Summer Hit List: Festivals, fairs and fun fit for July

Smack dab in the middle of summer, July weekends are made for fun, sun and celebrations.

This weekend marks the biggest celebration of them all with Fourth of July blowouts in communities across the region; we shared a list running down those patriotic events in The Bee on Sunday.

But the month brings so much more than just fireworks: it brings the Stanislaus County Fair, the Bear Valley Music Festival and the fledgling Modesto Con – to name just a few.

Events abound across the Valley and Mother Lode as the calendar turns to July with community street fairs, finger-licking-good barbecue fun, music fetes and more. Here’s a look at some of the larger events scheduled:

Sierra Nevada Arts & Crafts Festival – July 2-3: The 44th annual celebration features more than 50 booths of fine crafts, art and gourmet foods to sample. Live country and swing music will be performed by Stardust Cowboys, with juggling by Izzi Tooinsky. Pancake breakfast 7:30 to 11 a.m. both days. Fire Department barbecue with live music Saturday evening after the festival at Cedar Center. The festival, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. both days, is held on the grounds of Bristol’s Ranch House Cafe at 961 Highway 4, downtown Arnold. Free. 925-372-8961.

Cortez Obon Festival – July 2: Japanese American festival featuring Obon dancing, cultural presentations, music and more. The farming community of Cortez was one of the original Japanese settlements in the 1900s. Dinner 5 p.m.; festival 7 p.m. Cortez Buddhist Church, 12985 Cortez Ave., Turlock.

Yosemite Music Festival – July 8-9: The third annual event showcases several bands Friday and Saturday, including The Little Fuller Band, The Americans, Green Machine, A La Lune, Tarantula and the Turtle Doves and more. Camping with children’s activities 4 to 5 p.m. Friday and 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday. Mariposa County Fairgrounds, 5007 Fairgrounds Road, Mariposa. $40 weekend passes adults, $20 ages 13-17, free before 13. www.yosemitemusicfestival.com.

Mother Lode Fair – July 8-10: This year’s expo includes a demolition derby, truck and tractor pulls. Budweiser Clydesdales will be on hand 3 to 6 p.m. Friday. Among the concert performers will be California Cowboys, Cottonwood Creek, Dossi on the Rocks, Dusty Roads Band, The Little Fuller Band, Rock Slide, Toree McGee and Jackson Michaelson. Noon to to midnight Friday-Saturday; noon to 11 p.m. Sunday. 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora. $10 admission, $5 age 6-12, free age 5 and under; $25 for carnival wristband. www.motherlodefair.org or 209-532-7428.

Stanislaus County Fair – July 8-17: Annual county fair featuring agriculture exhibits, midway, entertainment, motorsports, rodeo and more. Entertainment includes Rachel Platten, Night Ranger, Noel Torres, Chaka Khan, Dwight Yoakam, Kellie Pickler, Ashanti and more. Weekdays, 5 p.m. to midnight; Saturdays and Sundays, noon to midnight. Stanislaus County Fairground, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock. $5-$12 gate admission; some events have an additional cost. 209-668-1333.

Modesto Con – July 9-10: Pop-culture and cosplay convention. Artists, costume contest, Geek Fashion Show, panel discussions, vendors and more. Participants include the 501st Legion Central California Garrison, 1701st Fleet, Mandalorian Mercs Costume Club. Special guests include actor Doug Jones (“The Fantastic Four”) and Sam J. Jones (“Flash Gordon,” “Ted” movies) as well as comic book artists/authors and cosplayers. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Modesto Centre Plaza, 1000 I St. $4 advance, free under age 12. www.modestocon.com.

Murphys Homecoming – July 16: The 68th event opens with a run/walk at 8 a.m. at Murphys Community Park followed by kids crafts, fishing games, face painting and a cakewalk. Live music 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. by Mic Harper and the Calaveras Community Band. Food and beverages including beer and wine available for purchase. Duck races begin at 1 p.m. with sack, three-legged and wheelbarrow races, water balloon toss and a tug of war also planned. Bocce ball tournament starts at 6 p.m. Murphys Community Park, Algiers Street. Free. 209-728-8183 or visitmurphys.com.

Bear Valley Music Festival – July 22-Aug. 7: 48th event features jazz violinist Mads Tolling, T Sisters, cellist Emil Miland and Friends, Del Sol String Quartet, Llewellyn Sanchez-Werner, John Pearson, Lucas Chen and more, presenting a variety of music styles including rock, classical, bluegrass and jazz. Also, tributes to Journey and The Beatles, a “Speakeasy” gala on Aug. 6. Arts of Bear Valley exhibit also on sight. Times and prices vary. Bear Valley Village. www.bearvalleymusicfestival.org.

Twain Harte Summer Art & Wine Festival – July 23-24: The 39th annual street festival features craft and graphic artists, wine, food and live entertainment. Performers include Tom Rigney and Flambeau, Comedy Industries, The Little Fuller Band and Daniel DaVinci. Vintage car show at Twain Harte Center. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Downtown Twain Harte. Free. 209-533-3473 or www.fireonthemountain.com.

Wines in the Pines – July 23: In conjunction with the Twain Harte Summer Art & Wine Festival above, this event features wine tasting and food. Noon to 4 p.m. Twain Harte Chamber of Commerce, 23000 Meadow Lane. $25. www.twainhartecc.com.

Blues and Bones Festival – July 29-30: Annual music festival and barbecue competition. Event features live music by Chris Cain, Dennis Jones Band, Jeramy Norris and the Dangerous Mood, John Clifton, Ben Rice Trio and more. Barbecue contest for prizes and championship status. 6-10 p.m. Friday; noon to 10 p.m. Saturday. Calaveras County Fairgrounds, 101 Frogtown Road, Angels Camp. $15 Friday, $25 Saturday. www.bluesandbones.com.

This story was originally published June 29, 2016 at 2:46 PM with the headline "Summer Hit List: Festivals, fairs and fun fit for July."