Activities

Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families this weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, July 30

• The 2010 Sonoma County Fair has arrived at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, and runs through Sunday, August 8. The Sonoma County Fair hours are 11 am to 10 pm daily (gates close at 9 pm); the carnival area is open on Friday and Saturday until 11 pm. Admission is $9 for ages 13 and up, $3 for children 7–12, and free for children 6 and under and seniors 60+. Parking fees range from $6–$8, depending on the lot and its distance from the fairgrounds. or visit www.sonomacountyfair.com.
• All Aboard for a Day Out with Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2010, taking place July 30 and 31 and August 1, 6, 7, and 8. This popular family event takes place at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains. You can take a train ride, meet Sir Topham Hatt, and enjoy live music. Tickets to Day Out with Thomas are $18 each, and include all entertainment as well as a 25-minute train ride. Parking is an additional $8 per vehicle. Roaring Camp Railroads can be found in Felton on Graham Hill Road. Go to www.roaringcamp.com for directions, local lodging suggestions, and more information.
• Luau Night at the Marinwood Pool in San Rafael is on Friday from 6 pm-8 pm. Bounce House, DJ, Hula & Limbo! Bring the entire family and friends for a tropical getaway at Marinwood Pool! Hawaiian themed food available for purchase. Free admission for Pool Members and only $5 for Non-Members. For more info, go to their website.
• Enjoy Jazz & Blues by the Bay this Friday at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito from 6:30–8 pm. This Friday: Mari Mack & Livin' Like Kings. Sponsored by the Sausalito Sister City program. For more info, call (415) 289-4152 or go to their website
• Friday Nights on Main in Downtown Tiburon takes place from 6–9 pm. Bring the family and enjoy music, dancing, shopping and food. Bring a picnic or enjoy dining outdoors at your favorite local restaurant. Friday Nights on Main will run from June 5 through August 14. For more info, go to www.tiburonchamber.org or call (415) 435-5633.
• Tam Valley's Creekside Fridays presents Juke Joint, this Friday from 6:30–8 pm. Bring the family to this free event. Food available for purchase. At the Cabin at Tennessee Valley Road and Marin Avenue. For more info, go to their website.
• Film Night in the Park presents The Fantastic Mr. Fox on Friday evening at 8 pm at San Anselmo's Creek Park.  Popcorn, candy and sodas will be sold. Bring blankets, pillows, backrest and low chairs. Leave pets at home. Donations appreciated. For more info, call (415) 272-2756 or visit www.filmnight.org. Location: Creek Park, 400 block of Sir Francis Drake Blvd in San Anselmo.
• Marin Shakespeare Company presents the production of The Taming of the Shrew, Friday at 8 pm. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at Dominican University of California, San Rafael. More information and tickets: www.marinshakespeare.org.

Is your child a Thomas the Tank Engine fanatic? If so, here's your chance to experience all things Thomas & Friends and even take a ride on a train drawn by Thomas the Tank Engine at Day Out with Thomas: The Celebration Tour 2010, taking place July 30 and 31 and August 1, 6, 7, and 8, 2010. This popular family event takes place at Roaring Camp Railroads in Felton, located in the Santa Cruz Mountains.

You can take a train ride, meet Sir Topham Hatt, enjoy live music, create with Mega Bloks, enjoy storytelling, get a (temporary) Thomas & Friends tattoo, and even watch videos. There's something for everyone. Of course there are also plenty of ways available to separate you from your cash, with just about every conceivable Thomas & Friends product available for sale.

In case you missed or just didn't get enough of the Marin County Fair, you'll be happy to know that the 2010 Sonoma County Fair starts today, July 27 at the Sonoma County Fairgrounds in Santa Rosa, and runs through Sunday, August 8. It's worth checking out if you've never been: it's bigger and a lot different than Marin's smaller, more intimate fair, and has more of an agricultural focus, which is natural for a more rural county like Sonoma. The Sonoma County Fair also features the largest themed flower show in the country, which is usually pretty stunning.

Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families this weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, July 23

• Bring the family for a walk at Lake Lagunitas on Friday from 10 am-2 pm. Come and join the Marin Open Space ranger for a slow walk around the lake. There are dozens of great places to stop and see what kinds of creatures we can find. We’ll see who lives at the edge of the lake, in the creeks that flow into it, and in the forests and meadows around us. Meet at the Lagunitas parking area. Parking fee. For more info, call (415) 499-3647 or go to their website.
• Experience a Shipwrecked Sunset Evening at the Bay Area Discovery Museum in Sausalito this Friday from 5–8 pm. Listen to songs of piracy and mayhem by the Bloody Scupper Plunder Club, swap sea stories with Dread Pyrate Gregory and his scurvy crew, enjoy the museum's exhibitions, and dig into a BBQ dinner from Frank Klein and Chad Newton of San Francisco's Fish & Farm restaurant (and the soon-to-be operators of the Discovery Museum café). Come in costume, if you wish! Members $5, general $8; includes museum admission and performances. Dinner prices range from $5–$10; drinks and Rustic Bakery treats also available. More info: www.baykidsmuseum.org or (415) 339-3900.
• The Marinwood Community Center’s Music in the Park series features Loralee Christensen Trio Soul/R&B from 6–8 pm. Bring a blanket and enjoy the music. For the entire family. There will be beer & wine available for purchase. The Marinwood Community Center is located at 775 Miller Creek Road in San Rafael. For more info visit www.marinwood.org or www.loraleechristensen.com.
• Enjoy Jazz & Blues by the Bay this Friday at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito from 6:30–8 pm. This Friday: Swing Fever. Sponsored by the Sausalito Sister City program. For more info, call (415) 289-4152 or go to their website
• Friday Nights on Main in Downtown Tiburon takes place from 6–9 pm. Bring the family and enjoy music, dancing, shopping and food. Bring a picnic or enjoy dining outdoors at your favorite local restaurant. Friday Nights on Main will run from June 5 through August 14. For more info, go to www.tiburonchamber.org or call (415) 435-5633.
• Tam Valley's Creekside Fridays presents The Michael Argaon Band, this Friday from 6:30–8 pm. Bring the family to this free event. Food available for purchase. At the Cabin at Tennessee Valley Road and Marin Avenue. For more info, go to their website.
• Film Night in the Park presents Steve McQueen in The Blob (1958) on Friday evening at 8 pm at San Anselmo's Creek Park.  Suggested donation $6 for adults and $3 for children. For more info, call (415) 453-4333 or visit www.filmnight.org
• Marin Shakespeare Company presents Travesties, Friday at 8 pm. Tickets: adults $30; seniors $25 and youth $20. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at Dominican University of California, San Rafael. More information: www.marinshakespeare.org or (415) 499-4488.
• The San Rafael Young Performers Theatre presents the production, Fame the Musical on Friday at 7:30 pm. Enjoy the musical & dancing talents of over 60 young people. If registering on-line, please bring in your receipt to receive tickets at will-call on the day of the performance. Tickets are general admission - $15 in advance/$18 at the door. The production takes place at the San Rafael Community Center at 618 B Street in San Rafael. For more info, go to their website.

Saturday, July 24

• Join Call of the Sea for a Family Adventure Sail, 9:30 am–12:30 pm. Set sail on the 82’ schooner Seaward, operated by Call of the Sea, a non-profit that educates children and adults about sailing and maritime activities. Help the crew raise sails and steer the boat, or just sit back and enjoy the view! This is a great sail for families and will include optional learning stations in SF Bay Ecology and Seamanship. Adults $40, children (6–12) $25 and kids under 6 are free. The cruise leaves from the Bay Model Visitor's Center in Sausalito. Get more information, directions, and reservations at www.callofthesea.org, or call (415) 331-3214.
• Pacheco Plaza Saturday Morning Kids' Club featuring Tim Cain a sing-along concert for kids on Saturday from 10 am-11:30 am. Tim Cain provides an opportunity for children, as well as parents, to participate in a positive group experience with singing and movement. His warmth, good humor, and spontaneity make his shows engaging and accessible to all. Pacheco Plaza is located at 366 Ignacio Blvd., Novato. For more info, go to www.pachecoplaza.com.
• Marinwood's Summer Carnival is on Saturday from 11 am–2 pm. There will be a dunk tank, ponies, waterslide, slip & slide, bounce house, cotton candy, sno kones, food, live music and more! Purchase wristband in advance for $8 or pay $10 at the door. $2 sibling discount if purchased together at the same time. Don't forget your swim suit and towel! Fore more info, go to www.marinwood.org.
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Want to learn the top 5 actions you can take now to improve your family's financial future? Want to learn about family finances and have some fun, too? Come down to the free Family Finances Date Night hosted by financial expert and Marin Mommies contributor Katy Song and estate planning attorney Nadine Aarsheim. This wine-and-cheese event takes place Thursday, July 29, from 6:30–7:30 pm at the Integrated Design Studio at 219 Shoreline Highway in Mill Valley.

Afterward, make it a date night—everyone who attends will receive 10% off their meal at Frantoio restaurant for dinner following the discussion, so make your reservation and mention you're attenting Family Finances Date Night.

This event is free, but space is limited. To reserve your spot, visit www.newparentfinances.com/datenight or call (415) 409-6402.

The San Francisco Zoo is honoring and celebrating its zookeepers during the National Zookeeper Week from July 19-25. During this week, visitors will have the chance to meet the zookeepers in person, during special meet-and-greets at various exhibit locations throughout the zoo. Keepers will be on hand to answer questions and tell their favorite stories about the animals they care for each and every day.

The zoo is encouraging visitors to show their appreciation by bringing in a hand-made or purchased thank you card that will be placed on a giant display board at the zoo’s front entrance. A discount will be given to individuals who present a card (one per person) – $2 off adult admission and $1 off child admission. The zoo hours are 10 am–5 pm.The San Francisco Zoo is located at 1 Zoo Road in San Francisco. For more info, go to www.sfzoo.org.

Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families this weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, July 16

• Enjoy Jazz & Blues by the Bay this Friday at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito from 6:30–8 pm. This Friday, Bautista will be performing. For more info, call (415) 289-4152 or go to their website.
• Friday Nights on Main in Downtown Tiburon takes place from 6–9 pm. Bring the family and enjoy music, dancing, shopping and food. Bring a picnic or enjoy dining outdoors at your favorite local restaurant. Friday Nights on Main will run from June 4 through August 20. For more info, go to their website or call (415) 435-5633.
• Marin Shakespeare Company presents the opening of their production of The Taming of the Shrew, Friday at 8 pm. Celebrate the season opening with complimentary wine and festivities. This is a preview—"pay what you Will" performance. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at Dominican University of California, San Rafael. More information and tickets: www.marinshakespeare.org.
• Tam Valley's Creekside Fridays presents Void Where Prohibited, this Friday from 6:30–8 pm. Bring the family to this free event. Food available for purchase. At the Cabin at Tennessee Valley Road and Marin Avenue. Sponsored by Amy Glaser. For more info, go to their website.
• Visit the de Young Museum in San Francisco for free from 5–8:45 pm as part of the Target Arts & Wonder Weekend. Enjoy free general admission, performances, and art activities for the family. Target Arts & Wonder Weekend continues at other museums in the city on Saturday and Sunday. See our article for more information.

This weekend, Target (you know, that place where you buy diapers and bathroom cleaner and toys and the occasional dress or shirt) presents Arts & Wonder, a free family event with free general admission to six of San Francisco's leading museums and free art activities and performances.

This weekend-long marathon of free family fun kicks off Friday, July 16, 2010 from 5–8:45 pm at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park, where you can turn Target's canine mascot Bullseye into a work of Andy Warhol-inspired "Pup" art and watch a ballet performance celebrating the work of Impressionist painter Edgar Degas. General admission and activities and performances are free, but if you want to see the Birth of Impressionism exhibition (highly recommended!) you'll have to get a special timed ticket—$15 for adults, $10 for children 6–17, and free for kids 5 and under.