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Event News - page 16

News and stories about local festivals, seasonal traditions and community events. Current event listings are in the Events Calendar.

Sacrifices of the Fallen Remembered at Ceremony

in Event News

While most people were enjoying a long weekend or making plans for a barbecue heading to the lakes, approximately 70 Ceres residents took over an hour on Monday to remember those for whom the day was meant: Those who gave up their lives defending the country in the U.S. Armed Forces.

The Memorial Day event, held at 10 a.m., was organized by the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and American Legion posts of Ceres and included remarks by Mayor Javier Lopez, Supervisor Channce Condit, Undersheriff Micky LaBarbera, American Legion Commander Pete Samaniego and VFW Post Commander Freddy Morales.

Continue Reading on Ceres Courier

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Memorial Day Ceremony’s Return Sees Turlock Remember Fallen Heroes

in Event News

For the first time since 2019, the Turlock community gathered for a Memorial Day service at the city’s cemetery on Monday to honor those who sacrificed their lives while serving their country. 

The annual event, co-hosted by Turlock’s American Legion and Veterans of Foreign Wars post, was cancelled due to the pandemic last year, with a small demonstration taking place instead of the typical crowd that gathers at Turlock Memorial Park each year. As COVID restrictions begin to lift this year, plenty of people showed up on Monday for a morning of remembrance under the sun which included speeches by representatives from both veterans associations as well as elected officials like Sheriff Jeff Dirkse, Stanislaus County Supervisor Vito Chiesa, Turlock Mayor Amy Bublak, Assemblyman Heath Flora and Congressman Josh Harder.

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

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2021 Santa Barbara County Fair Uncertain, but Virtual Livestock Auction Will Proceed

in Event News

When Nipomo FFA chapter member and sheep breeder Emily Ward learned that the 2020 Santa Barbara County Fair was canceled due to COVID-19, she opted not to participate in the virtual auction that was held in June, but she plans to participate in a second one slated for this summer. 

It’s still too early to determine if the 2021 County Fair, slated for July 14 to July 18, will happen, but a virtual auction already is in the works, according to Kevin Merrill, who sits on the fair’s board of directors. 

“We’re just putting it out there now, trying to get an idea of how many kids will participate,” Merrill said. “We want to make sure that the kids who have an animal participate and there’s some way of being able to sell those.” 

Each year, local FFA and 4-H youths have the opportunity to sell livestock during a three-day event at the annual fair. FFA and 4-H members typically work to arrange potential buyers and processing well before the auction. On average, about 2,000 animals are sold during the auction. 

Continue Reading on Lompoc Record

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Going to a New Year’s Eve Party in California? Tool Lets You Calculate the COVID Risk

in Health/Event News

Coronavirus cases are surging across the country as family and friends continue to gather during the holiday season.

If you’re wondering if you should attend a party to ring in the new year, there’s a tool to assess the risk of COVID-19 spreading at gatherings in every California county.

Georgia Institute of Technology researchers created a map tool that allows users to assess the chances of at least one person testing positive for COVID-19 at an event. Counties in yellow pose have the lowest risk while those in dark red pose a risk greater than 99%.

“You can reduce the risk that one case becomes many by wearing a mask, distancing, and gathering outdoors in smaller groups,” the Georgia Institute of Technology researchers wrote.

As of Dec. 30, California is among the states with the most red-colored counties regardless of event size.

Continue Reading on Sacramento Bee

Turlock’s Christmas Cruise Proves More Popular Than Anticipated

in Event News

The City of Turlock’s first-ever Christmas Cruise on Friday night provided plenty of holiday cheer for vehicles passing through — and some long traffic jams.

Community members, businesses and organizations were able to set up lighted displays at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds this year in lieu of floats after the annual downtown Christmas Parade was cancelled due to COVID-19. According to Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director Allison Van Guilder, it is estimated that over 1,000 vehicles made their way through the Christmas Cruise which featured 33 festive participants.

“As we know, due to COVID, the traditional downtown Christmas Parade was cancelled. We believe the Christmas Cruise at the fairgrounds provided a safe alternative for those seeking holiday activities,” Van Guilder said. “Based on the feedback from those who experienced the event and the organizations who participated, we believe it was a huge success.”

Those who were able to make it into the event before the gates closed at 8:30 p.m. were able to experience a winter wonderland complete with machines blowing fake snow and Santa Claus himself. The Christmas Cruise was sponsored by Turlock Firefighters Local 2434, who were able to collect five blue barrels filled with food and toys for Turlock Together during the event.

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

Despite Pandemic, City and Community Offering Christmas Cheer

in Health/Event News

The holidays may look and feel different this year, but there are still countless ways to kick off the Christmas season throughout Turlock this weekend. 

First, a decades-old tradition will be replaced with a socially-distanced spectacle this Friday as the City of Turlock hosts its first-ever Christmas Cruise at the Stanislaus County Fairgrounds. From 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Dec. 4, carloads filled with community members will have the chance to drive through “A Night of Lights on Display” — an event that Parks, Recreation and Public Facilities Director Allison Van Guilder hopes will fill the void left behind by the cancellation of Turlock’s annual downtown Christmas parade due to COVID-19. 

“The Christmas Cruise will be a COVID-safe holiday event for the community at a time when there are so few options available,” Van Guilder said. “We appreciate the businesses and organizations who are working hard on their displays to spread much needed holiday cheer this year…. We hope all who experience the Christmas Cruise will gain a sense of hope and happiness this holiday season.”

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

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Operation Blue Santa Gets the Green Light in Turlock

in Event News

Between budget constraints, staff shortages and the coronavirus pandemic it seemed all but certain that Blue Santa would have to be shelved for the holiday season, but instead a can-do attitude among the Turlock Police Department is bringing the jolly ol’ elf back to the community.

“It’s been a lot of work and re-thinking how we could do this in a safe way, while also being fiscally responsible,” said Erika Grace, a crime prevention specialist with the police department, who is helping shepherd the operation. “We think we have come up with a way to make it happen.”

Operation Blue Santa started in 2012 with the mission of providing toys and donated items to children and families in need. Key components of the operation were school and home visits by Blue Santa and presentations on crime prevention and safety. It also relied heavily on volunteers to go out on shopping blitzs and gather for gift wrapping sessions. But this year, COVID-19 safety protocols made all of that impossible.

Continue Reading on Turlock Journal

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Where to Cut Your Own Christmas Tree or Buy One in Northern California

in Event News/Business & Economy

So you’ve had your fill of Thanksgiving leftovers and are ready to venture out to cut your own Christmas tree this year or pick one up from a local farm? Below is a guide for where to go in Northern California, if you’re looking for a fresh-cut tree.

Up to 30 million real Christmas trees are sold across the country each year, according to the National Christmas Tree Association. The association maintains this Google map of how to find a real tree near you.

For those hoping to score a permit to chop down a tree within designated areas of the Eldorado National Forest or Tahoe Basin, you’re out of luck. Permits for the 2020 season are already sold out.

Continue Reading on KCRA

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Annual Christmas Events in Merced County Adapting to COVID-19 Pandemic. Here’s the List

in Health/Event News

With the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, several holiday parades in Merced County are still moving forward with modifications.

At the top of the list, Merced’s annual Christmas parade will be a “reverse parade” this year, according Merced Recreation Supervisor Michelle Reid.

In past years, people typically lined Main Street to watch floats and performances make their way through downtown.

With the reverse parade, participants and their floats will be stationed along Main Street. Those in the parade will be wearing masks and socially distancing as members of the public drive past.

Continue Reading on Merced Sunstar

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Giving Thanks During a Pandemic

in Health/Event News

Thanksgiving is quickly approaching and like the rest of 2020, it is looking to potentially set itself apart from the “traditional” celebrations that many of us have come to know.

Both the Center of Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as well as Stan State president Ellen Junn have released statements recommending alternatives to the large gatherings typically associated with the holiday. Students now will be faced with the decision to improvise a new way of celebrating or to carry on with their original, non-pandemic impacted plans.

With the pandemic still continuing on, the CDC has released a list of recommendations on how to go about celebrating Thanksgiving this year. Some of the top advice that the CDC offers is to avoid travel, wear a mask when around others, and to minimize the sizes of gatherings in cases where gatherings are unavoidable.

Continue Reading on Signal

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