Around The Region

Modesto

REPUBLICAN PARTY GRAND OLD PICNIC

WHEN: Saturday; gates open 4 p.m.; dinner 5:15 p.m.; program 6 p.m.
WHERE: Nick and Els Blom Ranch, 2613 Illinois Ave.
INFO: Dinner includes tri-tip, hot dogs, salad, beans, chips and brownies. Program: Meg Whitman, candidate for governor; Chuck DeVore, candidate for U.S. Senate; Sen. Jeff Denham, candidate for lieutenant governor; Barbara Alby, candidate for Board of Equalization, plus local candidates and elected officials. Activities for kids: bounce house, sno cones and more. Music by Steve Trapp. Tickets are $20 per person; $50 for a family of three or more. For reservations and more information, call 571-8118 or go to www.stanislausgop.org.

COMMUNITY PRIDE CELEBRATION

WHEN: Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
WHERE: Graceada Park, Sycamore and Needham streets
INFO: This year's theme is "Right to Love." The celebration of gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender pride will feature live music, entertainment, food, family and fun. For more information, call 527-0776 or visit www.spcpride.org.

GREEK FOOD FESTIVAL

WHEN: Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday
WHERE: Greek Orthodox Church of the Annunciation, 313 Tokay Ave.
INFO: Authentic Greek dinner, homemade pastries, take-out dinners, church tours, Agora, marketplace, coffee house with live Greek music and entertainment. Tickets $12 advance, $15 at the door, $7.50 children 12 and younger. For more information, call 522-7694.

Groveland

GROVELAND 49ER FESTIVAL

WHEN: Saturday, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
INFO: The parade is on Main Street, and at Wayside Park there will be food, vendor booths, raffle, live and silent auction, kids activities, skateboard competitions, Wii Game Stage, fashion show and live music on two stages. For more information, call 962-6455.

Newman

HOUSE OF FLOYD

WHEN: Saturday, 8 p.m.
WHERE: West Side Theatre, 1331 Main St.
INFO: A Pink Floyd tribute band performs. Tickets are $19 to $22. For more information, call 862-4490 or visit www.westsidetheatre.org.

Ripon

VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS LUAU

WHEN: Saturday, 2 to 7 p.m. dunking; 4 to 6 p.m. dinner; 6 to 11 p.m. dancing
WHERE: Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1051, 12455 W. Ripon Road
INFO: Dinner, dancing and a dunk tank. Music by DJ Alan. Proceeds from the dunk tank go to the Ladies Auxiliary Iraq fund. Tickets are $10. For more information, call 599-6815.

Sonora

WING DING CAR SHOW & GRAPE STOMP

WHEN: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
WHERE: Junction Shopping Center, Highway 108 and Tuolumne Road
INFO: A free event with cars, pit crew challenge, poker walk, food available for purchase and more. Presented by the Tuolumne Chamber of Commerce. For more information, call 532-4212.

QUILTS AND THREADS SHOW

WHEN: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
WHERE: Mother Lode Fairgrounds, 220 Southgate Drive
INFO: Door prizes, vendors, Sierra needle artists, Mother Lode weavers and spinners and quilts. Tickets are $7. For more information, visit www.sierraquiltguild.com.

Stevinson

DINNER AND CASINO NIGHT

WHEN: Saturday, 6 p.m. social hour; 7 p.m. dinner; 10 p.m. casino
WHERE: Double T Ranch, 22368 W. Second St.
INFO: Proceeds benefit Hilmar FFA and 4-H programs, scholarships and leadership conferences. Presented by the Hilmar-Stevinson Ag Boosters; tickets are $25. For more information, call 667-8366.

Turlock

MUIR'S MOUNTAIN TALES

WHEN: Sunday, doors open at 1:30 p.m.; show 2 to 4 p.m.
WHERE: California State University, Stanislaus, Mainstage Theatre, 1 University Circle
INFO: Lee Strawn, an actor from the Bay Area, will entertain listeners with authentic stories and songs from John Muir's memoirs. Proceeds will benefit student scholarships; tickets are $8 to $10. For more information, call 667-3166.

Send Region items to Region, The Modesto Bee, P.O. Box 5256, Modesto 95352; call 578-2330; fax 578-2207; or e-mail region@modbee.com.