FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Phil Weidinger
Summer 2006 Weidinger Public Relations
(775) 588-2412, or
Lisa Reynolds
Calaveras Visitors Bureau
(209) 736-0049
TIES THAT BIND – CALAVERAS COUNTY EVENTS REVOLVE AROUND FAMILY
Eclectic, authentic activities reflects appealing foothills lifestyle
(Angels Camp, Calif.) – Try this recipe: start with fresh home-grown produce. Add garlic, lots of garlic. Sprinkle Cajun spices liberally. Now mix entertainment running the gamut from free concerts in the park and outdoor theatre under the stars to major headliners in a 3,500-seat vineyard amphitheatre or a full symphony in a mountain setting. Pour a taste from the 19 different wineries. Stir in outdoor activities like whitewater rafting, hiking trails, meander through giant Sequoias. Blend with heavy doses of off-beat and traditional events. Fuse with family and friends. Then top it off with a Jumping Frog Jubilee. You just baked-up Summer 2006 in Calaveras County. (The frog thing gave it away, right?)
May 17 – 21: Calaveras Country Fair and Jumping Frog Jubilee. Summer’s signature event includes 50,000 people, 500 frogs and over 2,000 jumps before the 2006 Jumping Frog Jubilee champion is crowned, then memorialized with a bronze plaque on Main Street in Angels Camp. There are more than frogs hopping going on at the Fair. Outdoor concerts by Lover Boy and Hot Apple Pie, kids’ events, carnivals, entertainment, livestock exhibits, food and shopping, all play starring roles.
Heritage roses join jumping frogs at this year’s Fair. Heritage Day is May 17 and gates open at 4:00 p.m. to celebrate the legacy of Calaveras County with the dedication of a Heritage Rose Garden, just inside the main gates at Frogtown. More than 200 roses have been acquired for the garden and many of the 25 varieties are over 100 years old. Beauties of another kind are contestants in the Miss Calaveras Scholarship Pageant and the Saddle Queen Competition also scheduled for May 17.
For information on all the activities of the five-day fair and frog jump, call (209) 736-2561 or visit: www.FrogTown.org
March until October: Whitewater Rafting. No guts, no glory. Prepare for thrills, chills and spills with river rafting day-trips on the North Fork of the Stanislaus River, the most technical Class IV whitewater California. The international outdoor adventure company (O.A.R.S.) runs the trips that start at 4,000 feet and hurtle six miles through granite gorges, past giant Sequoia groves, meadows of wild azaleas and old Miwok Indian sites. For more information call (800) 346-6277 or visit: www.OARS.com.
Spring through Summer: Calaveras Big Trees State Park and Stanislaus National Park – Enjoy a plethora of outdoor activities amid spectacular natural beauty: giant Sequoias, camping, hiking and biking trails, bird watching and evening ranger talks. Call (209) 795-2334 or visit: www.BigTrees.org or (209) 532-3671 or visit: www.fs.fed.us/r5/stanislaus.
Cashmere World -- Look for a historic interpretative trail to open on the range of the California Cashmere goat farm in the hills of northeastern Calaveras County. First, pay a visit to the goats and their owners to learn about sheering, cashmere wool processing and meet an impressive-looking llama that guards the goats. The interpretive trail descends from the hillside with goats and llama on the other side of the fence looking back. Several sites dating from the 1800s, including a gold mining ditch, smelter, rock quarry and bedrock milling area lie along the one-mile loop. Tours are $20 per person and by appointment only with group discounts, while children 12 and under are free. To visit the goats and walk the trail, call (209) 754-5751 or visit: www.CalCashmere.com.
June 24: Solve Historic Mysteries – Who’s a modern day Columbo? A great learning experience for kids, this family event at Columbia State Historic Park has everyone searching for clues and questioning witnesses to solve an actual crime that occurred in 1850s Columbia. The day ends with a trial at the Justice Court. Guilty or innocent? Call (209) 588-9128 or visit: www.ColumbiaCalifornia.com.
July 1: Fireworks – There’s a lot of popping going on at Ironstone Vineyards, but on this day it’s more than corks! It’s Calaveras County’s most impressive fireworks display. Enjoy music from Shane Dwight, food and drinks along with activities for the whole family. Gates open at 4:00 p.m. Cost is $10 per person, $5 for kids 5 - 12 and free for kids 4 and under. For more information, call (209) 728-1251 or visit: www.IronstoneVineyards.com.
July 4: Parade – A traditional Fourth of July parade marches down Main Street in Columbia to jumpstart a day of festivities that include a barbecue, a watermelon eating contest, greased pole climbing and a fashion show. For more information: www.ColumbiaCalifornia.com.
July 15 – 16: Murphys Heritage Days – This old-fashioned, family-friendly community celebration includes a Main Street parade followed by an annual Duck Race. The park comes alive with music, food, drinks and a dunk tank. Call (209) 736-9285 or visit: www.GoCalaveras.Travel.
July 20: Murphys Historic Hotel Sesquicentennial – Hops on a hot day for only a buck-fifty? Now that’s cause for a celebration! There’s plenty of food too, during the 150th birthday of this county icon. And the people watching along Main Street are entertainment in itself. 457 Main Street, Murphys. For more information call (209) 728-3444 or visit: www.MurphysHotel.com.
July 22: 4th Annual Garlic Festival – Ah, the stinking rose! Table Mountain Garden in Murphys is the venue for local chefs and cooking demonstrations that feature garlic, garlic, and more garlic! This years’ Festival theme is “Cultivating Community.” Enjoy garden tours, cooking demonstrations, gardening, solar oven cook-offs, children’s activities, artisans & crafters, Farmers Market. There’s also live music and performances featuring Alma Melodiosa, Elysium Calling and Story quilters. Table Mountain Garden, 961 Pennsylvania Gulch Road, Murphys. Tickets are $15, children 12 and under free. For more information, call (209) 728-9112 or visit: www.BrushwoodInstitute.com/garlicharvestfestival.htm.
August 12: 13th Annual Cajun Fête Dinner Dance Party – The Historic Pioneer Hotel in Sheep Ranch spices up the scene with sizzling hot Cajun music from Tom Rigney and Flambeu from 5:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. This Fundraiser for the Arts in Calaveras County will include a silent auction and no-host bar. Advance reservations are required with information at (209) 754-1774 or visit: www.CalaverasArts.org.
August 19: Family Day at Calaveras Big Trees State Park – Presented by the Calaveras Big Trees Association, Family Day includes storytellers, face-painting, games, hikes, hands-on arts and nature crafts, fly-fishing demonstrations, Smokey the Bear, Miwok demonstrations, “Cocked Hat bowling,” as well as food and beverages, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. For more information call, (209) 795-3840 or visit: www.BigTrees.org.
Early September (TBD): 11th Annual Logging Jamboree – This logging competition features various feats and demonstrations of log cutting and climbing. The Sierra Nevada Logging Museum in White Pines features displays of the area’s logging history. The jamboree includes a petting zoo, children and toddler games, live music and vendors displaying wares. Call (209) 795-6782 or visit: www.SierraLoggingMuseum.org.
September 16: 1st Annual Tuolumne and Calaveras Humane Society Golf Tournament – “Birdie” takes on a completely different meaning at Greenhorn Creek Golf Course in Angels Camp. Prizes galore and a good time are guaranteed on the course. Non-golfers who love animals can enjoy a fabulous dinner and silent auction at CAMPS, one of the area’s top restaurants after the tournament. For more information call Teri Thieme-Manual at (209) 728-8467 or visit: www.CalaverasHumane.org/events.htm.
Entertainment events abound throughout the surrounding area throughout the summer:
“Theatre Under the Stars” – At the Cornelia B. Stevenot Performing Arts Center at Stevenot Winery, “The Play’s the Thing.” Since 1994, Murphys Creek Theatre has produced its annual outdoor summer theatre festival for all ages. This intimate theatre setting for 250 charms both visitors and locals. The theatre company consists of artists from Paris and New York as well as the Sierra foothills and the San Francisco Bay Area.
The 2006 season (mid-June to mid-September) includes:
June 23 – July 29: “Twelfth Night” by William Shakespeare
June 29 – August 5: “I Hate Hamlet” by Paul Rudnick, which pokes lighthearted,
satirical fun at the Bard.
August 18 – September 16: “T Bone ‘N’ Weasel” by Jon Klein, takes audiences on a
hilarious road trip through the South.
Call (209) 728-8422 or visit: www.MurphysCreekTheatre.org.
Ironstone Vineyards Outdoor Amphitheatre -- Major headline entertainers energize audiences of 3,500 throughout the summer at this popular concert series. The outdoor amphitheatre is situated among the trees and vineyards. It is also home to an annual Concours d'Elegance car and club show, and several other major events throughout the year.
Saturday, June 24: The Steve Miller Band plays great hits like “Livin’ in the USA”
and “Fly Like an Eagle.”
Friday, July 7: Rob Thomas, “Ever the Same” with Jason Mraz, “Life is Beautiful.”
Friday, August 4: The Season IV American Idol winner Carrie Underwood with
Randy Travis bring country and gospel to the Ironstone stage.
Friday, August 25: The Doobie Brothers with Los Lonely Boys will fill the air with
legendary rock/blues/country.
Sunday, Sept. 10: The Wilson sisters, Ann and Nancy, lead the popular group
Heart with hits like “Alone,” “Never,” and “What About Love.”
Friday, Sept. 15: Bonnie Raitt, “Let’s Give Them Something to Talk About” and Keb’ Mo’, “For What It’s Worth.”
Saturday, Oct. 7: Train, “Meet Virginia” and “Drops of Jupiter.”
Visit www.IronstoneVineyards.com for details and updates.
Annual Bear Valley Music Festival, July 29-August 13 – Symphony and opera patrons will revel at an event that has been voted the best summer attraction in the Central Sierra. This year the festival celebrates its 38th year with numerous entertainers from jazz and blues singers to solo violinists. The festival features full symphony performances, international soloists and renowned opera stars all in a picturesque mountain setting. Call (209) 753-2574 or visit: www.BearValleyMusic.org.
Music in the Parks – A Calaveras tradition, from big time to small town, where locals and visitors come to picnic and enjoy all kinds of music from swing and blues to Cajun and country western. Calaveras Arts Council presents free concerts every Wednesday evening in June, July and August in different Calaveras community parks. For details visit: www.CalaverasArts.org.
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Calaveras County:
Located in the heart of California’s gold rush country between Lake Tahoe and Yosemite National Park. The diverse landscape stretches 1,024 square miles from near sea level in the flat western valleys and rolling hills to more than 8,000 feet at the Sierra crest. The land is rich with historic sites, family farms and vineyards, forests of giant sequoias, rivers and lakes and underground caves. A vibrant arts culture thrives along with fine winemaking and all types of outdoor recreation, including fishing and boating, golf, bicycling, hiking, camping and skiing. Small, rural towns dot the landscape connected by well-maintained highways and country roads. For more information on Calaveras County as well as lodging packages, special events and other facts and figures, call (800) 225-3764 and visit www.GoCalaveras.Travel.