RIPON — The Almond Blossom Carnival opens Thursday from 4:30 to 10 p.m. at Mistlin Sports Park on River Road between Jack Tone Road and North Ripon Road.

California carnival is staging $1 per ride night on Thursday.

The actual festival will open Friday at noon followed by the carnival at 3 p.m. on Friday.

Both the carnival and festival are open Saturday and Sunday.

Tickets for the Almond Blossom festival carnival are available for $15 today and Thursday at the Ripon Chamber of Commerce, 929 W. Main St. They can be turned in Thursday, Friday, and Sunday for a wristband that entitles you to ride as many rides as you wish that day. You cannot convert it to a wristband for Saturday. Tickets are on sale 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. today, Tuesday and Wednesday at the chamber office. Call 599-7519 for more details.



• SPAGHETTI DINNER: The Ripon Lions’ annual Almond Blossom Spaghetti Dinner is set for Thursday, Feb. 23, from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the Ripon Community Center.

The all-you-can-eat meal features spaghetti, salad, and bread.

Tickets are $12 for adults and high school students as well as $5 for children in advance. The tickets are $14 and $6 at the door.

The Almond Blossom Queen crowning takes place afterwards.

Tickets are available from any Lions member; Medeiros Barber Shop, 207 S. Locust Ave.; Darryl Bartels Insurance, 210 S. Stockton; and dentist Navid Fardanesh, 1308 W. Main St.

The profits will go for local programs such as the Ripon High JROTC, Boy Scouts, college scholarships , Sober Grad Night, and other community activities.



• RIPON VFW ALMOND BLOSSOM BREAKFAST: Ripon’s Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1051 will be holding its annual Almond Blossom Breakfast on Sunday, Feb. 26, from 8 to 11:30 a.m.  This breakfast will be an all-you-can-eat buffet with eggs, potatoes, bacon and sausage along with pancakes and biscuits and gravy. Price also includes coffee and breakfast juices. 

For just an $8 donation for adults and $4 for children under 12, what better way can you take your family out to end Almond Blossom weekend and at the same time support your veterans.  The Post is located at 12455 West Ripon Road or for more information call 599-6815. 



• GRANGE BREAKFAST: Ripon Grange’s 50th Annual Almond Blossom Pancake Breakfast takes place Saturday, Feb. 25, from 6 to 11 a.m. at 827 Ripona Ave. The cost at the door is $7 for adults and $4 for children. Advance tickets for adults are $6. They can be purchased at The Tank House Gift Shoppe, 132 S. Acacia Ave., Schemper’s Hardware or the Ripon Fire Department.



• RIPON SENIOR POTLUCK: The February potluck meeting will be held Monday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. at the Ripon Senior Center, corner of S. Wilma and W. 4th Street.

You are encouraged to bring a friend.

All attending are asked to bring a main dish, a salad, or a dessert. Please bring a generous portion so that there will be enough for everyone. Those who are not able to prepare a dish, are welcome also; if able to put a suggested donation of $4 to $6 in the box on the front table.

The program will start at 7 p.m. featuring Amanda Mallett at the piano. Bring your own table service plate, silverware and coffee cup.