7 fun things to do this Memorial Day weekend
From music and film festivals to barbecue with the River Cats and brunch down Old Sacramento’s Front Street, here are 7 fun ways to spend this Memorial Day weekend.
Sunset Sip
May 24: Get a head start on the weekend along Old Sacramento’s newly refurbished Sacramento River embarcadero with an evening of wine tasting at the Sunset Sip. Attendees can fill their complimentary Old Sacramento Waterfront glasses with tastes of 40 unique pours from 20 El Dorado Wine Association wineries, including Placerville’s Boeger and Somerset’s Oakstone. Pre-registered guests can chat with the makers themselves or sample holiday munchies from Delta Bar & Grill and The Chefs’ Olive Mix, the latter of which will provide olive oil and breads to pair with the vino, while Sacramento-based reggae band Simple Creation provides the soundtrack to the evening. $45-$70. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Old Sacramento. 1050 Front St. 916-970-5226. oldsacramento.com
Sacramento County Fair
May 24-28: Hold onto your hats and ride into the 82nd annual Sacramento County Fair at Cal Expo, where fattening foods, petting zoos and roaring bull rides are part of the five-day tradition. In addition to traditional fair fare like funnel cakes and fried desserts and vegetables from vendors like Jeanne’s Artichokes, All American Grill and Sweet Cheeks, this year’s fête will also feature over-the-top culinary curiosities like deep-fried bologna and Flamin’ Hot Cheetos burritos. Local Tom Petty cover band Great Wide Open will serenade the crowds while kiddos can play 6-foot-tall board games like Battleship and Operation at the Mind Works exhibit or test their cooking skills in the kitchen at the Kids Can Cook demo. $6-$35. Cal Expo. 1600 Exposition Blvd. 916-263-2975. sacfair.com
Spring Strawberry Music Festival
May 24-28: Camp out under the stars at the Nevada County Fairgrounds for a “berry” patriotic weekend as over 20 folk, rock and country musicians will take to the stage at the 67th iteration of the Strawberry Music Festival in Grass Valley. The lineup at the five-day event includes blues legend Taj Mahal and rising soft rock band Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, as well as Grammy-winning contemporary folk artist Dave Alvin and three-time nominee Jimmie Dale Gilmore. Beyond the music, festivalgoers can also attend workshops about photography, water coloring and pottery or rub shoulders and learn the traits from local artisanal cobblers and jewelers. Guests are encouraged to spend the entire weekend, tenting out under the stars and getting to know fellow campers. Prices and times may vary. Nevada County Fairgrounds. 11228 McCourtney Rd. Grass Valley. 209-984-8630. strawberrymusic.com
BBQ with the River Cats
May 25-28: The Sacramento River Cats will square off with the Albuquerque Isotopes in a four-game series that spans the entirety of this long holiday weekend. In addition to watching the team take the field, each game will feature special events that are suited for people of all ages. The first 2,500 fans on Friday will get a River Cats camouflage snapback hat while the music of Sacramento funk group The Gold Souls plays in the background. On Saturday, the baseball players will salute the troops by sporting black-on-black camouflage uniforms, which will be auctioned off later that night to benefit the Boys & Girls Club, followed by a fireworks show. On Sunday, kids can also meet their favorite players, get their faces painted and run the bases on the field. And on Monday, come hungry for an all-you-can-eat barbecue of burgers, hot dogs, tri-tip and baked beans. $10-$55. Times Vary. Raley Field. 400 Ballpark Dr. West Sacramento. rivercats.com
Sacramento Asian Pacific Film Festival
May 26-27: Returning for its fourth year, the Sacramento Asian Pacific Film Festival will celebrate the heritage and accomplishments of the city’s Asian American and Pacific Islander community by showcasing over 20 films and hosting numerous panel discussions with the filmmakers and area activists. With this year’s theme, “Beyond Resistance,” the festival will feature documentaries that focus on lesser-known histories like The Delano Manongs from director Marissa Aroy, which explores Filipino farm workers involvement with the United Farm Workers Union, and Yuri Kochiyama: Passion for Justice by Pat Saunders and Rea Tajiri, highlighting life of the titular Japanese-American activist who worked alongside Malcolm X during the anti-war movement. The festival will end with director Justin Chon’s Gook, a violent exploration of the complicated relationships between working class Asians and African-Americans during the 1992 L.A. riot. $15 per screening ($60 for festival pass). California Museum. 1020 O St. 916-776-6036. sapff.org
Brunch on Front Street
May 27: Stop by for the bubbly mimosas at the first-ever Brunch on Front Street. You can be one of about 200 guests that will gather around long wooden farm tables on the cobblestone street to break bread—or maybe just pastries from nearby bakery Steamers—at this festive communal-style meal that stretches down Front Street in Old Sacramento. Partake in the four courses of brunch classics, each prepared by a different Old Sacramento eatery, including cider-brined pork loin from Delta Bar & Grill, ranch egg quiche from Fat City Bar & Grill and stuffed tomatoes with locally smoked tofu and garlic gremolata from Firehouse. $25 ($35 with mimosas). 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Old Sacramento. 1050 Front St. 916-970-5226. oldsacramento.com
Memorial Day Car Show: Featuring Vettes and Vets
May 28: The California Automobile Museum will display its patriotism this Memorial Day by exhibiting over 90 models of the all-American Chevy Corvettes from all generations during the ninth annual car show. Veterans who bring their own vehicles can enter the Best Veteran-owned contest, where a panel of judges will determine the sleekest from the bunch. New this year, kids can sign up to be one of the 10 judges who get to vote for their favorite cars or join their parents to see specialty military vehicles like the Homeland Security Humvee and a WWII Jeep. $10 ($5 for children ages 5-17; free for ages 5 & under). Free for military members, veterans and their families. 9 a.m.-2 p.m. California Automobile Museum. 2200 Front St. 916-442-6802. calautomuseum.org
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