Popular Merced-area celebrations to make a return. Treat dad to an airplane ride
Looking for a unique gift for dad this Father’s Day? How about an airplane ride in the Mother Lode?
The rides are offered during the 57th annual Columbia Airport Father’s Day Fly-in, one of several festivals coming up in the Modesto and Mother Lode regions for the month of June.
Also coming up are Juneteenth celebrations, along with music, art, dairy, an homage to lumber, and more. Here’s a look at just some of what’s planned:
HILMAR DAIRY & FARM FESTIVAL – June 6: Hilmar’s annual event has Little Milkman and Milkmaid contests, food and craft vendors. A car show will be held at Hilmar Middle School from 3-4:30 p.m. There will be fireworks at dusk. 5-10 p.m. Hilmar High football field, 7807 N. Lander Ave. Free. hilmarchamber.com.
KNIGHTS FERRY ART & MUSIC FESTIVAL – June 5-7: Events at five venues: 50s Roadhouse, Rick’s Saloon (ages 21 and older only at this location), River’s Edge, Knights Ferry Community Church and the Knights Ferry Art Studio & Gallery. There will be music, an art workshop, community mural, rock painting, loom weaving station, Knights Ferry Museum Tour and more. There will be Free Market vendors 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Saturday. The schedule is yet to be released. $20-$75, free ages 5 and under. www.kfamfestival.com.
MERCED COUNTY FAIR – June 10-14: The local annual tradition continues with carnival rides, livestock exhibitions, live music and food. There will be monster trucks and rodeos in the grandstand. 5 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Wednesday-Friday; 3 p.m.-12:30 a.m. Saturday-Sunday. Gates close at 11 p.m. Merced County Fairgrounds, 900 Martin Luther King Jr. Way. $11, free ages 12 and under. Additional tickets needed for grandstand events. mercedcountyfair.com.
MERCED JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION – June 19-20: The NAACP Merced County Branch holds a Freedom Celebration Weekend. There will be food, music, classic cars, community fellowship and more. Noon-7 p.m. Friday, Cousin’s Corner Block Party, 260 W. 18th St., Merced; Noon-7 p.m. Saturday, celebration at McNamara Park, 470 W. 11th St., Merced. Free to attend. www.facebook.com/events/merced-california/naacp-merced-juneteenth-freedom-celebration-weekend/1624078848883414.
DADS DAY OUT – June 20: There will be music, food, vendors and a car and truck show at this Saturday Father’s Day event. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. D.E.S. Hall, 1155 I St., Los Banos. 209-826-2495. Free to attend.
CARNEGIE ARTS CENTER BLOCK PARTY – June 13: This annual community event is for all ages. Creative activities, local art, live music and more will be offered. 8 a.m.-1 p.m. Central Park, downtown Turlock. Free. carnegieartsturlock.org.
COLUMBIA AIRPORT FATHER’S DAY FLY-IN – June 20: This year’s event will “Celebrate 250 Years of Freedom” with airplane rides, warbird demonstrations, classic cars and airplanes on display. A pancake breakfast is from 7:30-11 a.m. There also will be live music by Overdrive, food and vendors. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. 10723 Airport Road, Columbia. $7 presale, $10 at door, $3 ages 3-10, free to veterans. fathersdayflyin.org.
HOT COPPER CAR SHOW – June 20: Cars, trucks, motorcycles will be showcased. There will be food and drink, live music, vendors and more. 8 a.m.-3 p.m. The Town Square at Copper Valley, 100 Square Road, Copperopolis. Free. www.hotcoppercarshow.com.
TUOLUMNE LUMBER JUBILEE – June 26-28: The annual fest celebrates the logging industry with vendors, a carnival, parade, music, logging contests and more, ending with a tug-of-war at 5:30 p.m. on Sunday. See website for times. West Side Memorial Park, Tuolumne. Free. motherlodetimbersports.org/tuolumne-lumber-jubilee.
PATTERSON JUNETEENTH CELEBRATION – June 27: All are invited to “A Joyful Juneteenth Celebration” to honor freedom, culture and community. There will be live music and entertainment, food, vendors, all-ages games and more. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. T.W. Patterson Sports Complex, 16651 Ward Ave., Patterson. Free. 209-485-2820.
