Special events
Elkhorn Slough Reserve Open House & Native Plant Fair (Sept. 28)
Celebrate the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve — and National Estuaries Week — at the Elkhorn Slough Reserve Open House & Native Plant Fair from 9 a.m to 4 p.m. Enjoy walks and talks with land stewards and researchers, get creative with arts and crafts, see what’s new at our award-winning Visitor Center, view slough life under the microscope at our learning lab, and browse the Native Plant Fair for gardening ideas.
Burrito Bash (Sept. 28)
A day of live music, a car show, food, activities, brew and burritos all at the Santa Cruz County Fair Grounds from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Great Music from Mariachi Orgullo de Mexico, The Billy Martini Band and the Metragnomes.
Boardwalk Bites & Brews (Sept. 28)
A food festival that pairs the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk’s best bites and some of the county’s top brews. Meet local brewers, taste great food and sample an impressive list of more than two dozen local craft beers. For information or to buy tickets visit beachboardwalk.com/Boardwalk-Bites-Brews.
Capitola Beach Festival (Sept. 28)
Capitola’s second annual Beach Festival will have something for everyone. The community event will include a 3-Miler fun run hosted by the Wharf to Wharf, a Horseshoe Tournament, the Lighted Nautical Parade, a Fishing Derby, a Sand Sculpture Contest, the Chalk Art Event, a Concert in Esplanade Park, Rowboat Races and more. Events get going at 8 a.m. For information: capitolabeachfestival.com.
Aptos History Museum Scotch Tasting (Sept. 28)
The Aptos History Museum is hosting a Scotch Tasting fundraiser at Deer Park Wine and Spirits, 783 Rio Del Mar Blvd. #27, in Aptos from 4-4:45 p.m. Learn some history while sipping on some. Entry is $20 for Aptos History Museum Members and $30 for the public. RSVP at Aptos history.org or call 688-1467.
Kidrageous Carnival (Sept. 29)
Carnival fun fills the day at the 21st Annual Kidrageous Golden Carnival at the Watsonville City Plaza from noon to 4 p.m. The plaza comes alive with music, dance, magic, costumed characters, arts and crafts, bounce houses, face painting, an amazing raffle, live entertainment and more.
Tincture Making Workshop (Sept. 29)
Learn how to make natural tinctures with locally grown herbs at Terra Cultura from 1-4 p.m. Be prepared to get a little artsy and creative with your herbal encounters during our foraging expedition. For information or to register: terracultura.org/workshops.
State of the City (Oct. 2)
Watsonville community members are invited to attend the third annual State of the City at the Civic Plaza at 5:30 p.m. Learn how the City has been working with our community to create positive impact. City Manager Matt Huffaker will provide updates on current and future plans for the City of Watsonville. Appetizers and drinks afterward in the Community Room.
National Coffee with a Cop Day (Oct. 2)
Watsonville Police Department will partake in National Coffee with a Cop Day Coffeeville from 3-6 p.m. Brew up conversations with our officers and enjoy a free cup of coffee.
First-Time Homebuyers & Renter Fair (Oct. 3)
Come to the City of Watsonville’s First-Time Homebuyers & Renters Fair to learn the basics of buying your own home. A free community event. Hosted by City Councilman Felipe Hernandez from 6-9 p.m. at the Watsonville Veterans Memorial Building, 215 East Beach St.
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Recurring events
Saturday, Sept. 28
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.
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Sunday, Sept. 29
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. 30
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.
Homework help at Youth Center
Need an extra hand at understanding your assignments? Can’t seem to figure out how to get the right answers? Have a group project due and don’t have a place to meet up? Approach one of our teammates at the Watsonville Youth Center Monday-Thursday from 4-5:30 p.m. and we’ll do what we can to help you get your homework done and get your grades up. Ages 6-22. Must be a registered member to participate. Registration and membership is free. For information: 768-3248.
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Tuesday, Oct. 1
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.
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Wednesday, Oct. 2
Watsonville Rotary
Rotary Club of Watsonville invites community members to its weekly luncheon meeting at the Elks Lodge, 121 Martinelli St., each Wednesday from 12:15-1:30 p.m. The program includes local community speakers that vary each week. For information: watsonvillerotary.com.
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.
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Thursday, Oct. 3
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 Public Library.
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Friday, Oct. 4
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. It 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.
Aromas 4-H Club
The club meets the first Friday of the month at 7 p.m. at the Aromas Grange hall, corner of Rose Avenue and Bardue streets. New members welcome. Details/directions: Rachel Stern at 632-2805.
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.
Mother Song
A fun and special musical program for babies and toddlers with Joya Windwood in the Watsonville Library Meeting Room starting at 10:30 a.m.
