FAST FACTS
WHAT: 47TH annual Almond Blossom Festival
WHEN: Feb. 27, 28 & March 1
WHERE: Mistlin Park in Ripon
MORE INFO: Go to www.riponchamber.org or call 599-7519
RIPON — The Ripon Chamber of Commerce presents the 47th Annual Blossom Festival Friday, Saturday, and Sunday at the Mistlin Sports Park 1202 E. River Road.
This year patrons will enjoy twice as much entertainment with events centered at the new Amphitheater.
Sponsors are Assist International, Brocchini Farms, Inc., NuCal Foods, Inc., Oak Valley Community Bank, NuLaid Foods, Inc., Tuff Boy Leasing, The Commons at Union Ranch, Black Oak Casino, Bank of the West, American AgCredit, Drafting & Designs Services, Neenah Paper, FR, LLC, McManis Family Vineyards, Alfred Matthews Dealership, American Legion Auxiliary Post 190.
The Grand Marshal for the 2009 Festival is Judy Tvedt They are honoring the Soroptimist International Ripon this year and the theme is “Celebrating 18 years of Community Service”.
The parade this year is on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. The route remains unchanged but parade viewers need to arrive early.
On Thursday, the Lion’s Club Spaghetti Dinner begins at 4:30 p.m. advance tickets $10 adults through high school, $6 grade school, tickets sold at the door will be $12 for adults. The Almond Blossom Queen Coronation starts at 7 p.m. at the Community Center and marks the actual start of the Festival.
The traditional carnival rides, parade, Almond Blossom Fun Run and the Diaper Derby. A variety of food and craft vendors will return and the Festival runs Friday through Sunday. All spaces have been filled and each one offers something unique. Face painting, cartoon characters and entertainment for the kids will be available throughout the weekend.
The California Carnival is having a special $1 per ride night on Thursday starting at 5 p.m. at Mistlin Sports Park.
Of special interest to young and old alike will be the return of the Diaper Derby Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Ripon High School Abeyta-Hortim Gymnasium. For a small fee of $5 this venue allows babies of crawling age to show their stuff in a race to the finish for cash prizes and trophy.
Ripon Police Department’s VIP’s will have shuttles buses running from downtown out to Mistlin Sports Park. The pick up/ drop areas are: Nestles Park & Ride Lot, Ripon High
School Parking lot and Zion Church parking lot. The shuttle will run: Friday, from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9:30 p.m. for a donation of $1 per person one way. For Saturday the schedule times, pickup times will be on the hour at the above locations and on the half hour at Mistlin Sports Park. No service on Sunday.
The Grange Breakfast is this Saturday from 6 to 10 a.m. at the Grange Hall, 827 Ripona Ave. Adults are $6 while children under 10 are $4.
On Saturday, the Quarterback Club will have their Annual dance. The hours are from 8 p.m. to midnight. There is a $10 donation and you must be 21 and over to attend the dance.
The Annual Almond Blossom Run will be held on Saturday. There is a 1-mile and 8K Run. Entry fee is $20 per person or if you would like to run both races the fee is $25. Medal awards and cash will be presented to the winners in each race.
On Sunday, the VFW will have there pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to midnight. Tickets are $7 for adults, children under five are free. The VFW Hall is located west of town at 12544 West Ripon Road.
This year patrons will enjoy twice as much entertainment with events centered at the new Amphitheater.
Sponsors are Assist International, Brocchini Farms, Inc., NuCal Foods, Inc., Oak Valley Community Bank, NuLaid Foods, Inc., Tuff Boy Leasing, The Commons at Union Ranch, Black Oak Casino, Bank of the West, American AgCredit, Drafting & Designs Services, Neenah Paper, FR, LLC, McManis Family Vineyards, Alfred Matthews Dealership, American Legion Auxiliary Post 190.
The Grand Marshal for the 2009 Festival is Judy Tvedt They are honoring the Soroptimist International Ripon this year and the theme is “Celebrating 18 years of Community Service”.
The parade this year is on Saturday beginning at 11 a.m. The route remains unchanged but parade viewers need to arrive early.
On Thursday, the Lion’s Club Spaghetti Dinner begins at 4:30 p.m. advance tickets $10 adults through high school, $6 grade school, tickets sold at the door will be $12 for adults. The Almond Blossom Queen Coronation starts at 7 p.m. at the Community Center and marks the actual start of the Festival.
The traditional carnival rides, parade, Almond Blossom Fun Run and the Diaper Derby. A variety of food and craft vendors will return and the Festival runs Friday through Sunday. All spaces have been filled and each one offers something unique. Face painting, cartoon characters and entertainment for the kids will be available throughout the weekend.
The California Carnival is having a special $1 per ride night on Thursday starting at 5 p.m. at Mistlin Sports Park.
Of special interest to young and old alike will be the return of the Diaper Derby Saturday at 10 a.m. at the Ripon High School Abeyta-Hortim Gymnasium. For a small fee of $5 this venue allows babies of crawling age to show their stuff in a race to the finish for cash prizes and trophy.
Ripon Police Department’s VIP’s will have shuttles buses running from downtown out to Mistlin Sports Park. The pick up/ drop areas are: Nestles Park & Ride Lot, Ripon High
School Parking lot and Zion Church parking lot. The shuttle will run: Friday, from 3:30 to 9:30 p.m., Saturday from noon to 9:30 p.m. for a donation of $1 per person one way. For Saturday the schedule times, pickup times will be on the hour at the above locations and on the half hour at Mistlin Sports Park. No service on Sunday.
The Grange Breakfast is this Saturday from 6 to 10 a.m. at the Grange Hall, 827 Ripona Ave. Adults are $6 while children under 10 are $4.
On Saturday, the Quarterback Club will have their Annual dance. The hours are from 8 p.m. to midnight. There is a $10 donation and you must be 21 and over to attend the dance.
The Annual Almond Blossom Run will be held on Saturday. There is a 1-mile and 8K Run. Entry fee is $20 per person or if you would like to run both races the fee is $25. Medal awards and cash will be presented to the winners in each race.
On Sunday, the VFW will have there pancake breakfast from 8 a.m. to midnight. Tickets are $7 for adults, children under five are free. The VFW Hall is located west of town at 12544 West Ripon Road.
