Ripon’s 57th annual Almond Blossom Festival gets underway Thursday with a $1 ride night.

All rides are $1 (Thursday only) at the carnival that opens at 5:30 p.m. at the Mistlin Sports Park, Jack Tone Road and River Road.

Thursday is also when the Almond Blossom Queen coronation takes place Thursday, at 7 p.m. at the Ripon Community Center. The Ripon Lions spaghetti dinner starts at 4:30 p.m. at the same location. The Almond Blossom bake-off starts at 7 a.m. at the Ripon Community Center.

Unlimited ride wrist bands for the carnival’s three remaining days — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — will be available through 4 p.m. Wednesday at the Ripon Chamber of Commerce office on Stockton Avenue for $25 and can be used any of the three days. The unlimited ride wrist bands are $35 at the carnival.

The carnival opens Friday starting at 4 p.m. There is also a craft and bake sale at the Ripon Senior Center, 433 S. Wilma Ave., starting at 9 a.m.

The Almond Blossom Festival with its wide variety of food and craft vendors also takes place at the Mistlin Sports Park where the carnival is being staged.

The festival and carnival get underway at noon. Saturday with the festival closing for the day at 5 p.m. Vendors are open Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and the carnival opens at noon.

Admission to the grounds of free. There is a $5 parking charge.

Also taking place on Saturday:

*6 a.m., Grange Pancake Breakfast, 827 Ripona Avenue.

*7 a.m., American Legion Auxiliary Breakfast, 100 block South Stockton Avenue.

* 8:30 a.m., Almond blossom Fun Run at Stouffer Park.

* 9 a.m. Craft and Bake Sale, senior center 433 South Wilma Avenue.

* 10 a.m., Diaper Derby, Ripon High School North Gym; .

*11 a.m., Quarterback Club Beer and Brats fundraiser, Ripon Community Center.

* 1 p.m. Almond Blossom parade.

To contact Glenn Kahl, email gkahl@mantecabulletin.com