Around Town (11/24/2016)
Holiday Artisan Fair
The fifth annual Holiday Artisan Fair runs from 2 to 7 p.m. Dec. 1 and from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Dec. 3 in the Merced Multicultural Arts Center at 645 W. Main Street, Merced. Local artists will be selling their creations to holiday shoppers. This event is sponsored by the Merced County Arts Council.
Fitness Lab membership
Merced College Community Services will be offering Fitness Lab memberships from 5:30 to 7:30 a.m. Mondays through Fridays from Dec. 1-23. The cost is $25 per participant. For more information, call 209-384-6224 or email communitysvc@mccd.edu.
Nativity festival
Enjoy a collection of more than 300 nativity scenes from around the world from 5 to 9 p.m. Dec. 2; 2 to 9 p.m. Dec. 3 and Dec. 4; and 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Dec. 4. There will be musical Christmas concerts at 7 p.m. Dec. 2 and Dec. 4, featuring local artists at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, 1080 E. Yosemite Ave., Merced.
Crane Day tours
There will be two bus tours around the Merced National Wildlife Refuge for Crane Day, at 8 and 10 a.m. Dec. 3. Each tour will last approximately 90 minutes and will be limited to 42 visitors per tour. It is recommended that those wishing to participate call to sign up and reserve a spot. There is no fee to participate. Any unfilled spots will be available on Crane Day on a first-come, first-served basis. Call 209-826-3508 to reserve your spot, obtain information about the event, or get driving directions to the Merced NWR.
United Methodist Women’s bazaar
Tickets for the luncheon at the United Methodist Women’s 86th annual bazaar are now available. The bazaar will be held from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Dec. 3 at United Methodist Church, 899 Yosemite Parkway. Luncheon will be $10 and served at 11:30 a.m. Also at the bazaar will be homemade jams and jellies, candy, baked goods, cheese balls, arts and attic treasures, a Christmas room, boutique, Hmong crafts and egg rolls, a silent auction and Mattie’s Tea Room. Call Joyce 209-617-8119 for tickets and/or more information.
2nd annual Odd Fellows Christmas Craft Fair
The La Grange Odd Fellows is planning its second annual Christmas Craft Fair, set for 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Dec. 10 at the Odd Fellows Hall, 30018 Yosemite Blvd., La Grange. The group is seeking crafters to set up displays. Space is limited and ona first-come, first-served basis. The cost is $25. For more information, call Patty Ducheneaux at 209-604-4444.
Grant and award opportunities
The Merced County Historical Society is accepting nominations and applications for history awards and grants from $200 to $2,500. Application forms are available in the museum office or by calling 209-723-2401. Completed applications must be received by Jan. 9 and should be sent to: Merced County Courthouse Museum, 21st and N streets, Merced, CA 95340. All the awards and grants will be presented at the Historical Society’s annual meeting in February.
Elks bingo
Enjoy bingo every Tuesday night at the Elks Lodge, 1920 M St., Merced. Doors open at 4:30 p.m., the snack bar opens at 5:30, early-bird games begin at 6:30 and regular games start at 7. For more information, call 209-723-1240. All proceeds go to Elks Lodge charities.
If you would like to have an event announced in Around Town, send information to aroundtown@mercedsunstar.com at least 10 days before the event. Items run according to space available.
This story was originally published November 23, 2016 at 11:46 AM with the headline "Around Town (11/24/2016)."