Upcoming fests wind down summer, herald fall

No. Fall is not in the air.

Summer definitely remains wafting through the Central Valley, and the heat isn’t likely to float away anytime soon. While summer overstays its welcome, however, fall unofficially takes over the calendar with Labor Day weekend in just over a week.

With that, regional festivals that pay homage to the coming autumn will sprout up. Following is a rundown of the bigger festivals planned across the Valley and Mother Lode now through September.

Sierra View Music Festival – Aug. 29: Seventh annual fest will feature music by Craig Morgan, Frankie Ballard, Love and Theft and McKenna Faith. Food and drink vendors. Held in remembrance of musician Heidi Brunk to raise funds for the Heidi Brunk Foundation and Music Scholarship. Gates open at 2 p.m.; music starts at 3 p.m. $40. JH Ranch, 12713 Sierra View Road, Oakdale. 209-247-6069, www.sierraviewmusicfest.com.

Smoke On The River – Aug. 29: A barbecue competition combines with a music festival for this event from the Ceres Chamber of Commerce. Live music from Greg Scudder and the Beer:30, the Black Rose Band, Highway 99 Band and Patty Castillo-Davis. $5-10 advance, $7-15 at the gate. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuolumne River Lodge, 2429 River Road, Modesto. 209-537-2601.

Assyrian Festival – Aug. 29-30: This new fest is a joint venture from Central Valley and Bay Area dioceses of the Holy Apostolic Catholic Assyrian Church of the East with traditional food, historical exhibits, live entertainment and more. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Free. Stanislaus County Fairgrounds, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock. www.cvassyrianfestival.com or 209-634-7096.

Newman Fall Festival – Aug. 30-Sept. 7: This annual weeklong festival celebrates Newman heritage – and gets the ball rolling into the Labor Day fall festival kickoff. On various days, the event features kids games; live entertainment; food and craft vendors; a Soroptimist Fall Fashion Show; “An Evening Under the Stars” wine and cheese event; a community parade through downtown Newman; tournaments; theater performance; dance contest and more. Pioneer Park, 1250 Tulare St., Newman. 209-451-2815.

Color the Skies Hot Air Balloon and Kite Festival – Sept. 5-6: The 10th annual festival runs 6 a.m. to 3 p.m. both days, with tethered balloon rides beginning around 8 a.m. (depending on the weather). The 5K and 10K runs begin at 8 a.m., and the children’s fun runs begin at 9:30 a.m. There also will be a carnival, fly-over, sky divers, entertainment Friday and Saturday nights, kite shows, train rides, food and more. $20 presale, $30 at the event. Proceeds benefit the Ripon community and Valley Children’s Hospital. Mistlin Sports Park, Ripon. www.riponchamber.org/chamber_foundation/color_the_skies.aspx.

Cedar Center Arts & Crafts Festival – Sept. 5-6: The 43rd annual fest features original art and crafts in all media, gourmet foods, face painting, live country and swing music by Home Grown and juggling by Michael Taylor. Pancake breakfast 7:30-11 a.m. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Cedar Center, 1225 Oak Circle, Arnold. Free.

Edible Extravaganza – Sept. 3: Center for Human Services 29th annual fundraising event will feature local restaurants, caterers, bakers, confectioners, vintners, beverage purveyors and local growers. 5 p.m. reception; 6-9 p.m. main event. Modesto Centre Plaza, 1000 L St. $45 advance; $50 door. 209-526-1476.

Admission Day Parade and Celebration – Sept. 5: Parade, town tours, fashion show. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Columbia State Historic Park, Main and State streets, Columbia. Free. www.visitcolumbiacalifornia.com.

Women of the West Film Festival – Sept. 11: Inaugural WOW Film Fest designed to tell women’s stories. Reception with food, a no-host bar and live music before films. Reception 5:30 p.m., films 6:30 p.m. $12. State Theatre, 1307 J St., Modesto. 209-527-4697.

Denair Farm and Family Festival – Sept. 12: More than 100 food and craft vendors, as well as live entertainment, classic-car show, antique farm equipment, petting zoo and more. 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Downtown Denair. www.denairfestival.com.

MoPride – Sept. 12: LGBT and LGBT-friendly vendors, food and drink, beer garden, teen garden, kids zone games and entertainment. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Graceada Park, 401 Needham Ave., Modesto. www.mopride.org or 209-605-6685.

Modesto International Architecture Festival – Sept. 12-20: Nine days of more than 100 events that include tours, exhibits, international movies, bike rides, workshops, speakers, installations, kids activities and special events. Events held at various locations at various times; most admission free. www.modestoarchfest.com.

Assyrian Food Festival – Sept. 12-13: Authentic food, music, dance, arts and crafts and more at the 18th annual event. 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday; 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Assyrian Cultural Center, 3119 S. Central Ave., Ceres. See www.assyrianfoodfestival.com for ticket information. 209-538-4130.

Symbiosis Gathering 2015 – Sept. 17-20: Music, art, theatrical and circus performances, improv and standup comedy and more. Food and drink, arts and crafts vendors. 3 p.m. Thursday-Sunday. Woodward Reservoir, 14528 26 Mile Road, Oakdale. $260-$500 for four-day passes and camping. http://symbiosisgathering.com.

Saturday in the Mines – Sept. 19: Angels Camp Museum annual family festival featuring live music, historical exhibits, museum tours, $5 gold panning station for kids, food vendors and special guest exhibitors. 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Angels Camp Museum, 753 S. Main St., Angels Camp. Free. 209-736-2963.

Hughson Fruit and Nut Festival – Sept. 19-20: Chili cook-off, vendors, food, arts and crafts, farmers market, car show, kids zone, rock wall, bull ride, dunk tank and more. Live music by Big Earl and the Cryin’ Shame and Greg Scudder and the Beer:30. Sunday includes Walk for Love. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Free. www.hughsonfruitandnutfestival.com.

49er Festival, Chili & Salsa Cook-Off – Sept. 19: Kids activities, parade, live entertainment by Threshold, Columbia Jazz and more, auctions, chili and salsa tastings and other activities. Also, annual chili cook-off competition. Breakfast at 7 a.m.; festival closes at 5 p.m. Downtown Groveland. www.49erfestival.blogspot.com.

Greek Food Festival – Sept. 19-20: This marks the 50th year of this popular Modesto event. Authentic Greek food with take-out available, homemade pastries, church tours, agora (marketplace), live Greek music and entertainment. Noon to 9 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, 313 Tokay Ave., Modesto. $14 presale, $17 at the door; ages 12 and younger $8.50. 209-522-7694.

Coyotefest – Sept. 26: Event features coyote howl, horseshoe contest, Kids Korner, car show and parade. 10 a.m. Downtown Coulterville. Free. 209-878-3015.

This story was originally published August 25, 2015 at 2:17 PM with the headline "Upcoming fests wind down summer, herald fall."