Spring is in the air at these nine great warm-weather events
From blossoming garden tours to outdoor festivals, here are nine great ways to catch spring fever throughout the Sacramento region.
Doggy Dash
April 9 Land Park goes to the dogs at this 23rd annual pup-themed 2K and 5K walk, which benefits the Sacramento SPCA. Post-race, canines and their two-legged companions can woof it up at the Bark at the Park Festival, which will include a Frisbee competition and the Ruff Mutter mud obstacle course, and contests like So Ugly I’m Cute and Best Pet-Owner Lookalike. Sip suds at the beer garden hosted by Oak Park Brewing Company and nosh on fare from SactoMoFo food trucks. $30-$40. 8 a.m.-1:30 p.m. William Land Park. Sutterville Rd. and Freeport Blvd. 504-2802. sspca.org
Picnic Day
April 16 For the 102nd time, UC Davis will open its doors for Picnic Day, touted as the largest student-run event in the country. Watch the Cal Aggie Marching Band-uh! show off their skills in the Battle of the Bands, try made-to-order treats at the liquid nitrogen ice cream demos, or watch the dachshund and cockroach races. Free. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. UC Davis campus. 530-752-6320. picnicday.ucdavis.edu
Wildflower Wonders
April 16 Late winter showers have brought April flowers to Rancho Cordova for this plant celebration at Soil Born Farms. Hundreds of the region’s native wildflowers will be showcased as cuttings in planters, along with exhibits like “Monarch Butterfly Waystations” with UC Davis naturalist Greg Kareofelas and “Birds of a Feather” with the Sacramento Audubon’s director Bill Bianco. Kids can also check out the Discovery Zone complete with an art table (where they can draw flowers), microscopes to view petals and leaves up close, and a nature scavenger hunt. On your way out, visit the plant sale with native varieties for your home garden. Free. 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Soil Born Farms. 2140 Chase Dr. Rancho Cordova. 812-2876. sacvalleycnps.org
Sacramento Earth Day
April 24 Flock to this eco-friendly festival at Southside Park to get a first-hand look at organizations like bat rescue association NorCalBats, the Sacramento River Parkway Coalition, and Capay Valley-based produce delivery service Farm Fresh To You. Plus, the KTalon Band and Fo’Shang’s Thang will perform, and watch the Citlali Aztec dancers. Kids can get their faces painted, plant seeds in biodegradable pots and meet the Sacramento River Cats’ mascot Dinger. Plus, munch on treats like Indian food from Raja’s Tandoor, Mexican eats from Xochimilco, and non-dairy popsicles from DavePops. Free. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Southside Park. 700 T St. 444-0022. ecosacramento.net
Gardens of Folsom Tour
April 30-May 1 This 16th annual tour, hosted by the Folsom Garden Club, highlights the manicured foliage and country-style ponds of six local residents’ yards, with unique features like drought-tolerant gardens, an outdoor kitchen and a French country chicken coop. While strolling through the yards, you will be greeted by the club’s master gardeners to answer your questions, and on the way out you can visit a plant sale and pick up snacks at a bake sale. $15 (free for ages 15 and under). 11 a.m.-4 p.m. 221-2457. 112 Vierra Circle. Folsom. folsomgarden.org
Roseville Berryfest
May 7-8 In the 1920s, Placer County earned the moniker “Fruit Shipping Capital of the World,” and this year, it will once again spotlight its bounty of berries at this annual Mother’s Day weekend jubilee. The two-day fête will feature a Little Miss Strawberry Pageant, strawberry-shortcake-eating contest, a kids’ carnival with an obstacle course and rides like the Berry-go-round, and cooking demonstrations during which local and student chefs will make berry dishes. Attendees can gorge on fruit-full fare like strawberry flan, strawberry kettle corn and strawberry tamales, and sample berry-infused beer from Roseville Brewing Company. $10. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Placer County Fairgrounds. 800 All American City Blvd. Roseville. 787-0101. feedmeberries.com
East Sacramento Garden Tour
May 7-8 Celebrate Mother’s Day by spending an afternoon strolling through gardens in the Fab Forties neighborhood of East Sacramento. Seven eclectic residences will open their yards for guests to view features like Mediterranean pools, Italian courtyards and a rose-wrapped cottage with lush gardens. The self-guided tour also offers a Mother’s Day luncheon catered by Sarah’s Kitchen at the Tea Garden at Sutter Lawn Tennis Club. $20 in advance; $25 on May 7 & 8 (additional $15 for Mother’s Day luncheon). 10 a.m.-4 p.m. davidlubingardentour.com
Capital City Classic
May 15 Soak in Sacramento’s warming weather by taking a run past downtown landmarks like the Capitol, Crocker Park, Tower Bridge and the Sacramento River. This annual run lets participants sprint, jog and walk their way through 5K, 10K and 10-mile races. Kids can also get in on the action with a half-mile fun run, and refreshments and music greet all runners at the finish line like a breath of fresh air. Prices vary by race and purchase date. 8 a.m. 951 Riverfront St. West Sacramento. 530-757-2012. changeofpace.com
Sacramento County Fair
May 26-30 Celebrate the unofficial start of summer with five days of festival fun at this annual fair, which takes place at Cal Expo over Memorial Day weekend. Check out competitions like a corn-dog-eating contest and diaper derby (tiny tots have 90 seconds to crawl from one cheering parent to the other), and agricultural displays like the yearly Farm Garden in a Wheelbarrow exhibit. Youngsters can visit a petting zoo, take pony and camel rides, or hop on one of over 10 rides in the kids’ carnival, and hungry fair-goers can munch on eats like turkey legs, funnel cakes and, of course, churros. $5. Thurs.-Sun. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Monday 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Cal Expo. 1600 Exposition Blvd. 263-2975. sacfair.com
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