May brings anticipation to those ready to end a school year. Memorial Weekend, the last week in May, celebrates summer's arrival with many events, picnics, and trips to the beach. May is also a busy season for the launch of summertime festivals & events such as fairs.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

BIG SUR: Big Sur Marathon. Annual sell-out event is a Boston Qualifying run ranked as one of the top 3 marathons in the U.S. Runners must shuttle in on buses from Monterey & Carmel hotels and locations provided. bsim

CALISTOGA: Calistoga Tamale Festival from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Cost is free, and the event is sponsored by the Calistoga Family Center (calistogafamilycenter ). The annual event is held in downtown Calistoga along Cedar St. and Pioneer Park, Calistoga, CA

COLMA: Malloy's Chili Cookoff. Molloy's / Colma District event includes live music, raffles, tasting. Location: Historical Old Molloy's, Colma, California. chilicookoff

CUPERTINO:Cupertino Cherry Blossom Festival - April 30-May 1, 2011. Annual festival honors the anniversary of Cupertino's sister relationship with Toyokawa, Japan. Memorial Park, across from De Anza College, Stevens Creek Blvd., Cupertino. 940-5227. cupertinotoyokawa .

HALF MOON BAY: Pacific Coast Dream Machines Car Show. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Location: Half Moon Bay Airport, Half Moon Bay, CA miramarevents

INDIO: Stagecoach Music Festival April 30 - May, 2011. Top acts include Carrie Underwood, k.d. lang and The Siss Boom Bang, Kenny Chesney, Leon Russell, Mel Tillis, Gatlin Brothers, Rascal Flatts Steel Magnolia, and many more. 2 day pass 57 approx. Location: Empire Polo Club, Indio, CA. stagecoachfestival

KELSEYVILLE: Heron Festival April 30 - May 1, 2011. A celebration of birds, wildlife, and springtime on beautiful Clear Lake!

Location: Clear Lake State Park. Kelseyville, CA. heronfestival

LODI: Lodi Street Faire. About 700 vendors participate at each event, selling antiques, arts & crafts and commercial items. Time: 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. lodichamber

LOS BANOS: Merced County Spring Fair April 27 - May 1, 2011 co.merced.ca.u

MONROVIA: Cinco de Mayo Festival. Cultural Arts and Music Festival along the 100 block of East Colorado Boulevard in Old Town sponsored by the Monrovia Cinco de Mayo Association, will feature food, music, art , folklorico dances and crafts from 2 to 8 p.m. cityofmonrovia

NEWPORT BEACH: Newport Beach Film Festival . 350 films from over 40 countries will be shown with several after parties and special events hosted at Fashion Island. NewportBeachFilmFest

PARADISE: Gold Nugget Days Apr. 28 - May 1, 2011

SAN FRANCISCO: How Weird Festival. Enjoy a really strange event with weird costumes (wear something crazy) and music on numerous stages. Time: Noon to 8 p.m. Howard & 2nd Streets, San Francisco, CA. howweird

SANTA BARBARA : Fair & Expo April 27 - May 2, 2011 earlwarren Theme in 2011 - The Land of Ahhhh's

SANTA CLARITA: Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival. April 27 - May 1, 2011. Great Western Music and Cowboy Poetry, authentic cowboy gear, food, and more, at Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio. In 2011 the entertainment includes Sons of San Joaquin, Sourdough Slim, Chris Isaacs, Waddie Mitchell, many more. Time: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. General Admission: , kids; - 0 for tours, special events. Location: Melody Ranch (shuttle parking nearby) cowboyfestival

SANTA MARIA: Valley Strawberry Festival April 29 - May 1 santamariafairpark

TEMECULA: The 2011 Champagne Jazz Concert - 23rd Annual Champagne Jazz Series at Thornton Winery features Jesse Cook at 4 p.m. , 20 gourmet supper package. Tickets (951) 699-3021 or thorntonwine , fee charged.

THOUSAND OAKS: Thousand Oaks Rotary Club Chili Cookoff

Regional. Includes children's entertainment, bingo, local and regional bands. Location: Conejo Creek Park, Janss Rd & Hwy 23, Thousand Oaks, California. Chilicookoff

Sunday May 1, 2011

HALF MOON BAY: Pacific Coast Dream Machines 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

It's a car and air show that includes both automobiles and planes. Admission (subject to change): ; age 11-17 and 65+; free for kids age 10 and under. Half Moon Bay Airport (9850 N. Cabrillo Highway) is located on Highway 1, 20 miles south of San Francisco and 5 miles north of Highway 92. For information, 650-726-2328. miramarevents

PARADISE: Gold Nugget Days April 28 - May 1, 2011

The theme is "Gold Diggins." Gold Nugget Days. Commemorates 1859 discovery of a 54-pound gold nugget. Historical Queen Contest, old fashioned melodrama, arts & crafts fair, parade, donkey derby, costumed ball, and many fun activities will be in store for attendees. Location: Paradise, CA. 872-8722. goldnuggetmuseum

SANTA CLARITA: Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival Apr. 27 - May 1

Location: Waddie Mitchell, Chris Isaacs, Sourdough Slim, Hot Club of Cowtown, Chuck Pyle, Messick Family, John Hustead, Buffalo Soldiers, Eagle Spirit Dancers, Wayde Hatch, Crosstown Cowboys, Sons of San Joaquin, many more. Location: Melody Ranch, Santa Clarita, CA. 5 - 150 (weekend pass). Cowboyfestival

STANFORD: St. Lawrence String Quartet

The partnership between the St. Lawrence String Quartet and Osvaldo Golijov has been among the richest and most important of collaborations and friendships for both. The shared affinities of deeply felt music-making, mutual admiration, and exquisite detail in their work underpin a long relationship. An early champion of Golijov's music, the St. Lawrence String Quartet earned two Grammy nominations for its 2002 recording of his Yiddishbbuk. The forthcoming piece, commissioned by Stanford Lively Arts for the Quartet, will anchor a weekend of activities spotlighting Golijov and the St. Lawrence. In honor of his visit, the St. Lawrence's Sunday program will also include a major work by one of Golijov's favorite composers, Schubert.

Time: 2:30 p.m. 9.60–45. Address: Dinkelspiel Auditorium, 450 Serra Mall, Stanford, CA. 725-2787. livelyarts.stanford.edu

SUNOL: Toast of Spring on the Wildflower Train

One hour excursion filled with views of California poppies, lupin and mustard wildflowers seen from a vintage train ride through Niles Canyon. Board at the old Sunol depot and travel part of the historic route of the first transcontinental railroad. The one-hour round-trip excursion is about 14 miles. Suggested donation for regular trips: kid, . Sunol Station, 6 Kilkare Rd., Sunol, CA 862-9063. ncry

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