Big Turlock celebration is moving this year. See why, when to be there

As summer quickly approaches, also come some of the greater Modesto region’s popular annual celebrations.

And, yes, the monthlong Graffiti Summer blowout returns in June as well, but look for details on that in a separate story.

This year’s Carnegie Arts Center Block Party is moving from the streets around the Turlock gallery to a downtown park. The switch puts a trio of community events that day near one another, according to Lisa McDermott, the arts center’s director.

“While we were drawing 500-plus people to our event every year at the CAC, we knew that on any summer Saturday, families might be choosing between us and the Turlock Certified Farmers Market on East Main and another makers market that happens on West Main,” she said in an email. “Moving our event to Central Park — located between the two — connects the three events and will make for a great community vibe.”

Also planned for the month are celebrations of the Juneteenth national holiday in Modesto, Riverbank and Lathrop, as well as apricots, lumber and more.

Here’s a look at just some of what’s coming up in the greater Modesto area for June:

PATTERSON APRICOT FIESTA – May 30-June 1: This annual celebration has a craft fair, food and beer booths, live entertainment, a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, a kids zone and more. There will be fireworks at dusk Saturday. Festival hours are 5-11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Downtown Patterson. apricotfiesta.com.

HILMAR DAIRY & FARM FESTIVAL – June 7: Hilmar’s annual event has Little Milkman and Milkmaid contests, food and craft vendors. There will be fireworks at dusk. 5-10 p.m. Hilmar High football field, 7807 N. Lander Ave., Hilmar. hilmarchamber.com.

MODESTO JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION – June 14: The King-Kennedy Memorial Center Board of Directors will celebrate Juneteenth during a “We Shall Rise” festival that includes live entertainment with Valley Rhythm Section, food vendors, games and more. 1-6 p.m. Graceada Park, 401 Needham St., Modesto. 209-568-3643.

CARNEGIE ARTS CENTER BLOCK PARTY – June 14: This annual community event for all ages moves from outside the arts center to a Turlock park this year. Creative activities, live music and more will be available. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Central Park, downtown Turlock. Free. carnegieartsturlock.org.

SKIES THE LIMIT HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL – June 14: The annual Ceres fest will go on, weather permitting. The schedule has balloons lifting off beginning at 6 a.m. Tethered rides will be offered to the public for $10. There will be food trucks, vendors, live music. 5 a.m.-noon. River Bluff Regional Park, 3761 Hatch Road, Ceres. Free to attend. 209-538-5628.

SLAVERY REMEMBRANCE DAY – June 14: Silver Square Lodge #66/Creators Club of Modesto offers a “Never Be Forgotten, Never Be Repeated Train Ride Back In Time” to Allensworth Historical State Park. The train departs from the Modesto Amtrak station at 7:30 a.m., and returns at 4:30 p.m. Attendees will enjoy food, vendors and live music, along with a guided town tour that highlights significant aspects of Black history. Train fare is $27 round trip. Calling ahead for reservations is recommended, 209-595-6966. www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100088708692266.

FREEDOM TRAIL WALK-A-THON – June 19: Silver Square Lodge will hold a second “Never Be Forgotten, Never Be Repeated” event with a walk, luncheon, dinner and program. The walk from 9-11 a.m. will be along the Helen White Trail in Modesto, meeting at Martin Luther King Drive and California Avenue. After the walk will be several events at Modesto Centre Plaza’s Arbor Theater, 1000 L St. A lunch will be offered noon-1 p.m. From 1-5 p.m., a youth symposium and rally will take place, featuring a tribute to Col. Allen Allensworth and Prince Hall through films, lectures, music and dancing. After the youth event, participants will receive certificates for free backpacks. A dinner and program will be held 5-6 p.m., followed by a concert featuring Darnell Robinson from 7-11 p.m. Donation for the slate of activities is $75, which will go toward student scholarships. 209-595-6966.

RIVERBANK JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION – June 19: “A Day of Family Fun: Juneteenth Celebrating Freedom” marks another community holiday event. The day will feature activities for children, food, bands, DJs, vendors, gospel singers, cultural performances, educational exhibits, a Black business expo and community resource information. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Riverbank Community Center, 3600 Santa Fe St. 209-568-3643.

LATHROP JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION – June 19: The Lathrop Juneteenth Heritage Committee presents its third annual event with vendors, food trucks, live music, spoken word and games for kids. 4:30-8:30 p.m. Lathrop Generations Center, 450 Spartan Way. Free, reserve at www.lathropjuneteenth.us.

TUOLUMNE LUMBER JUBILEE – June 20-22: The annual fest celebrates the logging industry with vendors, a carnival, parade, music, logging contests and more, ending with a tug-of-war at 5:30 p.m. Sunday. See website for times. West Side Memorial Park, Tuolumne. motherlodetimbersports.org/tuolumne-lumber-jubilee.

MOTHER LODE FAIR – June 26-29: The fair in Sonora promises all-ages fun with plenty of activities, including a carnival. In the arena will be an ATV & Moto Rodeo on Friday, and truck and tractor pulls Saturday and Sunday. There will be live bands on stage all four days, food, livestock and more. 3-11 p.m. Thursday-Friday; 1-11 p.m. Saturday-Sunday. Mother Lode Fairgrounds, 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora. $10-$17, free ages 5 and under; separate costs for carnival; arena and music included in ticket price. motherlodefair.org.

INDEPENDENCE CELEBRATION – June 27-28: The Turlock Downtown Property Owners Association holds an early Independence Day event featuring a car show and parade. A drone show is also tentatively planned. Opening ceremonies are at 6 p.m. Friday at Central Park before a parade begins at 6:30 p.m., with the drone show, if held, at 9 p.m. On Saturday, there will be a car show, farmers market and a makers market from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Downtown Turlock. www.turlockdowntown.com/event.