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Elvis sighting in downtown on Saturday
anderson LT
Jim Anderson & the Rebels during a recent performance. - photo by Photo Contributed

FAST FACTS

• WHAT: 30th annual Manteca Pumpkin Fair

• WHERE: Downtown Manteca

• WHEN: Saturday, Oct. 4, & Sunday, Oct. 5, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Jim Anderson — a popular home-grown rock singer that pays tribute to Elvis Presley’s early years — is performing on the Main Stage of the 30th annual Sunrise Kiwanis Pumpkin Fair this weekend in downtown Manteca.

Jim Anderson & the Rebels are on stage from 4 to 6 p.m. Saturday.

Also on the Main Stage Saturday are Steel Glass from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., Resident Angels from noon to 1:30 p.m., and Threshold from 2 to 3:30 p.m.

Sunday’s line-up includes Mike Hammer and the Nails from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Penetrators Groove Band from 1 to 3 p.m., and Latin Sound from 3:30 to 5:30 p.m.

Jim Anderson & the Rebels have recorded their first album which is a compilation of songs previously recorded by Elvis.  These songs were recorded during their live shows from 2013.  They plan on recording their first Country and Gospel Album, and also a follow-up Album of Elvis Music in the coming months.

The group consists of Jim Anderson, a five piece instrumental group, and back up harmonies.

Anderson  first performed in 1986, while still in high school, after being coerced by his football buddies to enter a variety show. After about six words of “Love Me Tender”, to his surprise, there were 1,000 people screaming so loud you couldn’t even hear the music. The reaction was so great he was immediately booked for several small venues. The venues continued to grow larger and he became an opening act for such renowned names as: The Platters, The Coasters, The Isley Brothers, The Marvelettes, The Del Vikings, Zydaco Flames, and the “Ragin’ Cajun” himself, Doug Kershaw.

In 1992, Anderson decided to step off the stage to pursue a career in law enforcement. He was both a police officer and a sheriff’s deputy until he was forced to retire due to major injuries sustained the line of duty. 

Despite his injuries and his forced retirement he was determined to step back on stage and rekindle his first passion, entertaining.  

• • •

Discount carnival ticket sales end Wednesday at 5 p.m.

The Pumpkin Fair kicks off Wednesday when the carnival starts a five-day run adjacent to the old Best Buy store in The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley at the 120 Bypass and Union Road.

Those who buy tickets in advance can save significantly providing they obtain ticket books by Wednesday, Oct. 1, at 4 p.m. The cost is $20 for a book of 30

The book — if left intact — can also be traded in for an all-day ride wristband for one person.

Advance ticket sales are available at the Visitors Center on Grove Street near the fountain in the Orchard Valley complex, Golden Valley Credit Union across from Verizon on Center Street, Give Every Child a Chance on Commerce Court at 322 Sun West Place, and Road Runner Glass in the 200 block of North Main Street.

The carnival hours are Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday (Oct. 1-3) from 4 to 10 p.m. as well as Saturday and Sunday (Oct. 4-5) from noon to 10 p.m.

The two-day Pumpkin Fair street fair in downtown Manteca typically draws nearly 40,000 people. 

A commercial vendor booth for the two-day street fair that includes free entrainment is $300 while arts and crafts booths are $230. Non-profit fundraising booths are $200 and food booths are $430.

You can go to the website www.mantecapumpkinfair.org for vendor booth information.