The dearth of community gatherings in Manteca since the pandemic struck 15 months ago is ending next week.

*The all-new Market on Maple — a certified farmers’ market running through the end of October on Thursdays — starts June 3.

*The Crossroads Street Fair — a downtown staple that typically draws upwards of 30,000 people over two days — is returning Saturday, June 5, and Sunday, June 6 after being sidelined by the pandemic for 14 months.

Both events will observe COVID-19 protocols. For now that means the wearing of face masks at all large outdoor gatherings.

Market on Maple

Market on Maple takes place Thursdays from 5 to 8:30 p.m. through Oct. 28 in the 100 block of North Maple anchored by the post office.

The street along with the parking lot next to the Rust Salon will also be blocked off for market use.

The certified market organization staging the market in concert with the City of Manteca has confirmed there are 40 vendors lined up.

Besides certified fresh farm products there will be other vendors as well as entertainment. The concept is modeled more like the street markets in Tracy and Modesto.

This week’s event will include a beer garden benefitting the Manteca Police K-9 association that is trying to secure funds to purchase two more police dogs. Brethren Brothers Brewery, which is in the process of remodeling a building adjacent to the FESM Hall in the 200 block of Main Street as a brew pub, is providing the beer with all proceeds going to the K-9 unit.

The Maple Avenue location is arguably the nicest side street in downtown. It has been made festive in recent weeks after Behr Electric donated the labor and equipment to string clear lights and colored flags across the 100 block of Maple Avenue.

The new Market on Maple is part of a stepped up city presence in downtown. The City Council recently bought the former public health’s services building and adjoining parking lot from San Joaquin County as a “satellite” city hall.  

Applications for vendor space is available at www.cjcfarmersmarket.com/applications.html . For more information call (209) 456-8600 or email recreation@mantecagov.com.

Street fair

There are still vendor spaces left for the June 5-6 street fair that takes place both days from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in downtown Manteca.

They have already lined up more than 90 craft vendors with an overall total in excess of 200.

For the first time in its 21 year history, the street fair will have a theme. It’s being called the “Crossroads Watermelon Street Fair.

There will be children’s activities a car show, a boat and RV show, a BMX bike expo and more.

Vendor and visitor information can be found at www.visitmanteca.net, by calling (209) 823-6121 or emailing joann@manteca.org.

The Manteca event will be the first traditional major street fair in the South County since the 2020 Ripon Almond Blossom Festival.

To contact Dennis Wyatt, email dwyatt@mantecabulletin.com