April fests bursting out all over the Modesto region
An April shower of festivals and fairs is gathering across the Modesto region, promising a sprinkling of music, cultural celebrations, art, butterflies and more.
Among the larger events is the Modesto Unplugged Music Festival – MUMFest for short – which this year expands to the entire month at a variety of venues.
Also planned are a kite festival in Livingston, a wine extravaganza in Murphys, Earth Day in the Park in Modesto and the annual Artist Open Studio Tour around Stanislaus County. Here’s a look at some of the larger events set for April:
▪ Modesto Unplugged Music Festival – April 2-30: Fifth annual live music showcase partners with other community arts organizations this year. Nearly a dozen venues across Modesto all month featuring songwriters, instrumentalists and performers from China, India, South Africa and beyond. Various times in various locations; see www.modestounplugged.com for details. $5-$32 available at door; kids 12 and under free. 209-543-5306.
▪ Cesar E. Chavez Family Day Celebration – April 2: City of Modesto presents annual celebration of the life and legacy of Cesar E. Chavez. Speeches, poetry, cultural dances and community resources. Refreshments provided. 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. Cesar Chavez Park’s Maddux Youth Center, 619 Sierra Drive, Modesto. Free. 209-341-2951.
▪ Livingston Kite Festival – April 2: Event features kite flying, competitions, crafting and entertainment. Merced County Sheriff’s Department will display crime-fighting tools including a 1973 UH-1H Vietnam-era Huey helicopter, SWAT armored vehicle, “Bearcat,” and water rescue boat. First 500 kids receive a free kite. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Livingston Middle School, 101 F St., Livingston. Free. (209) 277-1402. http://livingstonkitefestival.com
▪ Taste of Calaveras – April 16: Garden Breezeway and Wine Caves, Ironstone Vineyards, 1894 Six Mile Road, Murphys, noon to 4 p.m. Wineries and restaurants, select chefs, professional musicians and plein air artists gather for annual celebration. Cooking demonstrations, wine tasting, educational wine and food pairing seminars and silent auction. Noon-4 p.m. Ironstone Vineyards, 1894 Six Mile Road, Murphys. $40 in advance, $50 at the door. 209-736-1333; www.angelscampbusiness.com.
▪ Gustine Street Faire – April 16: Dubbed “A Pickers Street Faire” with music, collectibles and crafts. 7 a.m.-4 p.m. 498 Fifth St. 209-733-8050.
▪ Earth Day in the Park – April 23: A day of “green” education, live entertainment, activities for all ages, food, Trash-Formation art contest for students K-12 and more. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Graceada Park, Sycamore and Needham streets, Modesto. Free. www.modestogov.com/earthday.
▪ Calaveras Air Faire – April 23: AA Mother Lode Chapter 484 event with airplane rides, aircraft and classic car displays, fly-in and open house. 8 a.m.-5 p.m.; airplane rides 9 a.m.-3 p.m. for $5-$10. Fly in and open house are free. Calaveras County Airport, 3600 Carol Kennedy Drive, San Andreas. 209-736-2501.
▪ Stanislaus Artist Open Studio Tour – April 23-24: More than 81 artists at 43 studios and gallery venues primarily in Turlock, Modesto and Oakdale open their doors to the public. Meet local artists where they create their work, with studio tours, demonstrations and art to view and for sale. Preview show at Gallo Center for the Arts is 6-9 p.m. April 15-16 with map booklets double as tickets for the tour and will be available for $10; free for students 18 and under accompanied by a map holder. Tour hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. April 23; noon-5 p.m. April 24. For more map purchase locations, see www.stanislausaos.wordpress.com.
▪ Gold Country Peddler’s Faire – April 24: 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.
▪ Merced County Spring Fair – April 27-May 1: Live music, animal attractions, Destruction Derby, bull riding, motocross, truck and tractor pulls, kids activities, midway, food and more. Merced County Spring Fairgrounds, 403 F St., Los Banos. $3-$9; arena events have their own tickets prices. Hours vary by day, see www.co.merced.ca.us or call 209-826-5166.
▪ Mariposa Butterfly Festival – April 29-May 1: Butterfly releases, parade, children’s activities, art, competitions, entertainment and more. Weekend begins at Taste of Mariposa, 5 p.m. Friday at Mariposa County Fairgrounds. Parade 10 a.m. Saturday; festival runs 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday in Downtown Mariposa, Highway 140 at Highway 149. www.mariposabutterflyfestival.net.
▪ Sonora Spring Festival – April 30: Annual family event features arts and craft vendors, live entertainment, church tours and more. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Downtown Sonora. Free. 209-532-7725.
▪ Delhi Multicultural Festival – April 30: Annual event, with food, fun and entertainment. 1-8 p.m. Delhi High School, 16881 Schendel Ave. 209-632-2436.
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This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 5:27 PM with the headline "April fests bursting out all over the Modesto region."