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 6-9 p.m. through the last week of September.

Concerts in the Park
Chico’s City Plaza fills with music on select summer evenings. On Fridays through September, from 7-8:30 p.m., the host is the DCBA (345-6500), who books everything from oldies to jazz to world music. And on Saturday nights, starting at about 6:30, Sound Events will host a variety of live shows through October (with the exception of some mid-summer weekends).

Shakespeare in the Park Plaza
After years of performing at Bidwell Park, the Ensemble Theatre of Chico brings its productions of Shakespeare to the heart of downtown—the City Plaza—for its 18th season, with three plays running June 23-July 30. Admission is by donation only, bringing the program to the community on a pay-what-you-can basis. www.ensembletheatreofchico.com. 891-1382.

Chico Outlaws Baseball
Chico’s professional baseball team looks to put runs on the board and bottoms in the bleachers at its home field, Nettleton Stadium. The season starts June 10 and continues until the end of August, with the playoffs to follow. Visit www.ChicoOutlawsbaseball.com to buy tickets. 345-3210.

Chico Force Basketball
The International Basketball League begins its third season in April and continues into June. www.chicoforce.net. 866-IBL-GAME.

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

Chico Museum
Come visit the Chico Museum for “What’s Going On?—California and the Vietnam Era,” running through July 8. The exhibit examines the impact of the Vietnam War on California life and culture. 891-4336.

Chico Air Museum
Located at the Chico Municipal Airport, the museum features both an outdoor display area and indoor facility. Open Saturdays from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. 345-6468.

Chico Community Observatory
Chico Community Observatory is open to the public Thursday through Sunday from sunset to three hours after sunset. The observatory is located in Upper Bidwell Park near the Horseshoe Lake parking lot. 343-5635. www.chicoobservatory.com

April

High School Musical
Through May 4, Thurs.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m. Matinee on April 29 at 2 p.m. Full of dancing, upbeat songs and laughs, you won’t want to miss this show. Chico Theatre Company. Reserve tickets at www.chicotheatercompany.com. 894-3282.

Shakespeare in Hollywood
Through May 19, Thurs.-Sat. Shakespeare’s famous fairies appear on the Warner Bros. Hollywood set in this comedy. Chico Cabaret. www.chicocabaret.com. 895-0245.

May

Goblin Market
May 3-20. Billed as a mini-musical. Two proper Victorian sisters—grown women—struggle to reconcile the erotic yearnings of adolescence when they are magically transported back to girlhood in a bizarre woodland glen. Blue Room Theatre. www.blueroomtheatre.com. 895-3749.

The Glass Menagerie
May 4-20, Fri.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m. Matinees May 6, 13 and 20 at 2 p.m. Tennessee Williams portrays individuals who continually yet unintentionally hurt each other in his classic and perhaps best-loved play. Birdcage Theatre. www.birdcagetheatre.net. 533-2473.

24th annual St. John’s Garden Tour
May 5, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. View four lovely gardens, enjoy a delicious lunch and a bountiful plant boutique. Tickets available at Little Red Hen Nursery and St. John’s Episcopal Church. 342-5732.

CAMMIES Awards Ceremony
May 5, 7-10 p.m. Check out the area’s diverse musical talents as the Chico News & Review’s Chico Area Music Awards come to a conclusion during an all-out bash, with music from a variety of genres and the announcement of this year’s winners. www.newsreview.com/cammies. Senator Theatre. 517 Main St. $5.

Chico Artisans’ Faire
May 5-6, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. at City Plaza. More than 50 craft vendors sell their wares amid live music and a parade. The 36th annual event. 345-9652.

Endangered Species Faire
May 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. in Bidwell Park’s Cedar Grove. Hosted by the Butte Environmental Council, the oldest environmental fair in Northern California is in its 28th year. It will feature booths with info on ecology, wildlife and many environmental issues. Animals, music, food and more will be on hand. The theme is “Gliding Giant Garter Snakes: Protect their Wetlands Home.” 891-6424.

Pioneer Day Parade
May 5, 11 a.m. A downtown procession and competition of floats and other creative entrants celebrating the North State’s history and environment, along with other community distinctions.

Wine Tasting
May 6, 5-8 p.m. The third annual event for Chico Community Ballet at Lakeside Pavilion at California Park, benefiting Chico’s ballet company of young dancers. Tickets available at Vino 100 and Chico Creek Dance Centre. 893-9028.

Paradise Chocolate Fest
May 10-12. The Boys & Girls Club of the North Valley hosts this three-day chocolate extravaganza, featuring a Chocolate Queen Contest and Coronation, chocolate and wine tasting, Chocolate Candy Land, and other yummy activities. Terry Ashe Park at 6626 Skyway. 899-0335.

Feather Fiesta Days
May 12. 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.

North State Symphony
May 12, 7:30 p.m. Eroica! Chico State University. Laxson Auditorium. Tickets available at the University Box Office, 898-6333.

Glenn County Fair
May 16-20. Enjoy the carnival rides, entertainment, livestock auction and exhibits at the Orland Fairgrounds. 865-1168.

Silver Dollar Fair
May 23-28. 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.

Moonlight and Magnolias
May 24-June 16, Thurs.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m. Matinees June 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. David O. Selznick shuts down production of Gone With The Wind, and locks himself, a screenwriter and a director into a room for seven days to battle over details of the film in this funny piece set in 1939 Hollywood. Theatre on the Ridge. www.totr.org. 877-5760.

Jukebox Saturday Night
May 26, 7:30 p.m. This will roll back the music calendar to the Big Band era, featuring the vocal artistry of Don Cherry. Paradise Performing Arts Center, 777 Nunneley Road. 872-8454.

Fresh Ink
May 31-June 9. Four plays written and rehearsed in one week! Really. This annual plays festival is one of the most anticipated events of the season. Blue Room Theatre. www.blueroomtheatre.com. 895-3749.

June

Father Knows Best
June 1-23, Thurs.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m. Matinee on June 17 at 2 p.m. Getting her first date with Ralph wasn’t easy and Betty’s afraid it’ll be her last. Father has decided he wants the family to spend an evening at home, but he ends up learning a lesson. Chico Theater Company. Reserve tickets at www.chicotheatercompany.com. 894-3282.

Hooked on Fishing
June 2, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Kids 14 and younger are invited to fish for their one-fish quota at Bidwell Park’s Horseshoe Lake. 891-4757.

Centerville 49er Day Faire
June 3, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. The 39th annual Old School House & Museum Benefit celebrates the 1890s with a mountain men’s camp, gold panning, a tour of California’s oldest working powerhouse and much more. 13548 Centerville Road, Chico. 342-9197.

Honey Run Covered Bridge Pancake Breakfast
June 3, 7-11 a.m. The annual pancake breakfast that supports the preservation of the historic bridge. 876-8483.

Wine Tasting Extravaganza
June 3, 2-5:30 p.m. The ARC of Butte County presents a variety of vintages from regional wineries and a sampling of savory delights from the top local chefs at this food and wine pairing held at the Park Tower Pavilion during this seventh annual event. www.arcbutte.org. For tickets and details call 891-5865.

UG: The Caveman Musical
June 7-July 7, Thurs.-Sat. Prehistory is the setting of this hilarious musical in which a tribe of Neanderthals invent musical theater. Chico Cabaret. www.chicocabaret.com. 895-0245.

Chico Microbrew Festival
June 9. The 12th annual Microbrew Festival—with tasting opportunities and live music—will be held at Manzanita Place (the Chico Elks Lodge). Tickets at the Home Brew Shop, Diamond W Western Wear, Sierra Nevada Brewery and Black Crow. www.sibidwellrancho.org.

Cruisin’ Paradise
June 9. It’s back to the 1950s for a weekend of rock ’n’ roll, car shows and barbecue held in the parking area of the Senior Center and the Performing Arts Center on Nunneley Road. Contact the Paradise Chamber for more info, 877-9356.

Old Fashioned Threshing Bee
June 9-10. This annual event is 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 re-enacted before an expected 3,000 people.

45th annual Industrial Barbecue
June 21, 5:30 p.m. A special event highlighting a local area of business, with food, dancing and information booths. Silver Dollar Fairgrounds Pavilion. 891-5556.

Showtune
June 22-July 1. The music of Jerry Herman. Chico State Court Theatre. Wismer Theatre. Tickets available at the University Box Office, 898-6333.

Native American Pow Wow
June 23-24. Noon-10 p.m. Saturday, noon to 6 p.m. Sunday. Chico Pow Wow 2007 Sober Nations will be held at 20th Street Community Park. Members of different tribes will attend, with dancing and drumming competitions, plus crafts, a health fair, a Circle of Healing and Indian fry bread. Admission and parking are free.

Much Ado About Nothing
June 23-25 and July 1, 2, 9, at 8 p.m. Shakespeare in the Park Plaza. Star-crossed lovers coming and going, peril-plotting villains and blustering buffoons all play their parts in this raucous romantic comedy. www.ensembletheatreofchico.com. 891-1382.

Born Yesterday
June 27-July 8. Chico State Court Theatre. Wismer Theatre. Tickets available at the University Box Office, 898-6333.

Open Eyes, Open Hearts Concert and Silent Auction
June 29, 6:30 p.m. Featuring Lacy J. Dalton at Paradise Performing Arts Center, 777 Nunneley Road, Paradise. Contact Carol Kelly, 891-1331.

July

Fourth of July celebration
July 4, 7:30 a.m.-3 p.m. The 42nd annual celebration at One-Mile Recreation Area in Bidwell Park, with a pancake breakfast, food booths, pie-eating contest and music. 343-6055.

Independence Day Parade & Street Fair
July 4, 10:30 a.m. The parade begins along Skyway, between Center and Birch streets, in Paradise. The street fair is located at Paradise Community Park on Black Olive Drive. www.paradisechamber.com. 877-9356.

Racing and Fireworks
July 4. Racing starts at 6 p.m. at Silver Dollar Speedway, with fireworks to follow. 891-6535.

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

The Blackbird Sings
July 7, 8, 15, 16, 21 at 8 p.m. Shakespeare in the Park Plaza. Dashell Hammett’s detective classic The Maltese Falcon takes a musical turn in this production. It’s an original script featuring some of the greatest hit songs of all time making the performance sure-fire family fun. www.ensembletheatreofchico.com. 891-1382.

Royal Gambit
July 11-15. Chico State Court Theatre. Wismer Theatre. Tickets available at the University Box Office, 898-6333.

Cabaret
July 13-22. Chico State Court Theatre. Harlen Adams Theatre. Tickets available at the University Box Office, 898-6333.

Dyin’ to be on Broadway
July 13-Aug. 11, Thurs.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m. Matinees on July 29 and August 5 at 2 p.m. After a blow to the head, Jerry, a janitor at a community theater, wakes up to find himself in “Broadway heaven” with stars of the stage. This original musical comedy has scenes and songs from many Broadway hits. Chico Theatre Company. Reserve tickets at www.chicotheatercompany.com. 894-3282.

A Slice of Chico
July 14, 9 a.m.-5 pm. A sidewalk-sale meets free slices of ice-cold watermelon courtesy of downtown merchants. Downtown Chico. 345-6500.

Cruz’n Classic Car Show
July 14, 7 a.m.-5 p.m. The 13th annual classic car show at Durham Park. Event includes pancake breakfast, barbecue lunch, show awards and poker walk. 897-0531.

Scapino!
July 14, 22, 23, 28, 29, 30 at 8 p.m. Shakespeare in the Park Plaza This tale set in Italy has everything you’re looking for in a family comedy: wily servants who outsmart their masters, young lovers kept apart by their parents, misers who would do anything to keep hold of their money; and let’s not forget the gypsies, chase scenes and the happy ending. www.ensembletheatreofchico.com. 891-1382.

Clue: The Play
July 19-Aug. 18, Thurs.-Sat. The classic board-game brings its eccentric cast of characters to the stage for this hilarious who-done-it. www.chicocabaret.com. 895-0245.

Enter the Guardsman
July 25-29. Chico State Court Theatre. Wismer Theatre. Tickets available at the University Box Office, 898-6333.

Showcase
July 29. Chico State Court Theatre. Harlen Adams Theatre. Tickets available at the University Box Office, 898-6333.

August

Butte County Fair
Aug. 22-26. Butte County Fairgrounds in Gridley brings a good-time country fair with a rodeo, booths, carnival, entertainment, destruction derby, pageant queen, livestock and agriculture-themed events. 846-3626.

September

A Night at the Sands
Aug. 30- Sept. 15, Thurs.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m. Matinee on Sept. 9 at 2 p.m., and a fundraising show Aug. 18. Travel back to the early 㥄s and enjoy an evening filled with some of the best music ever written and performed by the likes of Frank, Sammy, Dean, and others. Chico Theater Company. Reserve tickets at www.chicotheatercompany.com. 894-3282.

Reefer Madness
Aug. 30-Sept. 29, Thurs.-Sat. Reefer madness takes to the tunes in this wacky and hilarious musical comedy. www.chicocabaret.com. 895-0245.

Chico AirFest
Sept. 1. Watch amazing aerial displays and enjoy ground entertainment, aircraft displays and great food at the Chico Municipal Airport. Presented by the Chico Chamber of Commerce. 891-5556.

Spoon River Anthology
Sept. 6-29, Thurs.-Sat. at 7:30 p.m. Matinees Sept. 16 and 23 at 2 p.m. Set in a cemetery in small-town America in 1915, ghosts of the dead reveal secrets—crushed dreams and concealed pleasures—they guarded while alive. Theatre on the Ridge. www.totr.org. 877-5760.

A Taste of Chico
Sept. 9, noon-4 p.m. An annual opportunity to sample the food, microbrews and wines offered by a variety of Chico’s restaurants and businesses. 345-6500.

Pastels on the Plaza
Sept. 22. Brightens up the City Plaza, courtesy of the Parent Education Network. 893-0391.

Durham Harvest Festival
Sept. 16. Local produce is the focal point of this event at Durham Community Park. Also includes a car show, steam engines and crafts. 891-4821 ext. 106.

Diamond W National Bull Riding Championship
Sept. 21-22, 5:30 p.m. Diamond W Western Wear presents the National Bull Riding Championship Finals at the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds. 891-1650.

Salmon Festival
Sept. 22, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Feather River Fish Hatchery and Nature Center. A multicultural event. 538-2542.

Days of Living History
Sept. 22-23. Relive 100 years of history with crafts, demonstrations, hands-on activities, food and fun at the Gold Nugget Museum, 502 Person Road, Paradise. 872-8722.