The 4th of July Kiddie Parade

The annual 4th of July Parade is the cutest and sweetest of all the parades that we have in Hollister. The main participants are the children of Hollister. It's also the shortest, and the only parade that does not go along the main street of Dowtown Hollister.

The Independence Day Kiddie Parade starts at 10 a.m. It marches down Memorial Drive, between Hillcrest Road and Meridian Street, to Marguerite Maze School.

All children and their adults are welcome to join the parade. Kids can walk, pedal their bicycles, push their scooters, ride their wagons or strollers, and so forth. If you want to be in the parade from the start, meet at the corner of Hillcrest Road and Memorial Drive before 10 a.m.

If you're a sentimental old fool like me who plans to watch the parade, be sure to bring tissues or a hankie in case you start crying because you're watching such a cute and sweet parade.

Three More Days Until. . .

The Hollister Freedom Rally!

Over this Fourth of July weekend, the number of people in Hollister shall be nearly threefold, if not more, as bikers from all over California, the United States, and even the world rumble in to visit the Birthplace of the American Biker. 

Lots of activities are planned for this free three-day event, from Friday, July 3, to Sunday, July 5. 

Touring Vietnam Veterans Memorial 

The Touring Vietnam Veterans Memorial, hosted by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars and American Legion branches, will be arriving on Thursday afternoon. It'll be set up at Dunne Park on Seventh Street. For more details, check out this article. 

Friday Contests

Who's got the best tattoos? Join or watch the tattoo contest at the Veteran's Building Stage. Registration is between 2:00 and 2:30 p.m., with the contest starting immediately afterwards. 

The Custom Bike Show is a competition of the best bikes in various categories, such as the Best Custom Bike, Best Bobber, and Best Paint. Participants will display their bikes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on the lawn at the corner of San Benito and Fourth Streets. The award ceremony will be 5:30 p.m. 

Saturday

On Saturday, actors Tommy Flanagan (Chibs) and Mark Boone Junior (Bobby) of Sons of Anarchy will be doing a Meet & Greet at the Veterans Memorial Building, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

Starting at 6:15 p.m. on the 7th Street Stage will be the Ms. Hollister Freedom Rally Contest.  For more details, click on this link. 

Live Music All Day Long

Bands will be performing on three stages in Downtown Hollister. Music will run on Friday and Saturday, from 12 to 6 p.m., and on Sunday, from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. For the schedule of bands, visit this page.

Live performances will also be happening at Bolado Park, the official campground for the Motorcycle Rally, on Friday and Saturday. Many local bands, such as Change in the Weather and Kizmet, will be performing there from 3:30 p.m. to 10 p.m. Admission fee for non-campers is $10. Check out this link for the schedule. 

Headlining Concerts

This year, the rally will feature big-time concerts in Downtown Hollister. The streets will be rocking and rolling with The Fabulous Thunderbirds on Friday and The Guess Who (yes, the Guess Who!) on Saturday. Both concerts start at 7:30 p.m. You can purchase tickets online at the Hollister Freedom Rally web site. 

There's a lot more going on. Check out the Hollister Freedom Rally web site and Facebook page for more info.   

Today, I'm linking up with Our World Tuesday. Click here to check out posts from participants from around the world.

The Quiet Before the V-r-r-r-r-r-mmmm

Come this Friday morning, the streets of Downtown Hollister will be filled with bikers and their motorcycles, and will stay filled until Sunday evening.

We expect tens of thousands of visitors in Hollister over the Fourth of July weekend for the annual Hollister Freedom Rally, a free biker event that is said to be the largest in California. For the details, visit the Hollister Freedom Rally website.

Fremont Peak in Clear Sight

I had no idea that Fremont Peak can be seen so clearly from Mission San Juan Bautista. It's no wonder Mexican Commandante General José Castro was infuriated when he looked up there and saw the American flag and makeshift fort that U.S. Army Captain John Fremont and his men put up for three days in March 1845.

Originally known as Gavilan Peak, the landmark became Fremont Peak State Park in 1934. It's open year round for day use from 8 a.m. to half-an-hour after sunset. Overnight camping is available.

The views are gorgeous from up there. You can see over to the Monterey Bay/Santa Cruz coast line.

If you're into seeing the night skies, check out the free public viewings offered by the Fremont Peak Observatory Association on selected Saturdays, usually from Spring through early Fall.

The California Welcome Center—Salinas

The other day, the Husband and I dropped into the California Welcome Center in Salinas so that I could get some brochures and such about Salinas and Monterey County to inspire me with future story ideas. Sure, I could research the Internet, and I shall, but I also like to read printed materials. Call me old, I don't mind it. Besides, I love going into visitors centers. It's like going into a library, which I also love to visit, and being welcomed by books full of knowledge and entertaining stories. The California Welcome Center in Salinas certainly lived up to that. 

It's a bright and cheery place with friendly, helpful staff. That morning, the Husband and I met Inez Don Carlos, Assistant Manager, who kindly kept pulling out brochures, pamphlets, and maps of some familiar and many not-so-familiar places to check out in Monterey County. She also gave us tips of places to visit in Salinas, such as the windmill at the Harden Foundation (which I'll write about another day), and when are the best times to visit the area. For instance, in the summer, you might plan your trips around the various festivals that take place in Monterey County. 

State welcome centers are located throughout California, each covering a particular region. The California Welcome Center in Salinas is one of three centers in the California Central Coast, and it covers the Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Cruz counties. Although designated by the state of California, the nonprofit welcome centers are not run by it. Some are connected with a city visitor's center or a chamber of commerce, while others, such as the Salinas center, are independent. 

The Salinas center has a plethora of brochures, pamphlets, maps, and gorgeous visitor guides to help you plan your adventures and tours for visiting families and friends, not just in our area, but also in other parts of California. You'll also find books, postcards, and souvenirs of our area for sale at the center. Be sure to check out the maps on the wall that show where visitors to the center have come. It's rather impressive. 

The center is located at 1213 North Davis Road, at the south end of the shopping complex that's on the west side of Highway 101, near the Laurel Street exit. It's open every day from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.  Here is its Facebook page and website.

By the way, did you know that the artichoke has been our official state vegetable since 2013? Who knows how long I would've gone ignorant about that fact if we hadn't stepped into the California Welcome Center in Salinas the other morning. 

November – December 2015 Annual Events in San Benito County

Here are some annual events taking place in November and December of this year in San Benito County. Click the following links to find out about events in other months.

• March - May 2015
• June - July 2015
• August - October 2015

NOVEMBER 2015

November 11: Veterans Day Parade  

November 28: 25th Annual Lights On Celebration  For its Facebook page, click here. 

DECEMBER 2015

To Be Announced: 4th Annual Holiday Stroll Through Time in San Juan Bautista

To Be Announced: 10th Annual Holiday in Lights Parade in San Juan Bautista 

December 18: Annual Holiday Bonfire/Hayden Christmas Celebration in San Juan Bautista

December 21: Winter Solstice at the Old Mission San Juan Bautista

August – October 2015 Annual Events in San Benito County

Here are some annual events taking place in August through October this year in San Benito County. Click the following links to find out about events in other months.

• March - May 2015
• June - July 2015
• November - December 2015

AUGUST 2015

August 6 - 8: The Good Old Fashioned Blue Grass Festival  at Bolado Park

August 9: 51st Annual Antique and Collectibles Fair sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Juan Bautista  

To Be Announced: Vaquero Heritage Days in San Juan Bautista

To Be Announced: 2nd Annual Boots and Brews Family Fest   at Jardines de San Juan in San Juan Bautista

SEPTEMBER 2015

September 13: Mexican Independence Day Parade in Downtown Hollister

September 19 - October 18: Northern California Renaissance Faire at Casa de Fruta (weekends only)

September 26 - 27: Annual Cactus and Succulent Show Fall Sale in San Juan Bautista  

September 25: Double Road Race in San Juan Bautista

OCTOBER 2015

October 1 - 4: San Benito County Fair 

October 1 - 31: Pumpkin Junction at Casa de Fruta

October 17: 3rd Annual San Benito Olive Festival

October 23: San Benito High School Homecoming Parade Downtown Hollister

To Be Announced: 7th Annual San Juan Bautista Ghost Walk  sponsored by the Rotary Club of San Juan Bautista

To Be Announced: Alfred Hitchcock's "Vertigo Day" at San Juan Bautista State Historic Park

To Be Announced: Swank Farms Corn Maze & Pumpkin Patch

March – May 2015 Annual Events in San Benito County

Who else wants to know when the annual events are happening in Hollister, San Juan Bautista, Aromas, and other places in San Benito County? Yup, me, too. Over the next few days, I'll post dates for upcoming events in 2015.  Today, check out what will be up in March, April and May. Click the following links to find out about events in other months:
•  June - July 2015
•  August - October 2015
•  November - December 2015

MARCH 2015

March 20: Champagne Tea and Treasure Fundraiser for the Women's Club and Friends of the Library 

March 28 - 29: Annual San Juan Spring Arts and Crafts Festival  

March 29: Top Hatters BBQ and Blessing of the Bikes 

APRIL 2015

April 3 - 5: 25th Annual Arts, Crafts and Music Festival at Casa de Fruta

April 11: Walk a Mile in Her Shoes

April 18: Hollister Downtown Association Plant Sale and Garden Expo 

April 18 - 19: Annual Cactus and Succulent Spring Show and Sale in San Juan Bautista, sponsored by the Monterey Bay Cactus & Succulent Society of America

April 25 - 26: Open Studios Art Tour throughout San Benito County

MAY 2015

May 2: Downtown Wine and Beer Stroll 

May 2 - 3: 31st Annual California Indian Market & Peace Pow Wow

May 6 - September 30: Certified Farmers' Market — every Wednesday, from 3 to 7:30 p.m., in Downtown Hollister

May 16 - 17:  Annual San Juan Bautista Rib Cook-Off

Popol Vuh: Heart of Heaven

Over the next two weekends, El Teatro Campesiño, of San Juan Bautista, will offer free outdoor performances of Popol Vuh: Heart of Heaven in San Juan Bautista and Hollister. This original play is based on the sacred creation book, Popol Vuh, of the Mayans. It uses large-scale puppets, pageantry, and live music to tell the story of how the creators formed the  universe and earth. The play is narrated in English, Spanish, and Qu'iche Mayan. For a detailed description of the play, please click here.

On August 30, August 31, and September 1, at 3 PM,  Popol Vuh: Heart of Heaven, will be performed at the San Juan Soccer Field in San Juan Bautista. On September 6 and 7, at 3 PM, it will be presented at Dunne Park in Hollister. 

Remember, it's free! And, it's perfect for children of all ages. Be sure to bring your hats, water, and chairs.

Cooking Demos at the Farmers Market

This year, the Hollister Farmers Market has added cooking demonstrations, which are given across from the Veterans Memorial Building. Every week is a different theme. So far, local farmers and agricultural organizations have presented ways to prepare artichokes, mushrooms, cherries, stone fruits, corn, and Blenheim apricots. Yum!

The demonstrations are given at 5:30 PM and 6:45 PM every Wednesday during the Farmers Market, which runs from 3 to 7:30 PM. For more info about the Farmers Market, visit this page at the Hollister Downtown Association website.

Mr. O's Academy of the Arts 2014 Spring Concert

Next Sunday, May 18, 2014, Mr. O's Academy of the Arts will hold its Annual Spring Concert from 12 noon to 5 PM at the school on 360 Sixth Street in downtown Hollister. The free event will feature local musicians Kaleb Askew, dogHouse, Tim Duffy, Jeff Hardy, David Huboi and the Architecturals, Mariachi Alma de Mexico, Bob Reid, and Mr. O's Jazz Band.

For more details, call Mr. O's Academy of the Arts at 831-636-3813.

Mr. O's Jazz Band played at the
2013 Downtown Wine & Beer Stroll

A Week of Fun at the San Benito County Free Library

This  week, April 14 to 18, our local library—the San Benito County Free Library—is celebrating two events. One is our library's 97th Anniversary. Whooo-hooo! The other is the 2014 National Library Week. Many fun, free activities are scheduled over the next few days.

Today, April 14: Customer and Volunteer Appreciation Day!
11 AM to 3 PM: Anniversary Cake will be served to library patrons.
2 to 2:45 PM: Youth Financial Literacy Workshop. Door prizes and swag bags will be given out to teen participants. 

Tuesday, April 15
2 pm and 5 pm: Movie and Popcorn. The movie Frozen will be shown. Seating is limited.

Wednesday, April 16
2 to 5:30 pm: Techie Toybox. Patrons are invited to play with ipads, iphones, and Kindle Fire work.

Thursday, April 17
3:30 to 5:30 PM: Kid's Fun Day! Children's games and crafts will be featured, along with a chance to win a free book. 

Friday, April 18
5 to 7 pm: Author Talks will feature local authors, Renette Torres (Widow's Peak) and John E. Chadwell (Werewolves of New Idria). Light refreshments will be served.

Again, all activities are free. The library is located at 470 Fifth Street, near the corner of West Street. For more details, visit the San Benito County Free Library website or the Friends of the Library Facebook Page, or call 831-636-4107.

Marine Band Jazz Combo

Musical magic came to Hollister last night in the form of the Marine Corps Band Jazz Combo from San Diego, particularly in the performance by the saxophonist, Sgt. Charlie Arbelaez.  Oorah!

Here's a video of the Jazz Combo playing Caravan. I have no idea of the date or location of the performance, but it gives you an idea of last night's wonder.  Along with Sgt. Arbelaez, the guitarist in the video was also one of last night's performers.

 

By the way, the Baler Band started off the evening. I tell you, we have a lot of young talented musicians living in our town. If you'd like to hear some of them, check out the County-Wide Music Festival tonight at 7 PM at the San Benito High School Mattson Gym. The free concert will feature the elementary, middle, and high school bands.

Three Free Community Concerts

That's right! Free music concerts will be happening in Hollister over the next two weeks. Three of them. And, each concert is free. So, no complaining about there being nothing to do in our town. You can complain that you wish you had known sooner. But, not to me.

Free Concert Number One

Tonight the Marine Corps Jazz Band will be performing at the Veterans' Memorial Building on the corner of San Benito and Seventh Streets. Time: 5:30 PM. For more details, check out Mr. O's Jazz Band Facebook page.

 

 

Free Concert Number Two

The County-wide Music Festival featuring the elementary, middle, and high schools bands in San Benito County will be taking place tomorrow evening (Thursday, April 3) at 7 PM at  San Benito High School. It will be held in the Mattson Gym, which is on the corner of Monterey Street and Nash Road. Mr. O's Jazz Band will also be performing at the festival. 

Free Concert Number Three

This year, the Watsonville Community Band is performing its 66th Spring Concert Series -- The Hounds of Spring -- throughout the Central Coast. The band will be in Hollister on Sunday, April 13 at 2 PM in the Veterans' Memorial Building. The band's members come from Santa Cruz, Monterey, San Benito, and Santa Clara counties. For more about the Watsonville Community Band, head over to its web site or its Facebook page.

Free Events -- Saturday, February 8, 2014

If you're looking for indoor things to do tomorrow (as it rains, hurrah!), check out these two events in town. And, they are absolutely free!

Super Hero Story Time  -- 11 AM

Ernie Reyes' West Coast World Martial Arts, at 351 Tres Pinos Road, is having a Super Hero Story Time featuring local storyteller Julie Engelhardt. Children and adults are invited to come in costume as Super Heroes.  Special hero guest will be Batman who will be available to take photos with folks. Also dropping by are McGruff the Crime Dog and the San Benito County Sheriff's Department.

To Find Out More
• Super Hero Story Time
• Ernie Reyes' West Coast World Martial Arts   Web site   or   Facebook page
• Story Time Adventures with Julie Engelhardt   Facebook page  or   Web page 

Chocolate Tasting -- 11 AM to 3 PM

That's right. It's a free Chocolate Tasting at San Benito Bene, 615 B San Benito Street, in historical downtown Hollister.

C-h-o-c-o-l-a-t-e!  Dark chocolates, milk chocolates, chocolate caramel popcorn, chocolate olive oil, chocolate truffles, chocolate pecans, and more.  San Benito Bene will also be raffling a Chocolate Basket. Oooooh, yum.

To find out more, check out the San Benito Bene web site or its Facebook page.

Feb. 3 - 9, 2014: Free Admission to the Monterey Bay Aquarium

Yes! You read that correctly. From Monday, February 3, to Sunday, February 9, residents of San Benito County, as well as Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties, can get into the Monterey Bay Aquarium for free. All you need to show is a photo ID with your current address.

Why such a treat? Because this year is the Aquarium's 30th Anniversary and as part of its celebration it's having this free-admission week.  Whooo-hooo! Congratulations, Monterey Bay Aquarium! And, thank you very much!

Links to Check Out:
Monterey Bay Aquarium
"Visit Monterey Bay Aquarium Free" by Billy Weis, BenitoLink.com