooking demonstrations.

Summer Salsa Festival & Competition
July 26 • 8am to 12pm
Aptos Farmers Market, Cabrillo College
831-728-5060 • www.montereybayfarmers.org
A summer festival with a south-of-the-border theme will include a salsa-making competition, music & dancing.

36th Annual Wharf to Wharf Race
July 27 • 8:30am
Santa Cruz to Capitola
831-420-5663 • www.wharftowharf.com
6-mile seaside run, from SC Municipal wharf to the Capitola Wharf, limited to 15,000 runners.

Moss Landing Antique Street Fair
July 27 • 7:30am
Downtown Moss Landing
831-633-4501
Browse through thousands of antiques and collectibles and enjoy a pancake breakfast. Free admission.

Cabrillo Festival of Contemporary Music
July 28-31
Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium, 307 Church St., Santa Cruz
Hailed as the most distinguished festival of new symphonic music in the US.

Monterey Bay Strawberry Festival
August 1-3 • Noon - 4pm
Ramsey Park, 1255 Main Street, Watsonville
831-768-3266 • www.mbsf.com
This multi-faceted celebration will serve up a menu of strawberry delights, non-stop entertainment, contests & more.

Santa Clara County Fair
August 1-3
Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Road, San Jose
408 494-3100 • www.mbsf.com
This year's fair centers around livestock competitions. Call for prices and times.

Monterey Beer Festival
August 2 • 12:30 to 5pm
Monterey Fair Grounds
www.nightthatneverends.com
The greatest assortment of beer ever assembled on the Central Coast. Sample varied styles from over 50 breweries. Light, dark, ales, bitters, cider, mead, Belgian, German, Japanese, every style

Cabrillo Music, Art, Food & Wine Festival
August 2 & 3 • 11am to 8pm
Downtown Santa Cruz
83l- 426- 6966 • www.cabrillomusic.org
Two days of outdoor world music and dancing with free art and music workshops for kids. Over 50 art and craft vendors. Free. Church St. in front of Civic Auditorium.

11th Annual Turkish Festival
August 2 & 3 • 11am to 6pm
Custom House Plaza, Monterey
www.oldmonterey.org
A celebration of Turkish culture and arts, featuring live music and folk dances, dance workshops, belly dancing, crafts, delicious food, and activities for children.

Antiques & Collectible Flea Market
August 3 • 8am–5pm
Downtown San Juan Bautista
831 623-2454
Eight blocks of vintage treasures for sale. Free.

Shady Shakespeare
August 7 - September 14 • Thu–Sun 7pm
Sanborn Park, 16055 Sanborn Road, Saratoga
The 2008 season features Twelfth Night and The Comedy of Errors. Free.

Northern California Blue Grass Festival
August 8 to 10
Bolado Park, 9000 Airline Hwy., Tres Pinos
www.scbs.org/GOF2008
This is a small festival with the amenities of a much larger event. A no-hassle, laid-back experience with no lines for anything. 2 stages, shaded audience area, flushy restrooms, hotw ater showers, quality sound, professional children’s activities. Great music.

21st Annual Street Festival & Sidewalk Sale
August 9 • 10am to 5pm
www.downtownhollister.org/streetfestival.php
Includes a car show featuring over 125 “cool rides,” downtown merchant sidewalk sale, local non-profit and business information booths, food booths sponsored by local restaurants and local non-profit organizations, free watermelon, 4 stages with live music and entertainment. And a jump house area for kids!

Scotts Valley Art & Wine Festival
August 9 & 10 • 10 am to 6pm
Skypark, 361 King Village Rd., Scotts Valley
83l-438-1010 • www.scottsvalleychamber.com
Relax & enjoy the artwork of over l00 local artists accompanied by food, wine, music. Children’s activities. Free.

31st Annual International Musical Saw Festival
August 9 & 10
Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton
www.roaringcamp.com
Too much to tell you here about this Free event. Listen to old time fiddlers play Blue Grass, Classical and Country music on musical saws at workshops, open mic and jam sessions. Musicians perform on washboards and spoons, harmonicas and accordians, guitars, banjos and otherfolk instruments from around the world family gatherings.

Monterey County Fair
August 12-17
www.montereycountyfair.com
Three stages of entertainment, carnival rides and games, pony rides, children's art and activities area, food from around the world, the Food and Wine Pavilion with enticing cooking demonstrations, and wine tasting. View the wonderful hand-made exhibits and experience our livestock shows up close.

Full Moon Madness
August 16
Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park, Felton
831-335-4598 • www.santacruzstateparks.org
Take a docent-led walk through the Redwood Grove. Learn about stars & creatures of the night.

Aloha Races and Polynesian Festival
August 17 • 11am to 5pm
Municipal Wharf, Santa Cruz
83l-420-5273 • www.santaruzwharf.com
Novice paddlers discover the excitement of outrigger canoe, festival features island music, dance, crafts and culture. Races 9am.

56th Annual Capitola Begonia Festival
August 29-September 1
Main Beach and Soquel Creek, Capitola Village
83l-476-3566 • www.begoniafestival.com
A nautical parade, sand sculpture competition, a movie on the beach, and more.

14th Annual Arts, Crafts & Music Festival
August 30 - September 1 • 9am to 6pm
Casa de Fruta, Pacheco Pass Hwy, Hollister
Free event features pottery, leatherwork, wood crafts, stained glass, dolla and much more. Entertainment throughout the day.

13th Annual Monterey Bay ReggaeFest
August 29 - 31
Monterey
www.mbayreggaefest.net
Reggae artists fill two stages over two days at the Monterey County Fairgrounds. Also great island cooking, arts and crafts, kids play area, Reggae Lounge and a Rastafari Museum of Culture.

27th Annual Greek Culture & Food Festival
September 5-7 • Fri 5-11pm, Sat 11am-10pm, Sun 12-8pm
223 Church St., Santa Cruz
831-429-6500
Features traditional Greek foods & pastries. Live Greek music & dancing.

Free Friday Night Bands on the Beach
June 20 - August 29 • 6:30 & 8:30 pm
Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
831.423.5590 • www.beachboardwalk.com
Two free live concerts every Friday night with stars of the 70's and 80's.

1907 Nights at the Boardwalk
June 23 - August 31• Mondays & Tuesdays 5pm - close
Beach Boardwalk, Santa Cruz
831.423.5590 • www.beachboardwalk.com
Take advantage of old-fashioned prices.

Enjoy your summer!