One the biggest single day events ever staged by the Manteca Parks & Recreation Department — Manteca Food Truck Mania — returns to Woodward Park on Sunday, May 8, from 3 to 8 p.m.
The inaugural event last month drew more than 6,000 people.
As of Monday at least 14 food trucks have committed including several different vendors.
The trucks will line the turnaround adjacent to the group picnic area. There will be bounce houses and other family activities.
Attendees are advised to bring cash as a number of food trucks don’t accept credit or debit cards.
SactoMoFood is organizing the food trucks. Future Food Truck Mania events are planned for the second Sunday of each month through October under the auspices of the Manteca Parks and Recreation Department.

Bike rodeo is
returning May 21
The Manteca Police Department and Parks & Recreation Department are joining forces to stage a free bike rodeo on Saturday, May 21, from 9 a.m. to noon at Giles Memorial Park next to the Boys & Girls Club at 545 W. Alameda St.
It’s been a number of years since the last bike rodeo.
It will include a series of stations directly relating to every day bicycling situations. Participants will learn about bicycle safety, avoiding common road hazards, and bike maintenance. Kids are asked to bring their bicycles and helmets. If you don’t have either there will be bicycles and helmets on loan for the rodeo.
Bicycles will also be inspected.
Free hot dogs, chips and drinks will be available. Kids will have a chance to create their own licensed plate. The Manteca Police canine unit will also conduct a demonstration. For questions, contact Parks & Recreation at 456.8600.
The return of
Jedi traininng
Jedi Knight Training is back after a six-year hiatus as part of the department’s Kid’s Night Out Parties for children ages 4 to 10. It takes place Friday, May 13, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Manteca Senior Center, 295 Cherry Lane.
Participants are encouraged to dress in their favorite Star Wars attire.
All participants will make their own light sabers, practice meteor shower defense, participate in a Jedi obstacle course, and compete in pod racing. Yoda’s special “Green Juice” and Jedi Galaxy Gorp” will be served when training is complete.
No spectators are allowed. Parents are asked to return at 7:30 p.m. for the Jedi Certificate Ceremony.
Instructors/Jedi trainers are from the ranks of the Manteca Youth advisor Commission.
The cost is $25 for residents and $35 for non-residents.

Father-daughter
dance May 14
Tickets for “Frozen” — the father-daughter dance planned for Saturday, May 14, from 6 to 8:30 p.m. — are still available.
Manteca Parks & Rec added the second staging of “Frozen” after all 300 tickets were sold more than a week before the first dance back in February. They had to turn down upwards of 150 ticket requests the week leading up to the dance that included dinner, dessert and dancing as well as touches such as visits from princesses. There are even optional photo packages.
There is no guarantee tickets will be available at the door or even the week prior due to the high demand.
The evening is designed for fathers, uncles and grandfathers to accompany girls ages 3 to 14 on a date.
The event staged by the Manteca Youth Advisory Commission is $40 per couple. Each additional girl is $8. 
More information on Jedi Training and the father-daughter dance is available by going to www.mantecagov.com/parks or calling 209.456.8600.