Debbie Croft: Spring events in the foothills

It looks like spring arrived early this year, and the foothills are covered in new growth. It’s a beautiful time to drive through the central Sierra mountains, and enjoy the small town charm our communities have to offer:

The Blue Skies Trio presents live jazz music on March 7 at 7:30 p.m.

Order dinner beforehand at the June Bug Café, which opens at 5:30 p.m. Yosemite Bug is located on CA State Highway 140 almost 10 miles north of Mariposa. Visit www.yosemitebug.com for more information or call toll free (866)826-7108.

▪ The 66th annual Hornitos Enchilada Dinner takes place on the first Saturday of March, rain or shine. This year’s event is scheduled for March 7, from 3:30 to 8 p.m. Visitors come from all over the Central Valley and around the Sierra foothills to enjoy reuniting with long-time friends and neighbors.

Dinner is served at the Stag Hall in the center of the western ghost town. The cost is $12 for adults and $6 for children. Diners claim these enchiladas are the best. This benefit event is sponsored by the Hornitos Patrons Club. For more information call (209)376-2320.

▪ Sonora’s Celtic Faire brings the music and mystery of the British Isles to the Motherlode Fairgrounds, March 6 to 8.

For one entire weekend, experience the history, savor the tastes or discover your own Celtic roots. Watch full-metal jousting, fire shows, jugglers and traditional dancers, and sway to the music of Celtic lands. Close to 100 vendors, artisans and craftsmen will participate.

Tickets are available online or at the gate. For details call (209)533-4420, or visit the website: www.sonoracelticfaire.com.

▪ The Storytelling Festival returns to Mariposa for its 28th year. For three days, March 12 to 14, six well-known performers will delight audiences: Beth Horner, Tim Lowry, Michael Parent, Antonio Rocha, Anne Rutherford and Sarah Saulter.

This year’s award-winning storytellers come from North and South America, and have traveled the globe while telling tales. Many combine pantomime, drama or music with their stories.

The festival is sponsored by the Mariposa County Arts Council. Most performances will be held at the Mariposa County High School. Sunday’s Concert Festival Finale will be held in Yosemite National Park.

Tickets are available now for individual performances, one-day, two-day and full-festival passes.

Complete information including photos, a festival brochure, scheduling and prices is available at the MCAC website: www.mariposaartscouncil.org. Call (800)903-9936 or send an email to rodriguez@mariposaartscouncil.org for details.

▪ First Baptist Church of Mariposa will host its Ladies Leap F.R.O.G. Spring Retreat on March 20 and 21. Pastor’s wife, Cynthia Wilder from Olympia, Wash., will be the guest speaker.

The getaway begins with Friday’s beverage reception at4:30 p.m. and ends with an alfresco lunch on Saturday. All meals, a dessert buffet, crafts and a keepsake gift bag are included in the cost of $25. Registration is required by March 11.

Contact the church for details by calling (209)966-5780, or email: mtmist@hotmail.com.

▪ The Call to Artists for the 2015 Sierra Art Trails Open Studio Tour is now open. For more than 10 years artists and artisans have welcomed visitors to their studios throughout Mariposa and Madera Counties. This event is the largest of its kind in the region. And its popularity is growing among California art collectors.

The tour takes place in the fall. The full-color catalog serves as a ticket for two, and features detailed maps, photos, artist bios and more. The application deadline is May 1, and can be downloaded from the website: www.sierraarttrails.org. Call (559)658-8844 for more information.

This story was originally published February 20, 2015 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Debbie Croft: Spring events in the foothills."