Local 4th of July Celebrations

4th of July is always a fun time to spend with family. This year the city's have a lot of fun planned. I have listed what I have been able to find. Have a safe and fun 4th of July!

City of Tracy: Celebrate Independence Day in Tracy as the Tracy Chamber of Commerce and City of Tracy host San Joaquin County's largest Fourth of July event. The Tracy Independence Day celebration is a free daylong celebration with festivities starting at 6 a.m. with a Hot Air Balloon lift-off and a Pancake Breakfast hosted by the Tracy Breakfast Lion's Club.

The festivities kick into high gear with a parade through historic downtown Tracy to Lincoln Park for official opening ceremonies at 10:30 a.m. emceed by Mayor Brent Ives.

Besides, music and entertainment the celebration includes several family friendly activities like a carnival area with rides for children by Fun & Games Rentals, craft booths by Intermission Productions, and bubble pavilion with Sparkles & Ravioli the clowns.

A diverse array of food, commercial vendors and arts & craft purveyors will be on-hand to showcase their talents and goods at the event.

The celebration will conclude with the annual all-American tradition of lighting up the sky with Fireworks at Tracy High School. The football Stadium will open its gates at 7 p.m. for the community to gather on the field to see the show. Seats are also available on the bleachers. There is a entrance fee to the Tracy High Stadium, adults, ages 13 and up are $4, children ages 2-12 are $2 and Seniors, 65 and over are $2. Firework display will be provided by Fireworks & Stage FX America and will begin at 9:30 p.m.

For more information contact the Tracy Chamber of Commerce at (209) 835-2131 or visit www.tracychamber.org

City of Manteca: date:Sunday, July 3, 2011time:4:00 PM to 10:30 PMvenue:Big League Dreamsaddress:1077 Milo Candini Drive Manteca, CA 95337 View map

City of Manteca 2011 Independence Day Celebration and Fireworks

Fireworks will be launched from the Wastewater Treatment Plant Best viewing is from inside Big League Dreams (admission requied)

This Old-Fashioned Celebration Features:
Children's Activities
Vendor booths
Softball Tournament
Live Family Entertainment
Home Run Derby
Annual Fireworks Show

Sponsored by the City of Manteca in Partnership with Big League Dreams

For more information call Manteca Parks and Recreation (209)-456-8600

Tickets: Adults - $2.00, Ages 13-17 - $1.00, Children 12 and under - Free

City of Modesto: The Jaycees Fourth of July Parade and Independence Day Celebration occurs in downtown Modesto. The celebration continues with the Picnic in the Park in Graceada Park. For more information, click here.

City of Stockton:

Monday, July 04, 2011 4th of July Celebration 11th Annual Open Car Show 8am-3pm, behind the High School 3 on 3 Basketball Tournament 8am-3pm, www.j3events.com for information Over 50 Arts, Crafts & Food Booths, open at 9am Bags Tournment 10am-3pm, www.j3events.com, Beer Tent Stockton FFA Pedal Tractor Pull 10:30am, Basketball Court Stockton Lions Famous BBQ Chicken 11am-7:3pm, Park House Pearl City Lions Club Mobile Bingo Beer Tent 11am-Midnight Presentation of the Colors 9pm, Stage Fireworks at Dusk LIVE STAGE ENTERTAINMENT Stockton Community Band 11:45am-12:30pm Little Big Band (Big Band Music) 1pm-3pm Sofa Kings (90's to today) 3:30pm-5:30pm Free Fall (Classic Rock) 6pm-8pm Entertainment sponsored in part by the Stockton Chamber of Commerce, Stockton Lions Club, Jo Carroll Energy, Monroe Clinic, Pearl City Elevator, and Johnson Oil.

Some pictures from our adventures so far this Spring/Summer

The boys have also started swim lessons through the city of Tracy. Here Ryan is jumping in with the help of his teacher and the other one is Connor kicking and trying to swing his arms as also.

We also signed up for the summer movie pass through Tracy's Cinemark 14 theater. It's a great way to get the boys used to sitting in a theater and I don't have to worry that we are disturbing anyone because it is full of kids! Here the boys are with their first tickets! We have yet to make it through and entire movie, but I am hopeful that by the end of July we will! Movie theater popcorn has been the one thing that keeps them in their seats the longest.

Go Bananas is always a hit! It's not normally as busy as the second picture shows. I think this was when we were having all the rain. Connor is going down the smaller slide head first in the second picture.

Here are some from Classic Gymnastics. Boys LOVE the rope drop into the foam pit!

Here are a couple from the gymnastics class through the city.Love Coach Peggy!

Here we are Blueberry picking at Jessop farms in Ripon. Open until end of July so make sure you don't miss out. When you first get there they have a small putting green and a sandbox area with blue sand! We froze our blueberries and just used some for blueberry pancakes on Sunday, yummy! http://www.jessopfarms.com/U_Pick.html

It's HOT! Water Fun...

When it gets hot you start thinking pool time! Have you been to the City of Livermore's city pool? Check it out! It has a zero entry area and a great slide structure in the middle. http://www.larpd.dst.ca.us/aquatics/rlc.html Open Now!

Tracy: RECREATIONAL SWIM Pinkie Phillips Aquatic Center, 1775 W. Lowell Ave.

Come enjoy a day of swimming and sun at the pool. Children 2 and under

are free when accompanied by a paying adult. Children under 7 are

admitted only when accompanied by a paying adult. Open weekends June

5 through September 5, and weekdays June 7 through August 6.

Fees: $2 per person or $15 for a 10-visit pass. Fees are collected at the

swimming pool.

It's a drive but don't forget about Waterworld in Concord. http://www.waterworldcalifornia.com/

Pleasanton. The Rapids Waterslides http://www.shadowcliffs.com/ Open now!

Antioch Water Park: http://www.ci.antioch.ca.us/citysvcs/prewett/ Now Open!

Closer to summer the City of Mountain House turns on the water at their park. That's always a fun time!

Have you checked out your cities Activity Guide?

The city of Tracy has a great Summer/Spring Activities Guide http://www.ci.tracy.ca.us/departments/parks/activity_listings/ Earlier this year we did the soccer classes and the boys seemed to really enjoy themselves. I started the parent/tot gymnastics class offered through the city last week and it is great! Coach Peggy is wonderful and patient and the boys love it!

We are doing swim lessons towards the end of this month and I am so excited they are old enough to do it without me getting in the water with them!!

Here is Modesto's : http://www.ci.modesto.ca.us/prnd/activityguide/

Ripon: http://www.cityofripon.org/Recreation/Recreation_Activities.html

Movies on the Plaza- Tracy

The warm weather will be here soon and that means it is time for movies outside! The city of Tracy is hosting three movie nights this year. Event begins at 6:30pm. Movie begins at sunset. Blankets and lawn chairs welcome, no pets.

June 10th- "Cats and Dogs, The Revenge of Kitty Galore"http://captaincritic.blogspot.com/2010/07/review-cats-dogs-revenge-of-kitty.html

July 15th- "Karate Kid"

August 5- "Toy Story 3"

School is almost out, here are some things to check out!

Just a reminder that the Lorikeets are back at Mickey Grove! http://www.mgzoo.com/lorikeet%202011.pdf

Blueberry picking starts today at Jessop farm! Great activity for kids of all ages! http://jessopfarms.com/U_Pick.htm

Have you been wanting to take your young one to the movies but worried about price or them disturbing others? Well Summer time means movie theaters often open up special times for your young ones to enjoy a special show. Search here to find a theater near you that offers this special opportunity. http://www.regmovies.com/s

ummermovieexpress/default.aspx?zip=95207

Fun stuff this weekend!

Lot's of fun things going on this weekend !

Children and Youth Day at Pixie Woods

Location: Pixie Woods in Louis Park
Shimizu Drive and Occidental Avenue MAP
Date: 5/14/11
Hours: 10:00 am to 3:30 pm
Prices: Free!
Ticket Info: For more information
call 209-461-2602.
Web site

Children and Youth Day is a free event held at Pixie Woods. Celebrating our 22nd year, children and families are invited to explore fun, hands-on opportunities provided by community agencies and businesses from throughout San Joaquin Valley. Live entertainment and a special reading of "Going on a Bear Hunt" by a local dignitary. Sponsored by the Family Resource and Referral Center and the City of Stockton, Community Services Department. Free Admission!

May 14th Music Concert for kids, 2:00-5:00 p.m. Featuring the Afternaps & The Little Bits with the Bad Goods

Admission $5, Kids 12 and under are free.

Plea for Peace Center

630 E. Weber Ave.

Stockton, CA

Saturday, May 14 - TRACY Farmers Market

Live music in the market by Midnight Breeze Agricultural producers and other vendors will sell fresh produce, bakery treats, local olive oil, honey and cheese, and more. The SATURDAY market will run through November 19.

Where: 10th Street between Central and B Street

When: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM

Who: FAMILY

How:

Cost: FREE

For more info: INFO: 800-949-3276 or www.pcfma.com

Saturday, May 14 - Día de los Niños at the library

The library will celebrate children with crafts, a puppet show and books for kids to take home, sponsored by Target.

Where: Tracy Branch Library, 20 E. Eaton Ave.

When: 2:30 PM

Who: Children

How:

Cost: FREE - SPONSORED BY TARGET

For more info: 937-8221

Elmo and Friends are coming to Stockton!

SESAME STREET LIVE: "ELMO'S HEALTHY HEROES"

May 31-June 1, Stockton

When Super Grover loses his superness, Sesame Street needs a hero! Never fear, Elmo and his team of Healthy Heroes are here. Teaching lessons of healthy habits through song and dance, Elmo, Abby Cadabby, and your favorite Sesame Street friends will explore exercise, nutrition, sleep/energy, and hygiene—all in a quest to put the "super" back in Super Grover. $12-$60. May 31 show at 7 p.m. June 1 shows at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Stockton Arena, 248 West Fremont Street, Stockton, (209) 373-1400, www.stocktonarena.com

May Events for your Family

May 4th Free Admission (First Wednesday of each month) to the Bay Area Discovery Museum http://www.baykidsmuseum.org/ I know this is a drive but I promise you it is worth the trip! Especially with all this beautiful weather, a trip to the Bay Area this week would be great! There are some great things for kids to do outside.

Third Annual Mother's Day Fair

by MichelleBurns

WHEN:	MAY 7, 2011 10:00 AM TO 02:00 PM
WHERE:	Premier Community Credit Union - Benjamin Holt Service Center
PHONE:	(209) 235-1100
ADDRESS:	3255 W. Benjamin Holt Drive Stockton, CA 95219
URL:	http://www.premierccu.org/
AGES:	NONE
COST:	FREE

DESCRIPTION:

Join us for our 3rd Annual Mother’s Day Fair and give your mother a gift she is sure to love! Enjoy free family pictures, food, drinks, goodie bags, vendor booths, a bounce house, games and much more! This event is free and open to the public so come join us!

May 14th Music Concert for kids, 2:00-5:00 p.m. Featuring the Afternaps & The Little Bits with the Bad Goods

Admission $5, Kids 12 and under are free.

Plea for Peace Center

630 E. Weber Ave.

Stockton, CA

Children & Youth Day

Saturday, May 14

Craft activities, Entertainment, and Information for Children & Youth at Pixie Woods at Louis Park in Stockton.

Where: Pixie Woods at Louis Park in Stockton

When: 10:00 AM - 3:30 PM 10:30am special reading

Who: Sponsored by Family Resource & referral Center

How: Featuring a special reading of "We're Going on a Bear Hunt" by a very special dignitary at 10:30am in the Toadstool Theater

Cost: FREE! Regular fees apply to the train, boat & merry go round rides.

For more info: Call 1-800-526-1555

Blueberry Picking Season starts May 23rd at Jessop Farms in Ripon http://jessopfarms.com/

For older kids

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL: QUIDAM

May 11-15, Sacramento

A young girl who thinks she's already seen all that life has to offer gets so angry that she shatters her world and enters a new universe called Quidam. She is then joined by new characters who take her on an adventure that is both terrifying and marvelous. $37-$101. Showtimes vary. Power Balance Pavilion (formerly the Arco Arena), One Sports Parkway, Sacramento, (916) 928-690

TASTE OF SAN JOAQUIN AND WAY OUT WEST BBQ CHAMPIONSHIP

May 21, Stockton

The area's best restaurants share tastes of their local fare with guests, as they enjoy a full lineup of live rock and blues entertainment, kid-friendly activities, a motorcycle display, and a great selection of beer, microbrews, and local wines. The BBQ Championship also features over forty teams who will offer tastes of their award-winning dishes fresh off the grill for only $1 each. $3 admission, kids free. 11:30 a.m.-7 p.m. Weber Point, 221 North Center St., Stockton, (209) 464-5246, www.tasteofsanjoaquin.com www.tasteofsanjoaquin.com

GLEE LIVE! IN CONCERT!

May 22, Sacramento

This gathering of "gleeks" features 13 cast members from the popular TV show Glee as they perform some of their most beloved musical numbers live, including hits like "Toxic," "My Life Would Suck Without You," and of course, "Don't Stop Believing." $52-$92. 7:30 p.m. Power Balance Pavilion (formerly the Arco Arena), One Sports Parkway, Sacramento, (916) 928-6900, www.powerbalancepavilion.com www.powerbalancepavilion.com

THE NEW CHILDREN'S BALLET THEATER

May 26-27, Tracy

Watch San Joaquin's budding ballet stars as they reinterpret three award-winning children's books on stage through the art of dance. The stories include beloved classics like "The Jewel Heart," "Lon Popo: A Red Riding Hood Story from China," and "There's a Nightmare in my Closet." Free. 6:30 p.m. Grand Theatre Center for the Arts, 715 Central Ave., Tracy, (209) 831-6TKT, www.atthegrand.org, www.balletsanjoaquin.com