Spring and summer highlights

Throughout the season

Farmers’ Market
Local growers put on weekly produce sales on Saturdays year-round from 7:30 a.m.-1 p.m. in the parking lot at Second and Wall streets. 893-FARM.

Thursday Night Market
This popular street market is sponsored by the Downtown Chico Business Association and includes free entertainment along with the produce and other goods for sale. It runs from 6 to 9 p.m. through late October.

Concerts in the Park
Chico’s Downtown Park Plaza fills with music some summer evenings. On Fridays, the host is the DCBA (345-6500), with everything from oldies to jazz to world music. And on Saturday nights starting May 8 and running through October, the Music Revolution (321-8843). returns with a focus on “the greatest music in the world.”

Chico Rooks Soccer
The local pro soccer organization hosts home games at Chico State University’s Soccer Stadium on some Saturdays and Sundays through August. 343-7665.

Silver Dollar Speedway
Races are held most Friday nights, and summer events include the Golden State Challenge Series. 891-6535.

Chico Museum
Through mid-September, an exhibit titled: “Yosemite Remembered.” Featuring Chicoan’s memories of trips to the national park, along with a photo project in which historic photographs are retaken to illustrate the passage of time. 891-4336.

Chico Community Observatory
Chico Community Observatory is open to the public Thursday through Sunday from sunset until three hours after sunset. The observatory is located in Upper Bidwell Park near the Horseshoe Lake parking lot. www.chicoobservatory.com

April

Spring Jamboree
April 10. The CARD Spring Jamboree invites children 3rd grade and younger to celebrate Easter and meet the CARD bunny at the annual event at Caper Acres in Bidwell Park. Pre-schoolers, 5-year-olds and under meet at 9:30 a.m.; Kindergarten-1st graders meet at 10:00 a.m.; 2nd –3rd graders meet at 10:30 a.m.

I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change
April 15- May 15. This is the longest-running off-Broadway revue in history, which explores the journey from dating and waiting to love and marriage. Tickets are $14 in advance. Dinner and theater tickets are also available. Chico Cabaret, 895-0245.

Hedwig & the Angry Inch
April 15- May 1. The Blue Room Theatre presents this musical about Hedwig Schmidt, an East German rock ’n’ roller who happened to be the recipient of a botched sex-change operation. 895-3749.

Dance: Keeping Dance Alive
April 16-18. Chico Performances presents this dance concert in Laxson Auditorium at Chico State, which has showcased some of Northern California’s finest dancers and choreographers. There are many styles ranging form jazz to ballet and flamenco to ballroom. Tickets range from $16 for adults to $10 for CSU and Chico/Butte students. 898-6333.

Red Bluff Round-Up
April 16-18. One of the biggest rodeo events in the nation is held 40 minutes north of Chico at the Tehama County Fairgrounds. The Red Bluff Round-Up Parade is April 17 at 10 a.m. in downtown Red Bluff.

Founders Week
April 17-25. This celebration at Chico State is an alumni association-sponsored week of historical fun. 898-4143. www.csuchico.edu/pa/foundersweek .

League of Women Voters Wine Tasting
April 18, 4-7 p.m. More than 50 wineries will be pouring at this event which includes a famous buffet of appetizers. Held at the Lakeside Pavilion. For information call 342-4663.

Chico Chamber Annual Golf Tournament
April 19. Golf, raffle, prizes, food and fun at Butte Creek Country Club. April 9 deadline. 891-5556.

Gold Nugget Days
April 22-25, brings a parade, talent shows, entertainment and more to Paradise, all in honor of the Gold Rush on the Ridge. 872-8722.

Radio Gals
April 22- May 15, Thurs.-Sat., at 7:30 p.m. The play put on by the Chico Theater Company is a comedy set in Arkansas in the 20’s. Reserve tickets at www.chicotheatercompany.com.

50th Annual Home Tour
April 24, 11a.m.-3:00 p.m. The Phoenix, providing hope for children, presents this event in which four homes will toured and a luncheon held at the CARD center. For tickets call Linda Kirk at 342-4948.

Wildflower Century Bike Race
April 25, is an annual trek through scenic Butte County, with awards given. National publications have named it one of the top 10 rides. 343-8356. www.chicovelo.org.

May

21st Annual St. John’s Garden Tour
May 1, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. View four lovely gardens and enjoy a delicious lunch 11 a.m.-2:30 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal church. Plant boutique opens at 10:30 for ticket holders. 894-1971.

Endangered Species Faire
May 1 from 10-4, in Bidwell Park’s Cedar Grove. Hosted by the Butte Environmental Council, this is the oldest environmental fair in Northern California. It will feature interactive booths created by schools, nonprofits and government agencies. Animals, music, clowns, puppets, crafts, clothing, food and more will be on hand, with this year’s special event being the One Heart Ceremony with giant puppets. 891-6424.

Celebration of People Parade*
May 3, 10 a.m.-noon. A downtown procession and competition of floats celebrating Chico’s array of backgrounds, beliefs and people. 891-1383. * Parade’s name is set to be changed via a community contest.

Chico Artisans’ Faire
May 1 and 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Downtown Park Plaza. More than 50 craft vendors sell their wares amid live music and a parade. 345-9652.

Spring Musical
Man of La Mancha. May 5-8, 7:30 p.m., May 9, 2 p.m.Tickets available at the University Box Office, 898-6333.

Feather Fiesta Days
May 1-9. It’s a series of events—from a parade to a chili cook-off-remembering Gold Rush times. For more info call Oroville Chamber of Commerce at 538-2542 or Freda Flint at 534-7690.

The Madwoman of Chaillot
May 7- 23. The Birdcage presents the classic fable by Jean Giradoux. Tickets range from $8-10. 589-1278.

Fresh Ink
May 13- 22. The Blue Room Theater presents its 11th-annual Festival of New Plays, wherein four playwrights are given a cast and an assignment to write a 20-minute play for their cast in one week. 895-3749

The Sleeping Beauty
May 14- 15. Northern California Ballet brings the much beloved fairy tale classic to life in this full-length story ballet. Filled with spectacle and mystery, this celebration of true love and magic is the perfect treat for the whole family. Tickets range from $15 for adults to $7 for children/students. 872-8454.

Five Women Wearing The Same Dress
May 20- June 12. During a wedding reception in Knoxsville, Tenn., five reluctant bridesmaids hide out in an upstairs bedroom, each with her own reason to avoid the proceedings below. Theater on the Ridge, 877-5760.

Red Suspenders Day Celebration
May 15, takes place for the 42nd year in Gridley’s Downtown Park with a pancake breakfast, entertainment, crafts, bed races, pony rides and a petting zoo as part of this year’s theme of “Five Alarm Fun.” 846-3142.

Silver Dollar Fair
May 26-31. Chico’s annual community fair at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds features exhibits, livestock, the rodeo, a carnival midway, auto races and concert talent. 895-4666.

June

Steppin’ Out
June 3-26, Thurs.-Sat., at 7:30 p.m. The Chico Theater Company presents a good natured show centering around the lives of 8 mismatched members of a beginning tap dance class, their instructor and a cantankerous pianist. The lives and characters of these ten diferent people unfold as they prepare themselves to perform in a charity dance concert. Reserve tickets at www.chicotheatercompany.com.

How the Other Half Loves
June 3-19. A love triangle story for the new millenium. Glorious comic observations mark this as one of Ayckbourn’s early triumphs. Blue Room, 895-3749

The Fantasticks
June 11- 27. The Birdcage presents this musical by H. Schmidt and T. Jones, voted best production in 1995-96. Tickets range from $8-10. 589-1278

Micro Brew Fest 2004
June 5, from 2-6 p.m. The 8th annual Micro Brew Fest, with plenty of tasting opportunities, will be held at Manzanita Place (the Chico Elks Lodge). Tickets available at the Chico Brewhouse, Home Brew Shop, Diamond W Western Wear, Sierra Nevada Brewery and the Chico Chamber of Commerce. For more info call 342-3768.

Bloomsday
June 16, at the Blue Room Theatre, is Chico’s annual celebration of James Joyce’s Ulysses. 895-3749.

42nd Annual Industrial Barbecue
June 18. Chico Aviation will be spotlighting the health care industry with Steelhead BBQ serving up a delicious meal and Double Funk Crunch returning for their second appearance. 891-5556.

Cruisin’ Paradise
June 25-26. It’s back to the 1950s for this weekend of rock ’n’ roll, car show and barbecue held throughout the town. Contact the Paradise Chamber for more info 877-9356.

Threshing Bee
June 19-20. This is the second annual event hosted by Chico Museum at Patrick Ranch’s 28 acres on The Midway. See antique farm equipment, enjoy food and see living history as a threshing bee is reacted before an expected 3,000 people.

Native American Pow Wow
June 19-20. Chico Pow Wow 2004 will be held at 20th Street Community Park. Members of different tribes will attend, with dancing and drumming competitions, plus crafts, a health fair and Indian fry bread. Admission and parking are free. 898-8516.

Food & Wine Pairing
June 20. The ARC of Butte County presents California wineries and food of local top restaurants’ chefs at this food and wine pairing held at the Park Tower Pavilion. For tickets and details contact Rich Faringer at 891-5865 ext. 118.

Chico Rancho Days Parade of Lights
June 25 at 8:30 p.m. Downtown lights parade. For details on participation contact Bev Crosby 342-6290.

July

Fourth of July celebration
The 39th annual celebration at One-Mile Recreation Area in Bidwell Park. 343-6055.

Fireworks over Lake Oroville
July 4. The name says it all. 538-2542.

A Grand Night for Singing
July 15- August 14. Chico Theatre Company presents 38 top show tunes form the genuis of Rodger’s and Hammerstein including “The surrey with fringe on top,” “Shall we dance?” and “Kansas City.” Reserve tickets at www.chicotheatercompany.com.

A Slice of Chico
July 17, is where sidewalk-sale shopping meets free watermelon courtesy of downtown merchants. 345-6500.

August

Bidwell Bark
Aug. 7. This event is a 5k walk/jog for pet owners and their dog. 342-1380. www.PetCPR.com.

Butte County Fair
Aug. 25-29, at the Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley, brings a good-time country fair with a rodeo, booths, carnival, entertainment, destruction derby, Butte County Queen pageant, livestock and agriculture-themed events. 846-3626.

Twain Miners Fair and Old West Celebration
Sept. 4-5, in the Feather River Canyon on Highway 70 at Twain, Calif. This trip back to the Gold Rush era includes music, crafts, mining activities and more. History displays range from the gunslingers to the Native Americans. 283-2130.

September

A Taste of Chico
Sept. 12, is the annual opportunity to sample the fare-food, microbrews and wines-offered by a variety of Chico’s restaurants and businesses. 345-6500.

Durham Harvest Festival
Sept. 19, 7 a.m. – 4 p.m. Local produce is the focal point of this event at Durham Community Park, which also includes a car show, steam engines and crafts. 891-4821 ext. 106.

Pastels on the Plaza
Sept. 13-14, brightens up the Downtown City Plaza for charity, courtesy of the Parent Education Network. 893-0391.

Salmon Festival
Sept. 25, at the Feather River Fish Hatchery and Nature Center. A multicultural event. 538-2542.