Tony Award winner coming to Modesto’s Gallo Center. When and how to get tickets
A Broadway award-winning play, “The Putnam County Spelling Bee,” will be presented at the Gallo Center for the Arts in Modesto by the downtown venue’s repertory company. There also will be festivals, fairs and other entertainment options from May 10-16.
“Putnam County Spelling Bee”
Gallo Center Repertory Company presents the Tony Award-winning “The Putnam County Spelling Bee.” In the play, six youths compete in a spelling championship. “While candidly disclosing hilarious and touching stories from their home lives, the tweens spell their way through a series of (potentially made-up) words, hoping never to hear the soul-crushing, pout-inducing, life un-affirming ‘ding’ of the bell that signals a spelling mistake,” according to the Gallo Center’s website.
WHEN: 7 p.m. May 10, May 16; 2 p.m. May 11, May 17-18
WHERE: Gallo Center for the Arts, 1000 I St., Modesto
TICKETS: $33-$53
ONLINE: www.galloarts.org
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Brewfest
There will more than 150 brews to sample at this year’s Central Valley Brewfest at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds. The festival also features art and music. There will be a VIP wine sampling tent from noon to 1 p.m., featuring a Pink Boots Society collaboration brew. Nonprofit Pink Boots Inc. raises funds to support women in the beverage industry. Must be 21 or older to attend the festival.
WHEN: 1-5 p.m. May 10
WHERE: Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, 900 N. Broadway
TICKETS: $45 in advance, $55 at the door if still available; VIP tickets $65, in advance only. Designated-driver tickets $25 in advance, $30 at the door.
ONLINE: www.cvbrewfest.com
Mother Lode Roundup
Two days of events highlight the Mother Lode Roundup in Sonora. Put on by the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Posse, there will be a parade Saturday in downtown at 10 a.m., with PRCA rodeos both days. A Kiddie Rodeo will be held Sunday at 12:30 p.m. Also Sunday is a Mother’s Day breakfast at 7 a.m.
WHEN: Events begin 10 a.m. May 10, 7 a.m. May 11
WHERE: Mother Lode Fairgrounds, 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora
TICKETS: Rodeo $25 general, $10 ages 7-12, free for age 6 and under
ONLINE: www.motherloderoundup.com
Columbia Diggins
Columbia State Historic Park’s annual living-history event, Columbia Diggins, returns to the Mother Lode. The annual event features 150 costumed volunteers re-creating historic activities at the park. Visitors can experience an 1852 mining camp, with period clothing and activities.
WHEN: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 15-18
WHERE: Diggins Tent Town (near the main parking lot) at Columbia State Historic Park
TICKETS: $10 general, free for age 17 and under
ONLINE: www.parks.ca.gov/Columbia
Jumping frogs
The frogs will be hopping the annual Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee in Angels Camp. The fair also offers a carnival, food, entertainment, rodeo, destruction derby, livestock, vendors and more.
WHEN: 8 a.m.-11 p.m. May 15; 8 a.m.-midnight May 16-17; 7 a.m.-11 p.m. May 18
WHERE: Calaveras County Fairgrounds, 2465 Gun Club Road, Angels Camp
TICKETS: $13-$18
ONLINE: www.frogtown.org
Evening in Versailles
The gala fundraiser An Evening in Versailles will benefit the local Community Hospice & Health Services Foundation. The event includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, dinner and a program, along with silent and live auctions at the Mark Gallo Health and Fitness Center in Modesto. Seating is limited and formal or cocktail attire is encouraged.
WHEN: 5 p.m. May 10
WHERE: Mark Gallo Health and Fitness Center, 200 S. Carpenter Road, Modesto
TICKETS: $225
ONLINE: chfevents@hospicheart.org
This story was originally published May 7, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
