Events and Outings

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

Friday, September 3

• Sacramento's 11th Annual Gold Rush Days will take place over the Labor Day weekend on, Friday 9 am–4 pm, Saturday and Sunday from 11 am–7 pm. Gold Rush Days is a free, fun and exciting event for the whole family! Old Sacramento will "turn back the clock" and transform into a unique historic experience with costumed re-enactors, Wild West gun fights, musicians and much more of the Gold Rush era over the four-day event. For more info, go to www.sacramentogoldrushdays.com.
• The Pacheco Plaza's Summer Music Series presents The Dan Goldfus Project (jazz, latin and folk). Dine al fresco at the new Boca Pizzeria or Taki Japanese Restaurant. Performance starts at 6 pm. Pacheco Plaza is located off 101 on Ignacio Boulevard in Novato. More info: www.pachecoplaza.com.
• The 142 Throckmorton Theatre and Marin Youth Performers presents Into the Woods on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sun at 2pm. An ambivalent Cinderella, a blood-thirsty Little Red Riding hood, a Prince Charming with a roving eye, and a witch who raps are all among the cockeyed characters in James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's fractured fairy tale, Into the Woods. Cost: Adults $18; Students $14; Reserved seating $30. The 142 Throckmorton Avenue is in Mill Valley. For more info, call 415-383-9600 or go to www.142throckmortontheatre.org.
• Film Night in the Park presents 16 Candles on Saturday 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 The Taming of the Shrew, Friday at 8 pm. Adults $30, seniors $25, youth $20. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at Dominican University of California, San Rafael. More information and tickets: www.marinshakespeare.org.

Saturday, September 4

• The Sausalito Art Festival, the West Coast's ultimate art experience, returns this Labor Day weekend. Hours: Saturday and Sunday from 10 am–6 pm and  Monday from 10 am–5 pm. This years event will showcase more than 20,000 works of fine art, live music, food and drinks and many fun options for kids with live performances by Tim Cain on Saturday, Sunday and Monday at 2 pm. Some of the headlining bands include The Bangles, Pablo Cruise, Jefferson Starship, Mavis Staples and Sons of Champlin. Proceeds from the Festival support local arts and community non-profits. $20 general ages 13–61, $15 seniors 62+, $5 for children 6-12. For more info, go to www.sausalitoartfestival.org.
• The Curtain Theatre Company presents As You Like It on Satuday and Sunday at 2 pm. in Mill Valley's Old Mill Park. Free and family friendly! No reservations. For more info, go to www.curtaintheatre.org. Old Mill Park (behind the Mill Valley Library) is located at 350 Throckmorton Ave. in Mill Valley.
• Marin Shakespeare Company presents The Taming of the Shrew, Saturday at 8 pm. Adults $30, seniors $25, youth $20. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at Dominican University of California, San Rafael. More information and tickets: www.marinshakespeare.org.
• Film Night in the Park presents Pixar's Up on Saturday 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.

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, August 27

• Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents Eth-Noh-Tech on Friday at 11 am and 12:15 pm. Eth-Noh-Tec weaves music, dance, rhythmic dialogue, lively facial expressions and spoken word to inspire the imagination and to bring stories alive. This program takes place in Children’s Garden, at Howard and Fourth Streets near the historic Looff Carousel. Except where indicated, programs are approximately 30 minutes. This is a free event for ages 0–9. For more info, visit www.ybgf.org.
• Bring the family for Picnic on the Plaza—San Anselmo on Friday from 5–8 pm. There will be face painting for the kids and a farm stand. Bring a picnic or buy dinner out. Location: Town Hall in San Anselmo, 525 San Anselmo Avenue. Free. For more info, call (415) 454-2510 or www.sananselmochamber.org
• Enjoy Jazz by the Bay this Friday at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito from 6:30–8:30 pm. This Friday: Eugene Huggins, sponsored by the Golden Gate Tall Ships Society. For more info, call (415) 289-4152 or visit their website.
• Marin Shakespeare Company presents The Taming of the Shrew, Friday at 8 pm. Adults $30, seniors $25, youth $20. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at Dominican University of California, San Rafael. More information and tickets: www.marinshakespeare.org.
• Swing to the sounds of The Artifacts at Pacheco Plaza's Summer Music Series. Dine al fresco at the new Boca Pizzeria or Taki Japanese Restaurant. Performance starts at 6 pm. Pacheco Plaza is located off 101 on Ignacio Boulevard in Novato. More info: www.pachecoplaza.com.
• The 142 Throckmorton Theatre and Marin Youth Performers presents Into the Woods on Friday and Saturday at 7:30 pm and Sun at 2pm. An ambivalent Cinderella, a blood-thirsty Little Red Riding hood, a Prince Charming with a roving eye, and a witch who raps are all among the cockeyed characters in James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim's fractured fairy tale, Into the Woods. Cost: Adults $18; Students $14; Reserved seating $30. The 142 Throckmorton Avenue is in Mill Valley. For more info, call 415-383-9600 or go to www.142throckmortontheatre.org.

Saturday, August 28

• Celebrate the world of Italian children's literature at the third annual Festa del Libro at Book Passage in Corte Madera, Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am to 6 pm. Over 300 illustrated children's books from prominent Italian publishers will be on display. Story time, in Italian, is at 11 am and 4 pm. More information: www.marinitalians.orgDr. Seuss' most famous character comes to the California Academy of Sciences this Saturday for the Cat in the Hat's Spectacular Science Day, Saturday from 9:30 am to 5 pm. Experience a day of Seussian proportions as the Cat in the Hat and some very special guests enhance your science experience at the Academy! Meet the Cat himself, gather for storybook readings from celebrity guests, enjoy sneak previews of the new PBS Kids series The Cat in the Hat Knows a Lot About That!, explore the museum with a scavanger hunts, and more. Free with museum admission. More information at www.calacademy.org or www.kqed.org.
• The 16th annual Bodega Seafood, Art and Wine Festival takes place at Watts Ranch in Bodega on Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm  and Sunday from 10 am to 5 pm. Live music, dance floor, and a kids' entertainment and games, and rubber duck races. $12 adults, $10 seniors 60+, $8 ages 12–18, kids under 12 free. Tickets available at the gate. Food and drink not included in admission price. Free parking. More information: www.winecountryfestivals.com.
• The 4th annual Tiburon Art Festival takes place this weekend on historic Ark Row in downtown Tiburon. 64 juried artists, live music, family entertainment and activities, food, and more. 11 am to 6 pm Saturday and Sunday; $5 donation suggested for admission.
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Discover some of the finest Italian children's literature available at the third annual Festa del Libro, a children’s Italian book fair extravaganza that takes place Saturday and Sunday, August 29 and 30 at Book Passage in Corte Madera, and September 5 and 6 at Book Passage's second location in San Francisco's Ferry Building. Both events run from 10 am to 6 pm. Festa del Libro is also taking place this year in San Jose, during the Italian American Festa at Little Italy Kids School, noon to 6 pm, August 28 and 29. Story time, in Italian, takes place at the Corte Madera location at 11 am and 4 pm on both August 28 and 29.

Over 400 illustrated children’s books from distinguished publishers will be on hand direct from Italy. With vivid illustrations and trademark Italian creativity. the selection on hand is ideal for children 0–10 and beginning Italian language students of all ages. If your child or anyone else in your family is learning Italian or is interested in Italian culture this is an event not to be missed! This year's event features additional multimedia materials, as well as works from smaller specialty publishers that are difficult to find even in Italy.

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, August 20

• I Love Bugs Day at the Habitot Children’s Museum (ages 0-7) on Friday from 9:30 am-4:30 pm. Discover the wonderful world of bugs! A full day of activities devoted to those backyard wigglers, hoppers and. Build a cricket home in a terrarium with dirt, leaves and sticks in our Art Studio. Check out our worm box and learn how worms help plants grow. Hear real crickets chirp and see all different kinds of bugs including hissing cockroaches, mealworms and more. Storytelling about bugs from 11:00 am and 1:00 pm. Cost: adults $7; children $8; infants under 12 months are free. For more info, go to www.habitot.org.
• Yerba Buena Gardens Festival presents Pi Clowns on Friday at 11 am and 12:15 pm. Pi Clowns create comic theater using elements of mime technique, acrobatics, juggling, eccentric dance, live music and beat boxing, improvisation, and puppetry. This program takes place in Children’s Garden, at Howard and Fourth Streets near the historic Looff Carousel. Except where indicated, programs are approximately 30 minutes. This is a free event for ages 0–9. For more info, visit www.ybgf.org.
• End-of-Summer Party at the Amphitheater at the Mill Valley Library on Friday from 3:30 pm-5 pm. Celebrate the end of summer reading with your friends and library staff under the redwood trees. Enjoy entertainment (acclaimed singer/songwriter Elizabeth Mitchell with guest star Frances England), face painting, ice cream, and crafts. All ages welcome—no sign-up needed. The Mill Valley Library is at 375 Throckmorton Avenue in Mill Valley. For more info, go to their website.
• The Marinwood Community Center’s Music in the Park series features The '85s, an 80's Cover/Dance Band from 6–8 pm. Bring a blanket and enjoy the music. For the entire family. There will be beer & wine available for purchase. For more info, go to www.marinwood.org.
• Bring the family for Picnic on the Plaza—San Anselmo on Friday from 5–8 pm. There will be face painting for the kids and a farm stand. Bring a picnic or buy dinner out. Location: Town Hall in San Anselmo, 525 San Anselmo Avenue. Free. For more info, call (415) 454-2510 or www.sananselmochamber.org
• Enjoy Jazz & Blues by the Bay this Friday at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito from 6:30–8:00 pm. This Friday: Ruckatan, sponsored by the Sausalito Nursery School. For more info, call (415) 289-4152. For more info, go to their website.
• Film Night in the Park presents Alfred Hitchcock's Notorious 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 a preview of Antony and Cleopatra, Friday at 8 pm. Pay What You Will—donations of any amount accepted at the door. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at Dominican University of California, San Rafael. More information and tickets: www.marinshakespeare.org.

Saturday, August 21

• The Pacific Coast Air Museum presents the Wings Over Wine Country Air Show at Charles M. Schulz Sonoma County Airport in Santa Rosa on Saturday and Sunday from 9 am-4 pm. Experience fly-bys, US Navy and Air Force demonstration teams, aerobatics, plenty of WWII warbirds including P-40s and P-51s, a classic car show, a huge kids' world, and more. Tickets: $20 adults, $10 seniors 65+, $5 children 6–12, active duty military with ID and children under 6 free. 2200 Airport Boulevard, Santa Rosa. More information: www.wingsoverwinecountry.org or (707) 566-8380.
• The 20th annual Cotati Accordion Festival features two days of nonstop accordion music to benefit local youth groups, Saturday and Sunday from 9:30 am–8 pm. Highlights include dance parties in the polka tent, numerous accordion-related vendors, and the annual Lady of Spain-a ring. Various locations in Cotati. $17 at the gate, $15 advance, $25 both days, 15 and under free with paid adult. More information, go to www.cotatifest.com.
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Slide Ranch is a great place for family members of all ages. We tried out one of their toddler days last year and my kids had a great time petting the sheep and collecting eggs. They offer guided tours and lots of hands-on activities, including milking a goat, collecting eggs from chickens, planting seeds, sampling from their organic garden, learning to make crafts and food just like the early farmers, and exploring the nearby tide pools.

Slide Ranch is located off of Shoreline Highway at Muir Beach. Below is a list of their upcoming fall events. You can sign up online via their website. Their programs do fill-up quick, so you need to plan ahead if you are interested in participating.
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Get ready for back-to-school at any of Marin's Whole Foods Market locations. As part of Whole Foods' Project Healthy Lunch, you can stop by one of the stores and make a free healthy school lunch for your child.

Also check the Whole Foods Market website for some tasty-sounding and healthy back-to-school and kid-friendly recipes, like creamy cherry dip (pictured).

For more information on Project Healthy Lunch, contact each store directly: San Rafael (415) 451-6333, ; Mill Valley, (415) 381-3900; Novato, (415) 878-0455.

Here are the Project Healthy Lunch schedule and details:

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, August 13

• Family Film Fridays presents, "Madagascar I" at 10 am at the Lark Theater. Cost: $1-$5. The Lark Theater is located at 549 Magnolia Ave. in Larkspur. For more info, call (415) 924-5111 or go to www.larktheater.net.
• Chelle! & Friends perform at the Children's Garden at Yerba Buena Gardens on Friday from 11 am-11:30 am. Chelle! & Friends perform music from New Orleans. TJoin the party, move your feet, sing-along, and join a Mardi Gras parade to celebrate this great city. Yerba Buena Gardens Festival--Children's Garden at 760 Howard Street in San Francisco. For more info, go to www.ybgf.org.
• Bring the family to the Summer Sunset Series "Lost in Space" at the Bay Area Discovery Museum on Friday from 5 pm-8 pm. One last chance to see Living In Space before it blasts off! Celebrate space travel with a retro evening of fun featuring 60’s grooves from DJ Mancub from 6:30 pm - 7:30 p.m. The Short Attention Span Circus will delight with comedic juggling, magic, contortions and more from 5:30 pm - 6:30 pm. All ages. For more info, go to www.badm.org.
• Bring the family for Picnic on the Plaza--San Anselmo on Friday from 5 pm-8 pm. There will be Western swing by Lone Star Retrobates, face painting for the kids and a farm stand. Bring a picnic or buy dinner out. Location: Town Hall in San Anselmo, 525 San Anselmo Avenue. Free. For more info, call (415) 454-2510 or www.sananselmochamber.org
• Enjoy Jazz & Blues by the Bay this Friday at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito from 6:30–8:00 pm. This Friday: Larry Van Trio. For more info, call (415) 289-4152. For more info, go to their website.
• Pacheco Plaza Fridays—Cole Tate and The Taters featuring Tim Cain on sax on Friday from 6:30 pm-9 pm. Rock music for the entire family. Pacheco Plaza is located at 366 Ignacio Blvd., Novato. For more info, go to www.pachecoplaza.com.
• Tam Valley's Creekside Fridays (final show) presents JeConte, 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 Worlds Fastest Indian on Saturday 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 The Taming of the Shrew, Friday  at 8 pm. Order tickets in advance: adults $30, seniors $25, youth $20. Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at Dominican University of California, San Rafael. More information and tickets: www.marinshakespeare.org.

Saturday, August 14

• The Gravenstein Apple Fair in Sebastopol celebrates a time when neighbors gathered to share home baked food, listen to some of the locals sing a tune, and learn a few farming skills. Brimming with tradition, this country fair showcases the Gravenstein Apple and the experience of an old time country get together. Enjoy farming displays, a children's corner with crafts, music, and a magician, and more. Saturday, 10 am –6 pm and Sunday 10 am–5 pm. Admission $13 general, $10 seniors, $5 children 6–12, free for children under 6. The Gravenstein Apple Fair takes place at Ragle Ranch Park in Sebastopol, at 500 Ragle Road. More information: www.gravensteinapplefair.com.
• Wings Over Marin: 50th Anniversary of Gnoss Field Airport in Novato on Saturday from 10:00 am to 4:00pm. Join the County of Marin and the Gnoss Field Community Association for Gnoss Field Airport's 'Wings Over Marin' Open House Event, honoring the 50th anniversary of Gnoss Field, founded in 1960.Activities include aircraft displays, fly bys, guest speakers including Astronaut Millie Hughes Fulford and food and fun for the entire family. Cost: $5, children 12 and under are free. Gnoss Field is at the Marin County Ariport in Novato. For more info, go to their website.
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Guest writer Holly White-Wolf tells us all about this weekend's Gravenstein Apple Fair, a century-old tradition in the Sonoma County town of Sebastopol, about 40 minutes north of Marin. Holly shares the "art of mothering" with readers in Sonoma County and beyond on her blog and community website sono-ma.com.

Last year I discovered Sonoma County’s best fair—the small, old-fashioned, family-focused, Gravenstein Apple Fair.  Imagine spending a day walking across meadows under ancient oaks following your nose to food booths featuring frying apple fritters or slices of 4 inch high apple pie.  Picture sitting on rustic benches (hefty planks resting on hay bales) while taking in terrific, acoustic music. Then, conjure up the noise of a turn of the century barnyard – complete with the bray of horses and the clanking of old-time harvesting machines -  and you’ll get a sense of the many agricultural attractions abounding at this event. Yes sir, Sonoma County’s summertime vintage jewel is the annual Apple Fair at Ragle Ranch Park.