Spring festivals have sprung in and around Modesto

Sure, it felt like spring sprung sometime in January this year, but actually, it officially began just a little over a week ago. As the calendar leads us into another month, something a little more predictable than the weather will arrive – a bevy of spring festivals.

April and May will bloom with fests and fairs across the Modesto region and Mother Lode, including some of the biggest and most popular, such as the Oakdale Chocolate Festival, the Calaveras County Fair & Jumping Frog Jubilee and the Modesto Family Cycling Festival and Criterium (all on the same weekend!).

The next two months will offer all that and more, with Cinco De Mayo, music, Earth Day, food, kites, butterflies and brews all being celebrated. Here’s a look at some of the events coming up:

Oakdale Testicle Festival

Monday, March 30: 34th annual event presented by Oakdale Rotary and Oakdale Cowboy Museum. Rocky mountain oysters, hosted bar, raffle, live auction and more. 6 p.m. F.E.S. Hall, 190 N. Lee, Oakdale. $65 advanced; $75 door. (209) 847-7049. www.oakdaletesticlefestival.com.

Cesar E. Chavez Family Day Celebration

Saturday, April 4: City of Modesto presents 19th annual celebration of the life and legacy of Cesar E. Chavez. Speeches, poetry, cultural dances and community resources. Refreshments provided. Noon-3 p.m. Cesar Chavez Park’s Maddux Youth Center, 619 Sierra Drive, Modesto. Free. (209) 341-2951.

Modesto Unplugged Music Festival

April 10-12: Artists from the region and around the country will share the stage offering bluegrass, folk, Americana, country, world music and more. Prospect Theater Project, 1214 K St., April 10 at 6 p.m., $20; and April 11, 3 p.m., $30; Center Stage Conservatory, 948 11th St., April 12 at noon, $20. Gold passes $50. www.modestounplugged.com.

Kite Festival

April 12: Fourth annual event featuring kite flying, competition, crafting and entertainment. Merced County Sheriff’s Department will display crime-fighting tools including a Robertson R44 Raven II helicopter and 1973 UH-1H Vietnam-era Huey helicopter, SWAT armored vehicle, “Bearcat,” and water rescue boat. First 500 kids receive a free kite. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Livingston Middle School, 101 F St., Livingston. Free. (209) 277-1402. www.livingstonkitefestival.com.

Earth Day

April 18: Live entertainment, free electronic waste and CRV recycling, trash formation art contest, food vendors and green education. Free StaRT bus transportation to and from the park every 20 minutes. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Graceada Park, Sycamore and Needham streets, Modesto. Free. www.modestogov.com/earthday.

Fly-In and Open House

April 18: Open house with food, aircraft and classic-car displays, Calaveras Community Band, airplane rides and more. Free admission; airplane rides $5 for children, $10 general. 8 a.m.-5 p.m., Calaveras County Airport. 3600 Carol Kennedy Road, San Andreas. (209) 736-2501.

Sonora Spring Festival

April 25: Arts and crafts, live music, street entertainment, hair and fashion show, antique fire truck display, activities for children and more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Downtown Sonora. Free. (209) 532-7725. www.sonoraca.com.

Delhi Multicultural Festival

April 25: Sixth annual event, with food, fun and entertainment. 1-8 p.m. Delhi High School, 16881 Schendel Ave. (209) 632-2436.

Gold Country Peddler’s Faire

April 26: Historic Knights Ferry Gold Country Peddler’s Faire features antiques, collectibles, crafts and more than 100 dealers. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Knights Ferry Recreation Area, 17968 Covered Bridge Road. Free. (209) 480-3602.

Taste of Calaveras

April 26: A celebration of the wine, food, art and culture of Calaveras County. Calaveras artists art show, local entertainers and demonstrations held throughout the day. Noon-4 p.m. CAMPS Restaurant, 676 McCauley Ranch Road, Angels Camp. Tickets, $40 advance, $50 at the door, include a collector wine glass. www.tasteofcalaveras.com.

Merced County Spring Fair

April 29-May 3: Live music, animal attractions, Destruction Derby, circus acts, bull riding, motocross, truck and tractor pulls, kids activities, midway, food and more. Merced County Spring Fairgrounds, 403 F St., Los Banos. $3-$9. Hours vary by day, see www.co.merced.ca.us or call (209) 826-5166.

Mariposa Butterfly Festival

May 1-3: Butterfly releases, parade, children’s activities, entertainment and more. Weekend begins at Taste of Mariposa, 5 p.m. Friday at Mariposa County Fairgrounds. Parade 10 a.m. Saturday; festival runs 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. in Downtown Mariposa, Highway 140 at Highway 149. PBS “Nova” documentary “The Incredible Journey of the Butterflies” screenings at 1 and 3 p.m. at Mariposa County High School on Saturday. www.mariposabutterflyfestival.net.

Ceres Street Faire

May 2-3: Live entertainment, car and truck show, food booths, crafts and collectibles, exhibits and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday in downtown Ceres. Free. www.ceresstreetfaire.org.

Cinco De Mayo Parade and Festival

May 2-3: Parade May 2, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hatch Road from Glenn Avenue; free. May 3 festival will feature food, live entertainment with local and other artists, mariachi music, kids activities and more. 1-7 p.m. Ticket price TBA. For more, email calpromo08@yahoo.com.

Central Valley Brewfest

May 9: Featuring more than 125 beers to sample, food trucks on site, music by Flying Blind, along with art from Art Expressions of San Joaquin. This is a 21-and-older event. 1-5 p.m. Stanislaus County Fairground, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock. $30 advanced; $35 door; $15 for designated drivers. (209) 614-8148. www.cvbrewfest.com.

Waterford Western Heritage Day

May 9: Waterford celebrates history with antiques and collectibles, arts and crafts vendors, antique engines and motors, food and drinks. Bands play on stage, kids zone with train. Parade 10 a.m.; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Downtown Waterford. Free. (209) 874-1028.

Mother Lode Round-Up

May 9-10: Parade and Rodeo sponsored by the Tuolumne County Sheriff’s Posse. Saturday will feature a parade in historic downtown Sonora on Washington Street. Saturday and Sunday events include Western dancing, barbecue and rodeo at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Sunday will include a Mother’s Day Brunch. (209) 928-9318 or www.motherloderoundup.com.

Calaveras County Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee

May 14-17: Annual jumping frog competition and county fair with food, exhibits, entertainment, rodeo, Destruction Derby, livestock, arena events, vendor booths and more. Asleep at the Wheel performs Friday. 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday and Sunday, 8 a.m.-midnight Friday and Saturday. Calaveras County Fairgrounds, 2465 Gun Club Road, Angels Camp. $5-$12. www.frogtown.org.

Family Cycling Festival and Criterium

May 16: Cycling fest features free children’s bike helmets, BMX stunt shows, obstacle courses and races, bounce houses, rock climbing wall, face painting and more. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. I Street, between 10th and 12th streets. Free. (209) 571-5193. Criterium runs in conjunction with the festival and offers a variety of race categories from beginner and child to professional. Races begin and end at the corner of 13th and I streets. 6 a.m.-4 p.m. (209) 606-6414.

Oakdale Chocolate Festival

May 16-17: 23rd annual festival with arts and crafts, Chocolate Avenue, food, fun runs, kids activities, vendors, entertainment and more. 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Wood Park, Highways 120 and 108, Oakdale. Tickets $4 advance, $6 at the door; free ages 12 and under. www.oakdalechamber.com.

All Things Muir Festival

May 16: Sixth annual event celebrates John Muir’s historic visits to Yosemite in 1869 and 1889 before Yosemite became a national park. Entertainment, activities and food, along with open house at Art Gallery on Main Street for “Yosemite Tapestries” exhibit. Events in vicinity of Main Street in Coulterville. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (209) 878-3501. http://johnmuir.us/jmgc-events.

Cafe Shalom

May 3: Jewish food, bake shop, cultural arts, craft fair, dance and music. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Congregation Beth Shalom, 1705 Sherwood Ave., Modesto. Free admission, brunch tickets $10 advance, $12 door; $8 children. (209) 571-6060.

Spring Peddlers Faire

May 23-24: More than 60 booths of antiques, collectibles, handcrafted items, foods, vintage jewelry and more. The Volunteer Fire Department serves local beers and a variety of home-made food. Lion’s Club holds an all-you-can eat $6 pancake breakfast both days from 8-11 a.m. Faire is 9 a.m. 4 p.m. both days. Free. Downtown Arnold. www.gocalaveras.com.

Twain Harte A La Carte

May 30: Sip wine and enjoy gourmet food in downtown Twain Harte and this annual event benefiting the community projects of Soroptimist of Twain Harte. Silent auction, live auction, raffle and more. Meadow Plaza, 23000 Meadow Lane. 5-7 p.m. $35. Call 209-928-1616.

This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Spring festivals have sprung in and around Modesto."