Around Town: Travel itineraries set

The Big Valley Travel Club is offering some exciting trips over the next few months,

March 27: New Disney Museum and walking tour of the Presidio, $80 for museum entry and VIP tour;

April 11-17: Spring in Sedona with desert wild flowers, the beautiful red rocks, nearby Grand Canyon, and the Africa USA park, $625 stay at the luxurious Amara Resort Hotel and Spa;

April 21: The Bouquets to Art exhibit and Amish Abstract Quilt display at the DeYoung Museum in Golden Gate Park, $65;

April 25: Cruise San Francisco Bay on the USS Potomac, FDR's presidential yacht, on Opening Day when more than 300 sailing ships will be parading, $125.

All costs include transportation, gifts and prizes, and entry fees. For more information, call (209) 634-6804 or go to BVTravelclub@charter.net.

LOS BANOS

Path of the Padres hike reservations open

The California State Park staff at San Luis Reservoir State Recreation Area will again be leading the popular Path of the Padres hikes on some Fridays and most Saturdays and Sundays through April 18. For more information, call (209) 826-1197 or e-mail dpoole@parks.ca.gov.

MERCED

Merced County Children's Summit

The seventh annual Merced County Children's Summit will be from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Tuesday at St. Patrick's Parish, 671 E. Yosemite Ave. Admission is free and lunch is included. For more information, call (209) 385-7337, ext. 4924.

MERCED

Wine dinner for Merced Symphony

Bishop's on the Square will host a wine dinner fundraiser for the Merced Symphony Association from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday. Tickets are $75 each and include a seven-course meal with wine pairings. For more information, call (209) 726-6262.

MERCED

Playhouse auditions for 'Bye, Bye Birdie'

Playhouse Merced will hold auditions for "Bye, Bye Birdie" on April 3 at 1 p.m. at the Playhouse mainstage. All roles are open with parts for teenagers and adults. For more information, call (209) 725-8587 or go to playhousemerced.com.

SNELLING

Trout fishing derby

Lake McSwain Marina, Merced Irritation District, Calaveras Trout Farm and A-1 Bait and Tackle will host a trout fishing derby on April 17 and 18 from 7 a.m. on the 17th to noon on the 18th. There will be 50 planted trout tagged and the first place prize is $3,000, and two more fish worth $1,000 each. Entry fee is $10 each or $25 per family (husband, wife, maximum of three children uner 16). Derby will be held rain or shine. For more information, call (209) 378-2521 or (209) 378-2534.

MERCED

Old Timer's reunion looking for honorees

The Old Timer's of Merced County are looking for honorees for this year's Pioneer Reunion. The event will be April 18 at the Italo-American Lodge and the group will be honoring Merced County residents who have resided in Merced County for at least 50 years and are at least 85 years of age. This has been a tradition in Merced County for decades and we are looking for possible honorees. For more information, call (209) 383-9074 or (209) 769-7460.

If you would like to have your event announced in the Around Town Column, send your information to Connie Hodges at least one week prior to the event, at chodges@mercedsunstar.com. Items run according to space available.