Cheap and Free Things to Do in the Yuba-Sutter, California Area

Ahh, but is this true? The Yuba-Sutter area is full of fun, free and cheap events to attend to fill your bored days. Come to any of these events and get to know your neighbors, even try some local agrarian fare. Bring the family in a show of support for the great, diverse community we live in. Here is a list of annual events which occur in our area by month. What you find here may surprise you.

January

Bridal Splendor. Coolidge Public Relations presents the largest bridal event in the tri-county area, taking place at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds on the last Sunday of the month. Admission for the event is $5, free for kids 12 and under. Contact Andrew Coolidge at 671-9600 or visit the website at http://www.ysbridalshow.com

March

Bok Kai Festival. The Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce describes this event hosted by the Bok Kai Festival Committee as"the longest-running parade in California." Boasting a 150-foot Chinese Dragon and more than 20,000 visitors from around the world, join in the celebration of the beginning of spring and the Chinese New Year. The event takes place usually on the first weekend of the month on D Street in Marysville. Be sure to check the website for specifics or the contact page for any questions you may have.

US Gun Trader Show. Come to the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds on the second weekend in March to check out the latest in firearm machinery. Admission is $5. Contact Larry Urruita at 530-438-2913 for any questions.

Spring Home Garden and Recreation Show. Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds is the place to be for the touted "largest home and garden show north of Sacramento" during the last weekend in March (though it may overflow into April some years). Adults and seniors are welcome for a $5 fee and children under 12 are free. For any questions, contact Andrew Coolidge at 671-9600 or visit the event's website at http://www.ychomeshow.com.

April

Run Drugs Out of Town 5k Walk/Run. Come to the River Valley High School football stadium to take part of the Substance Abuse Steering Committee's wonderful event to increase awareness of alcohol and substance abuse in the area. Registration is required. Call Dulia Aguilar at 674-1885 or email at daguilar@co.sutter.ca.us. Check out their website at http://rundrugsoutoftownrun.org

Hawk Flight and Earth Day Celebration. Come to this fundraising event for the benefit of Shady Creek Outdoor School held at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds. Admission is more than friendly to your wallet at $2 for adults and $1 for children. Contact Rikki Shaffer at 822-2416 or email her at rikkis@sutter.k12.ca.us. Their website is available at http://www.shadycreekoef.org.

Wheatland/Beale Community Fair. Come to the Bear River Middle School in Wheatland on the third or fourth Sunday to enjoy a day sponsored by the Family Resource Center. Activities include a bounce house, rock wall, laser tag, Kuk Sool Won and demonstrations by the Beale 9th Security Forces working dogs. This free event is usually held on the 3^rd or 4^th Sunday in April. Contact Jodie Almond (530) 633-4061 or email at
jalmond@wheatland.k12.ca.us or visit their website for more information.

May

Farmers Market. Running from May to October, the annual farmer's market runs every Saturday from 8 am to noon in the Plumas Street/Town Center at the water fountain in Yuba City. Come taste of your local agrarian fare and get to know your farmers and your neighbors as well. Contact Contact Dan or Candy Silva at 674-0252 for details.

Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox. It's baseball season! Starting May 28 in the 2009 season is our very own Gold Sox! General admission tickets are $5. Games run Thursday through Sunday evening at 7:00pm from May 28 through August 9, 2009. Come to the All Seasons RV Stadium at the corner of 14th and B Streets just north of Ellis Lake in Marysville, California. Questions? Contact the team at 741-3600 or visit the website at http://www.goldsox.com/

June

Antique Street Fair. The Yuba Oaks Academy invites you to Downtown Marysville the first Sunday in June for their annual Antique Street Fair. Admission is free. Any questions should be directed to Adrian White at 741-6169 or visit the event's website at http://www.visitmarysville.com/antiquestreetfair.html

Relay for Life. It is said cancer affects everyone. Be a part of the fight against this horrific disease on or around the second weekend in June at Geweke Field behind Gray Avenue School. The American Cancer Society will use the proceeds to help aid patients and research. Contact the staff at 741-1366, ext 3. Admission is free, but this is a fundraiser, so please be ready and willing to donate. Their website is at http://www.cancer.org.

Juneteenth Celebration. Come celebrate the Emancipation Proclamation with Black Yuba-Sutter in June at Yuba Park in Marysville. Admission is free and there is a lot to do. Please contact Cleo Anderson at 844-6305 with any questions or email her at blackyubasutter@comcast.net or visit http://www.blackyubasutter.com.

Family Fun Night: Movie and Games in the Park. Come to the first of two free movie and games events held by the Shady Creek Outdoor Recreation Foundation at Feather River Academy (1895 Lassen Blvd). The 2009 event takes place Friday June 19 from 7:30 to 10:30. Admission is free. Please contact Rikki Shaffer at 822-2416 or at rikki@shadycreekoef.org or visit their website http://www.shadycreekoef.org/id61.html

Summer Stroll. The Downtown Business Association invites you to Plumas Street in downtown Yuba City for a summer stroll. The 2009 event takes place on Friday, June 26^th where you can visit any of the 90 merchants lining the street, get to know your neighbors, and enjoy a summer evening in town. Admission is free, and please direct an questions to 755-1620 or the website at http://www.summerstroll.com.

Hot Rod Jamboree. The Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce describes this event as including "Everything from show cars, to Drags, Projects to beaters, anything pre-1973. Trophies, cash prizes, games, vendors and a small swap meet." The 2009 event has already taken place, but check again next year for the 10th annual event. Call 742-2202 for details.

July

Star Spangled Celebration. The Downtown Business Association invites you to Plumas Street in downtown Yuba City in your best red, white, and blue. The 2009 event takes place on Tuesday, July 7 to celebrate our nation's birthday. Admission is free. Questions should be directed to 755-1620, email jsanchez@yubacitydowntown.com or the website at http://www.yubacitydowntown.com.

Family Fun Night: Movie and Games in the Park. Hosted by the Shady Creek Outdoor Recreation Foundation, the second of two of these events occurs on Thursday, July 16, 2009 from 7:30 to 10:30 at 1895 Lassen Blvd. Admission is free and you can contact Rikki Shaffer at rikki@shadycreekoef.org or call at 822-2416. Their website is also available at http://www.shadycreekoef.org/id61.html

California Peach Festival. A 5k run/walk, peaches and pancake breakfast, and much more awaits you in Historic Downtown Marysville at the locally famed peach festival. Hosted by the Marysville Police Department, this free event generally takes place around the 3^rd weekend in July. Contact Shannon Jacobsen 749-3954 or email at sjacobsen@marysvillepd.org. The event's website can be found at http://www.marysvillepeachfest.com

August

Yuba-Sutter Gold Sox. Don't forget-the end of baseball season looms this month. General admission tickets are $5. Games run Thursday through Sunday evening at 7:00pm through August 9, 2009. Come to the All Seasons RV Stadium at the corner of 14th and B Streets just north of Ellis Lake in Marysville, California. Questions? Contact the team at 741-3600 or visit the website at http://www.goldsox.com/

Yuba-Sutter Fair. Come to the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds for the yearly event awaited by everyone, put on by the 13^th District Agricultural Association. There's something at the fair for everyone. The 2009 event takes place from July 29 through August 2. Admission starts at $7 for adults and $5 for children. Season passes are available. For special event pricing and other admission information, visit the admissions page of their website at http://www.yubasutterfair.com

September

Cultural Celebration. YubaCity.net describes this event as "a celebration of ethnic traditions and diversity through food, arts and music. It offers a broad variety of tantalizing, ethnic foods, vendors displaying unique arts, crafts and clothing from around the world, and the best music, dance and entertainment you'll find anywhere in the North Valley." A wine area will also be available from 2-9 p.m. This free event takes place at Gauche Aquatic Park; the 2009 date is set for September 12, 2009. For any questions, please visit their website at http://www.yubacity.net/culturalcelebration/ or contact the park at 822-4710 or 822-4655 or email at acesena@yubacity.net

Live Oak Festival. Come celebrate the role the agricultural industry plays in the Live Oak community including a parade, fireworks, car show and a rib cookoff. This free event generally occurs on or around the third Saturday in September and is put on by the Live Oak District Chamber of Commerce. Any questions can be directed to liveoakchamber@syix.com or phoned in at 695-1519. The website is at http://www.liveoakchamber.org.

Youth Fishing Derby. Hosted to "inspire the children of this community with an alternative choice to drugs...to provide a safe and fun venue for a family outing" Complimentary pancake awaits derby participants at Ellis Lake in Marysville on or around the second Saturday of the month. The Marysville Kiwanis Club hosts the free event (but registration is required). Questions can be directed to Cynthia Roderick at 743-6435 and you can visit the Kiwanis' website at http://oroville.net/div14/marysville/

Fall Home and Garden Show. The Spring Show's counterpart, the Fall Home and Garden Show also takes place at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds on September 19-20, 2009. Admission is $5 for adults and $4 for seniors with children under 12 free with a paying adult. Contact Coolidge Public Relations at 671-9600 or email at coolidgepr@aol.com or visit the website at http://www.totalhomeshow.com/New_Fall_Home_and_Design_Show.htm

Bishops Pumpkin Farm Season. Come to the area's most lauded pumpkin farm to ride in a wagon train, visit a bakery, pick a pumpkin, pet some farm animals-there's so much to do here in Wheatland. The farm opens the third weekend in September and runs through Halloween day. Admission is free, but the rides and food are not. Parking is free on the weekdays but $10/car on the weekends. Please contact the farm at 633-2568 or visit their website at http://www.bishopspumpkinfarm.com/

October

Harvest Festival. Awaiting you in downtown Yuba City are 75 craft and food vendors. Hosted by the Yuba City Downtown Business Association, this free event is open to the public. Questions? Contact the Association at 749-4772, email at adagency@syix.com or visit the website at http://www.yubacityfestival.com

National Make a Difference Day. Come celebrate the day at the Appeal-Democrat on the fourth Saturday to help make a difference. Questions? Call Debbie Bagget (530) 749-4784 or (800) 831-2345, email at adclass@appealdemocrat.com or visit the event's website at http://www.usaweekend.com/diffday/

November

Christmas in November. In conjunction with the Sutter Buttes Gem and Mineral Show, the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds is host to this annual event that takes place around the 2^nd weekend in November. For any questions, please contact fairgrounds staff at 674-1280 or visit the website at http://www.yubasutterfair.com

Sutter Buttes Gem and Mineral Show runs alongside Christmas in November at the Yuba-Sutter Fairgrounds during the second week of the month. Admission is free. Please contact chairman Bruce Roberts at 675-2864 for any questions.

Annual Sikh Festival and Parade. Yuba City is host to one of the largest Sikh populations outside India. Come get a taste of their culture at the annual Sikh Parade at 2468 Tierra Buena Rd and surrounding neighborhoods. This completely free three day event, hosted by Sikh Temple Gudwara, happens the first weekend of every November. For any questions, please contact the Sikh Temple office at 673-9918 or visit their website at http://www.sikhparade.com

Yuba-Sutter Veteran's Day Parade. On D Street in Marysville, the annual Veteran's Day Parade begins at 11 a.m. every Veteran's Day. Please contact Chuck at 743-7554 or Cynthia at 743-2390 for any questions you may have.

Creche Exhibit. The Yuba City Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints holds its annual event in its Stake Center along Butte House Road. Taking place from Thursday through Sunday around the end of every November, come see various nativity scenes from around the world, enjoy some music, and feel the spirit of Christmas.

December

Marysville Christmas Parade. The Marysville Police Department Volunteers invite you to D Street in downtown Marysville for this free event on or around the first Saturday in December. Contact Shannon Jacobsen at 749-3953 if you have any questions.

Christmas Stroll. With "More than 75 craft and food vendors, a free concert, cookie baking contest, carriage rides and pictures with Santa" why wouldn't you come to downtown Yuba City to take part in this annual event hosted by the Downtown Yuba City Business Association? Come by around the first Friday in December. For details, call Judy Sanchez at 755-1620 or visit the event's website at http://www.christmasstroll.net