June fun heats up across Modesto region

Get your summer motor running, folks, because June is nearly here with a bevy of festivals and fairs in tow.

The coming weeks are prime time to get out of the house for an array of events, not the least of which is the annual monthlong Modesto Graffiti Summer celebration.

That fete of cars, sock hops and the early 1960s is the region’s annual salute to George Lucas and his film homage to his teenage years in Modesto, “American Graffiti.”

But June holds much more than nostalgic nods to doo-wop and cruising. It’s filled with blowouts of all sorts, including perennial favorites like the Patterson Apricot Fiesta, the Scottish Highland Games, Juneteenth and more. Here’s a look at some of the larger events in store:

Diggins Tent Town 1852

Today, May 28, through Sunday, May 31

Columbia State Historic Park presents the annual living history event. Costumed volunteers re-enact life in an 1850s mining camp. There will be period dress, food and entertainment as the stories of the early miners come to life. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. each day. Columbia State Historic Park, 11255 Jackson St., Columbia. $5 general, $1 children under 12. (209) 588-9128 or www.parks.ca.gov/Columbia.

Apricot Fiesta

Friday through Sunday, May 29-31

Patterson’s 45th annual celebration of the summer crop returns with a farm equipment show, downtown vendors, food booths, parade at 10 a.m. on Saturday, kids games and teen zone, historical displays and live entertainment. 5-11 p.m. Friday, 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Downtown Patterson. (209) 892-3118.

Pick and Gather Festival and Merced River Fair

Saturday, May 30-Sunday, May 31

New to this annual organic farm festival and river fair are three kayak excursions, two on Saturday and one on Sunday, featuring two-hour guided tours down the Merced River. Also planned are activities for children in art, science and nature. There will be live music on three stages, dance and storytelling, food, demos, storytelling, artisans, dancers, a farmers and craft market, alternative energy showcase and more. 10 a.m. to dark Saturday, $10 general, $5 children and seniors; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, $5 general, $2 children and seniors. River Dance Farms, 12230 Livingston Cressey Road, Livingston. riverdancefarms.com.

Twain Harte A La Carte

Saturday, May 30

A celebration of wines and gourmet foods under the pines, this annual event is a fundraiser by Soroptimist International of Twain Harte to benefit the region’s charities. There will be a wine and food tastings, silent auction, raffles and a live auction. $40. 5-7 p.m. Meadow Plaza, Meadow Lane, Twain Harte. (209) 928-1616.

Modesto Scottish Highland Games and Celtic Festival

June 6

34th annual games presented by Modesto St. Andrews Society. This family festival celebrates all things Celtic, with nods to the Scottish, Irish, Cornish, Norwegian and Welsh cultures. The annual fest features athletic events, bagpipers, Celtic music, children’s games, dancing, heritage and history information, Avenue of the Clans, a California challenge shinty match, vendors, food and beverage booths. Tuolumne River Regional Park. $15, free ages 10 and under. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. standrewsmodesto.org.

Royal Flush Crapper Derby & Craft Faire

June 6

Presented by Twain Harte Rotary. A parade begins at 9 a.m. before the outhouse races. There will be a Mr. & Mrs. Tidy Bowl Contest, Toilet Seat Toss, children’s activities as well as crafts, food and live music. Event is 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at Eproson Park, 22901 Meadow Drive, Twain Harte. Free. (209) 586-1225.

Merced County Fair

June 10-14

Livestock exhibits, grandstand events, carnival games, rides and food. Concert artists include 7eventh Time Down, Tower of Power, John Lee Hooker Jr., Aaron Tippin and Tierra. 5 p.m. to 12:30 a.m. Wednesday-Friday; 3 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. Merced County Fairgrounds, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. $7 ages 6 years and over; parking $5. (209) 722-1506. mercedcountyfair.com.

Reggae in the Hills

June 12-14

Three-day music festival features a variety of bands including Ky-Mani Marley, Don Carlos, Bushman and Sister Carol at the Calaveras County Fairgrounds. Food and camping available. Tickets $45-$250, with three-day general admission pass for $130. reggaeinthehills.com.

Juneteenth celebration

June 19-20

Festivities include a talent show on Friday, speakers, gospel singers, bands, cultural performances, educational exhibits, a black business expo, community resource information booths and children activities. 6-8 p.m. June 19, 10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 20. King-Kennedy Memorial Center at Mellis Park, 601 S. Martin Luther King Drive. (209) 522-6902.

Art, Wine and Jazz Festival

June 20

Wild Wonders of Calaveras event features local artists, live music and art competition, show and sale. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Copperopolis Town Square, 100 Town Square Road, Copperopolis. Free. (209) 785-2050.

Father’s Day Kick Off Summer Party

June 21

Music featuring Mr. Pinstripe, vendors and barbecue. 11 a.m. St. George Hotel, 16104 Main St., Volcano. More details TBA. (209) 296-4458.

Tuolumne Lumber Jubilee

June 25-28

The 66th annual event celebrates the logging industry with vendors, carnival, parade, games, music, arm-wrestling, ax-throwing competition, logging contests, tug-of-war, and more. 3-10 p.m. June 25, 3-11 p.m. June 26, 11 a.m.-11 p.m. June 27, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. June 28. Tuolumne Memorial Park, Tuolumne. Free; charge for carnival attractions. (209) 352-4698.

Hilmar Dairy Festival

June 27

The annual bovine blowout features entertainment, art, activities, Little Milkman and Milkmaid contest, a car show, exhibits, vendors and fireworks. 5-10 p.m. Hilmar High football field, 7807 N. Lander Ave., Hilmar. Free. www.hilmarchamber.com.

Charity Classic Car Show

June 27

Murphys-Angels Lions Club eighth annual show features classic cars, 1980 and older, at shaded Utica Park in Angels Camp. There will be awards, drawings, DJ music, vendors and food and drink for sale. Free for spectators. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Utica Park, 1000 S. Main St., Angels Camp. (209) 728-9971.

Graffiti Summer

There’s a host of events celebrating Graffiti Summer again this year. Below is a quick glance at the main celebrations; more details will run later this month in The Bee:

▪ “American Graffiti” film screening, June 6 at the State Theatre

▪ Hopping at the Hangar sock hop, June 6, Modesto Airport, 700 Tioga Drive

▪ “So Good for the Soul” Motown show, June 6, Gallo Center for the Arts

▪ Graffiti Classic Car Show, June 7, McHenry Village

▪ Mid-Valley Chevy Club Car Shows, June 8-11, various locations

▪ Historic Graffiti Cruise Route Presentation, June 10, Tenth Street Plaza

▪ MoBand Concert with music of the 1950s-60s, June 11, Graceada Park

▪ Kiwanis American Graffiti Car Parade, June 12, starts downtownn Modesto

▪ American Graffiti Car Show and Festival, June 13-14, Municipal Golf Course

▪ Elvis Tribute, June 13, State Theatre

▪ Back to Graffiti fest, June 19-20, Fruit Yard

▪ Modesto Nuts Graffiti Night, June 20, John Thurman Field

▪ Sing-along “Grease,” June 20, State Theatre

▪ Rod and Custom Car Show, June 28, Elks Lodge

This story was originally published May 27, 2015 at 11:03 AM with the headline "June fun heats up across Modesto region."