Festival season kicks off with Ripon almond celebration

Ripon’s annual salute to almonds came at a great time this year.

The blossoms for which the festival is named have been in bloom for a few weeks. Ripon’s event is the beginning of a season of festivals throughout the Northern San Joaquin Valley. The Almond Blossom Festival includes a fun run, carnival, tri tip lunch and parade, all taking place in Ripon this weekend.

The weather, which can be iffy in late Feburary, looks to be cooperating. Conditions are expected to be mostly sunny throughout the weekend, with highs in the upper 60s to 70.

This story was originally published February 26, 2016 at 6:07 PM with the headline "Festival season kicks off with Ripon almond celebration."