April to bloom with Merced, Mother Lode region festivals. See what’s happening
Enjoying April’s flowers? The month brings even more to take in with community festivals across the Merced and Mother Lode regions.
Music, fruit and nuts, wine and more will be celebrated to get you out and about. Here’s a look at just some of what’s planned:
MERCED RIVER FEST – April 18: The Upper Merced River Watershed Council festival features the Wild and Scenic Film Festival. The fundraiser will screen a series of award-winning environmental and adventure films. It’s in conjunction with the Mariposa Youth Film Festival, with short films for kids of all ages and the award-winning films of the Mariposa County Students on the River film contest. Youth films 2-4 p.m.; Wild and Scenic fest 6-9:30 p.m. Social hour 5-6 p.m. The Grove House, 4993 5th St., Mariposa. $35. www.merced-river.org/events/mercedriverfest.
JACKED UP COUNTRY MUSIC FESTIVAL – April 25: The celebration is an all-day-and-night music event with multiple solo artists and bands, including Central Valley group Blue Line. There will be swing dancing, vendors, food, brews and other drinks, a mechanical bull and more. 1-11:30 p.m. The Tarmac, 1930 Airdrome Entry, Atwater. shorturl.at/IA1OR.
HUGHSON FRUIT & NUT FESTIVAL – April 25-26: Held by the Hughson Chamber of Commerce, the event features vendors, arts & crafts, family fun and more. A classic car show will be held April 26 only, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Festival hours are 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. April 25; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 26. Downtown Hughson. Free. 209-883-0811.
SPRING WINE WEEKEND – April 25-26: Explore Calaveras wine country and sample wine at 20 tasting rooms. There will be live music and other events. Tickets include a commemorative wineglass. Noon-4 p.m. One-day Saturday tickets $45 by March 31, $55 after; One-day Sunday tickets $40 by March 31, $55 after; two-day tickets $65 by March 31, $75 after. www.calaveraswines.org/events.
MERCED COUNTY SPRING FAIR – April 29-May 3: There will be fair food, livestock exhibits, entertainment and more as the Merced County Spring Fair kicks off in Los Banos. 11 a.m.-10 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday, Sunday; 11 a.m.-11 p.m. Friday-Saturday. Los Banos Fairgrounds, 403 F St., Los Banos. www.countyofmerced.com/3880/Spring-Fair.
GOLD COUNTRY PEDDLER’S FAIRE – April 26: The Peddler’s Faire returns to Knights Ferry with more than 100 vendors selling arts, crafts, antiques and collectibles. The event is a fundraiser for the Knights Ferry Museum. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. in the Army Corps Park, 17968 Covered Bridge Road, along the Stanislaus River. Free, $10 for parking on U.S. Army Corps of Engineers property. knightsferry.com.
