Thursday, May 25, 2017 / by Thomas March
10 Best Things To Do This Memorial Day Weekend
Memorial day is observed to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military, we remember their bravery and sacrifices made for the red, white & blue. Many of us commemorate this day by visiting cemeteries, memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades and other memorial day events. Unofficially, this day also marks the beginning of the summer season.
Get the most out of Memorial Day weekend in Sacramento! Mark your calendars for these Fun, Festive Events!
Sacramento Music Festival
May 26-27, within the streets of Old Sacramento
Old Sacramento’s streets will come alive with the eclectic sounds of many musical genres—from New Orleans jazz to bluegrass—for an event that has taken place every Memorial Day weekend since 1974. Over four days, music fans can catch 100 performances from the likes of jazz outfits The Crescent Katz, Cornet Chop Suey and Cell Block 7, as well as SuperHuey (a Huey Lewis tribute group) and Cajun band Tom Rigney and Flambeau. On Saturday at 10 a.m., watch a parade through the historic district and meander through a show of classic hot rods. If your stomach is rumbling after dancing in the streets, look out for food trucks like Jimboy’s Tacos and Cecil’s Taste. $110 for
Sacramento County Fair
May 25-29 Cal Expo - 1600 Exposition Blvd.
Cal Expo will host five days of festive fun over Memorial Day weekend. Ring in the summer season and celebrate the California heartland with agricultural displays, a corn-dog-eating contest, and of course, plenty of indulgent fair fare, like
Elk Grove BrewFest
May 26, 6-10 p.m. Old Town Plaza. Elk Grove Blvd. and Railroad St. Elk Grove.
Say “cheers” at this second annual festival that will fill Elk Grove’s Old Town Plaza for a Friday evening of suds and sustenance. Join other beer enthusiasts as you sip samples from local favorites like Rubicon, Knee Deep, Big Sexy and Bike Dog brewing companies, as well as regional contenders like Lagunitas and Sierra Nevada. If you’re more of a wino than a beer drinker, don’t miss pours from area wineries like The Dancing Fox and Pondl. Food trucks including Bella Familia Wood Fired Pizza, Fuzion Eatz, Tailgater 44 and Che Buono will be on hand to serve up festival fare that pairs perfectly with a pint. $40. elkgrovebrewfest.com
Off The Grid
The Barn: Sat. 5-10 p.m. 985 Riverfront St. West Sacramento. Folsom: Sat. & Sun. 12-4 p.m. Folsom Premium Outlets. 13000 Folsom Blvd. Folsom
This regional food truck series will host two events over Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday night, the Barn in West Sacramento will be aglow with twinkling lights and surrounded by food trucks like Sophia’s Mini Kitchen, Rudy’s on the Roll and The Sweet Spot. Settle in under the swooping wooden canopy and sip craft cocktails from the bar while you sway to the sounds of San Francisco-based band Korynn O'Connell & The Knockouts. On Saturday and Sunday afternoon, Off the Grid will offer more chances to fulfill your foodie cravings—from mulitas to Dole whips—as the food truck fête hits Folsom Premium Outlets with purveyors like Chando’s Tacos, OMG Yogurt and Cousins Maine Lobster. offthegrid.com/sacramento
Off The Grid
The Barn: Sat. 5-10 p.m. 985 Riverfront St. West Sacramento. Folsom: Sat. & Sun. 12-4 p.m. Folsom Premium Outlets. 13000 Folsom Blvd. Folsom
This regional food truck series will host two events over Memorial Day weekend. On Saturday night, the Barn in West Sacramento will be aglow with twinkling lights and surrounded by food trucks like Sophia’s Mini Kitchen, Rudy’s on the Roll and The Sweet Spot. Settle in under the swooping wooden canopy and sip craft cocktails from the bar while you sway to the sounds of San Francisco-based band Korynn O'Connell & The Knockouts. On Saturday and Sunday afternoon, Off the Grid will offer more chances to fulfill your foodie cravings—from mulitas to Dole whips—as the food truck fête hits Folsom Premium Outlets with purveyors like Chando’s Tacos, OMG Yogurt and Cousins Maine Lobster. offthegrid.com/sacramento
Sacramento Colonial Fest III
May
Now in it’s third year, this high-energy music festival will get Tahoe Park’s Colonial Theatre and its neighboring venues rockin’ and rollin’ with more than 25 regional acts over two days, like heavy alternative group Lightupsuperheroes, punk rock trio Three Second Rule and Kryptic Memories, a hard rock metal band from Fairfield. This year’s event will also feature gaming tournaments and a chance to play friendly bouts of Street Fighter II, Smash Bros. Tournament and Rock Band on retro home consoles like Atari, Dreamcast and Nintendo 64. $20 day pass; $35 weekend pass. saccolonialfest.squarespace.com
Spring Strawberry Music Festival
May 25-29, Nevada County Fairgrounds. 11228 McCourtney Rd. Grass Valley.
29 Dozens of acts will play that funky music at this 65th iteration of the beloved festival, which features a lineup spanning blues, funk, folk, rock and alt-country, including Grammy-winning singer-songwriter Lucinda Williams, famed English guitarist Richard Thompson, rising Texas folk star Sarah Jarosz, and Northern California band The Steep Ravine. The music festival, set inside the Nevada County Fairgrounds—considered the state’s most beautiful—will offer overnight camping, yoga, dance and art workshops, and a kids parade. Prices and times vary. strawberrymusic.com
BEER TRAIN
May 27, Saturday. SacramentoRivertrain
The Sacramento Beer Train is a popular event on the local craft beer scene. Hop on board the Sacramento RiverTrain’s Memorial Day ride on Saturday, May 27. Each trip features a live band and two beer selections from four Northern California breweries, including Mraz Brewing Company, Hoppy Brewing Company, and two more mystery breweries. Mingle with local brewers at each tasting station and wander amongst three open-air cars along the 2.5-hour train ride while you listen to live music from The Straight Shooter Band. https://www.sacramentorivertrain.com/experiences/beer-train/
May 27, Saturday. Sacramento
The Sacramento Beer Train is a popular event on the local craft beer scene. Hop on board the Sacramento RiverTrain’s Memorial Day ride on Saturday, May 27. Each trip features a live band and two beer selections from four Northern California breweries, including Mraz Brewing Company, Hoppy Brewing Company, and two more mystery breweries. Mingle with local brewers at each tasting station and wander amongst three open-air cars along the 2.5-hour train ride while you listen to live music from The Straight Shooter Band. https://www.sacramentorivertrain.com/experiences/beer-train/
INTERNATIONAL KIDS FESTIVAL
MAY 27, Saturday. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.WILLIAM LAND PARK
Take the entire family to the International Kids Festival, presented by Russian American Media. Kids can enjoy pony rides, jumbo inflatables, a rock climbing wall, miniature train rides, trampolines, face painting and more — all for free! Sample exotic foods from around the world and admire spectacular stage entertainment by professional dancers, gymnasts and athletes. Don’t miss out on this festive day of fun at William Land Park Amphitheatre by the Zoo and Fairytale Town. http://www.russianamericanmedia.com/our-events/international-kids-festival
TRAILS IN MOTION FILM FESTIVAL
May 28. Sunday. Doors open at 5:15 and the film begins at 6 p.m. Auburn Placer Performing Arts Center
For a change in pace from your typical Memorial Day activities, get inspired by the Ledlenser Trails in Motion Film Festival at the Auburn Placer Performing Arts Center in Auburn. This annual international film tour brings a collection of the finest trail and ultra-running films to passionate audiences around the world. Get your tickets in advance for a night you’ll never forget! https://www.trailsinmotion.com
Memorial Day Weekend River Cruises
MAY 26-29.
Experience the Sacramento River like never before. Grab the whole family and join us for this hour-long narrated river cruise. While on board you’ll learn fun facts about the Sacramento water-ways and take in the city’s scenic nature sights. https://sac+memorial-day-river-cruise
· One-Hour Yacht Tour along the Sacramento River
· Live Narration by the Captain including Sacramento River Facts and History
· Scenic Sacramento Views
· Limited Concessions Available on Board to Purchase
· Limited, Non-Guaranteed Seating on Board. First Come, First Serve.
