SPECIAL EVENTS
Santa Cruz County Fair (Sept. 14-15)
Santa Cruz County Fair celebrates the rich agricultural history of the community and people, and invests heavily in bringing this heritage to young people. Runs at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. For more info: santacruzcountyfair.com.
Capitola Art & Wine Festival (Sept. 14-15)
The 37th annual Capitola Art & Wine Festival returns this weekend. Sip exceptional wines from 22 Santa Cruz Mountain wineries, while admiring the artistic talents of more than 160 fine artists. Two full days of art, wine, music and gourmet cuisine in the enchanting beachside setting of Capitola Village. Free event. Hours: Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free parking and shuttle at Capitola Mall near Bank of America. For details visit capitolaartandwine.com.
Mexican Independence Day in Watsonville (Sept. 15)
The event celebrating Mexican Independence Day put on by Fiesta Patrias from 11:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. will bring music, food, arts and crafts and information tables to Watsonville’s City Plaza and surrounding streets. Free live entertainment will include performances by local mariachi, ballet Folklorico, Willy Martin y Su Banda S7 and Group Los Culpables.
Castro Adobe Open House (Sept. 15)
Celebrate Mexican Independence Day at the Castro Adobe, 184 Old Adobe Rd, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Castro Adobe is the first non-beach State Historic Park in the Pajaro Valley. The two-story Rancho San Andrés Castro Adobe, built between 1848-49, is one of the finest examples of a rancho hacienda in the Monterey Bay. The open house event is free to attend; donations greatly appreciated. Leashed dogs are allowed in the parking area only. More information: thatsmypark.org.
Peace Corps Application Drive (Sept. 17)
Peace Corps recruiters will hold an application workshop at the Santa Cruz County Library, 695 Soquel Drive in Aptos, from 6-7 p.m. Community members interested in applying to serve will have an opportunity to ask questions about service, learn which programs best match their skills and gain valuable tips to guide them through the application process. Register for the event on the Peace Corps Website.
Watsonville Music In the Plaza (Sept. 19)
Bring your blankets, chairs and a picnic, and join us in the Watsonville City Plaza for a free evening of music. The first half of the program will feature students from the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, while the second half will feature six-string musicians from the Santa Cruz Symphony (including concertmaster Nigel Armstrong on violin and Daniel Stewart on viola), who will be joined by dancers from Esperanza Del Valle for Moncoya’s Huapango. Music starts at 6 p.m.
Tatanka’s Global Artists Celebration (Sept. 20)
Tatanka’s Living Room invites you to a Global Artists Celebration and Concert featuring Carmen Mama Crow, Christina Musumeci and John David at 7 p.m. at the Resource Center for Non-Violence, 612 Ocean Ave., Santa Cruz. The event benefits the Romero Institute and Quaker Friends on Legislation for Childhood Poverty and Mass Incarceration. Free and suggested donations of $15 on up.
Monterey Bay Birding Festival (Sept. 20-22)
From soaring golden eagles, the effortless glide of California condors, cheeky bushtits, gorgeous Townsend’s warblers, scampering snowy plovers, to thousands of sooty shearwaters streaming along the ocean’s surface, few places can match the diversity of species of the Monterey Bay region during the Monterey Bay Birding Festival, a three-day event based in Watsonville. For information: Montereybaybirding.org.
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RECURRING EVENTS
Saturday, Sept. 14
Aptos Farmer’s Market
Open rain or shine, the Aptos Farmer’s Market at Cabrillo College runs every Saturday from 8 a.m.
to noon.
Second Saturday on the Farm
The free event will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave.
Second weekends at the Airport
Admission is free and everyone is welcome to show and admire these historical aircraft on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The pilots displaying their aircraft can enjoy special offers from Ella’s At The Airport and top off at our self-service island at the lowest fuel prices from 9 a.m. Saturday until 9 a.m. Sunday.
Mayor’s Bike Ride For Health
Join Watsonville Mayor Francisco Estrada for a short, family-friendly bike ride on the second Saturday of each month that follows the Pajaro River levee, starting at the parking lot across from Watsonville Buddhist Temple at 423 Bridge St. This easy, level ride is perfect for kids and beginners. Warm up stretches led by Watsonville Yoga. Ride starts at 10 a.m. Helmets are required for this ride. Some will be provided if needed.
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Sunday, Sept. 15
Farm and garden market
The Corralitos Farm and Garden Market offers locally grown fruits and vegetables and homemade baked goods prepared with organic and locally grown ingredients. The market runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 127 Hames Road in Corralitos.
Wetlands Nature Center
Discover the wildlands on free exploration walks at 1:30 p.m. at the Wetlands Nature Center, 30 Harkins Slough Road, Watsonville, behind Ramsay Park. Binoculars provided. Rain cancels. Information: 768-1622 or wetlandsofwatsonville.org.
El Mercado Certified Farmer’s Market
This year-round Certified Farmer’s Market is held at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
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Monday, Sept. 16
Hamburger Night
The American Legion Post 121 invites all to its Hamburger Night from 5:30-7 p.m. at 214 Center St., Watsonville. Cost: $6. Proceeds benefit veterans and the post’s community activities.
Aikido
The Ten Chi Kai Aikido Dojo trains on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings from 7:15-8:45 p.m. at the Watsonville Police Activities League, 130 Rodriguez St., Watsonville. Details: Coresta Angelo at 763-4146.
PV Democratic Club
The Pajaro Valley Cesar Chavez Democratic Club meets the third Monday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Service Employees International Union office, 10 Alexander St., Watsonville. Information: 707-7265.
Tuesday, Sept. 17
Bingo at Senior Center
The Watsonville Senior Center, 114 E. Fifth St., hosts bingo from 1-4 p.m. All proceeds benefit the center and its programs. Free coffee. Open to anyone 18 or older. In addition, the Senior Center holds a flea market starting at 9:30 a.m. Details: 722-1333.
Valley Heights
Free social hour every Tuesday and Friday from 3:30-4:30 p.m. is open to the public at 925 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville.
Legal assistance
California Rural Legal Assistance offers free legal services to low-income people. New clients on a first-come, first-served basis on Tuesdays between the hours of 9:30-11:30 am and 1:3-4:00 p.m. at 21 Carr St. in Watsonville. We also have satellite offices in Hollister and Santa Cruz, call for intake hours at 724-2253.
Bay Village Homeowners Association
Bay Village Homeowners Association meets the third Tuesday of each month at the YWCA, 340 East Beach St. in Watsonville, at 3 p.m. Homeowners are welcome.
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Wednesday, Sept. 18
Lions Bingo
Join the Watsonville Associated Lions Club Bingo and support a nonprofit that gives back to the Pajaro Valley. Meets Wednesdays at 6 p.m. at the Kennedy Center, 2401 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville.
Bilingual toddler time and lap time
Freedom Branch Library, 2021 Freedom Blvd., offers child socialization and early literacy skills for children ages 0-24 months at 10:30 a.m., and for ages 2-4 at 11:30 a.m. Details: 768-3420.
Watsonville Band
The Watsonville Community Band wants new members who can read music and competently play an instrument. Rehearsals at 7:30 p.m. in the Watsonville High School band room on Marchant Street. Information: band manager Bill Nestler at 768-8692 or watsonville-band.org.
Elks Lodge dinner
The Watsonville Elks Lodge, 121 Martinelli St., hosts dinners for members and guests. Lodge opens 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served 6:30 p.m. A full course dinner is included for $10 per person (special events may be higher). Contact the lodge for reservations at 724-2493. Reservations are a must.
Migrant assistance
The Community Information Center for Migrant Assistance/Centro Communitario de Información Migratoria at Trinity Lutheran Church, 175 Lawrence Ave., Watsonville offers immigration information and assistance from 6-8 p.m. Free. Information: 724-3461.
Supervisor office hours
Santa Cruz County Second District Supervisor Zach Friend holds office hours on the third Wednesday of the month from 9-10 a.m. at the Corralitos Fire/Cal Fire Station on Eureka Canyon Road.
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Thursday, Sept. 19
Bilingual toddler time
Bilingual Toddler Time is a free bilingual (English/Spanish) 30 minute program including stories, activities and music for toddlers and preschoolers. Starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Watsonville Library.
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Friday, Sept. 20
Farmer’s market
The Watsonville Certified Farmer’s Market takes place every Friday from 3-7 p.m. on Peck Street in the downtown Plaza. Offers organic and ethnic produce, flowers, live music and plenty of goodies to eat.
St. Francis bingo
Bingo meets every Friday evening at the Kennedy Center, 2401 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. Doors open at 5 p.m. Proceeds go to scholarships at St. Francis Central Coast Catholic High School. Information: 722-2665 or 722-3274.
Senior dance
The Watsonville Senior Center hosts a free dance at 10:30 a.m. at 114 E. Fifth St.
STEAM in Watsonville Library
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) meets in the library from 3-4 p.m. For ages 8-12, the ongoing program allows participants to learn about and make electronic creations from Little Bits kits.
Bilingual baby lap time
A free bilingual (English/Spanish) 30-minute program including stories, activities and music for babies age 0-24 months. Starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Watsonville Library.
VFW dinner
The Veterans of Foreign Wars holds a social dinner on the first and third Friday of the month at 5 p.m. at the VFW Hall, 1960 Freedom Blvd., Watsonville. Open to the public. $7 per meal; takeout is available. Information: 722-5228.
Iris Society
The Monterey Bay Iris Society meets the third Friday of each month at 7:30 p.m. at the Native Sons Hall, 239 High St., Santa Cruz.
