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Saturday offers smorgasbord of things to do
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Saturday offers plenty to do in Manteca ranging from a garden tour and the opening day of the Senior Games to a Cinco de Mayo celebration.

Most are free to attend although the garden tour (details below) requires buying a $15 ticket.

Cinco de Mayo at Promenade Shops
The biggest event is the “Fiesta Day” that is part of the Cinco de Mayo celebration being staged by the South San Joaquin Hispanic Chamber of Commerce from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday at The Promenade Shops at Orchard Valley, Union Road and the 120 Bypass.

There will be entertainment, exhibitors, food vendors, and beer garden, the entertainment on the performance stage, and children’s activities and rides.

The fiesta will be held in the west of Bass Pro in the Best Buy and JC Penney parking lots. The featured entertainment is the well known Latin Magic Band from 3 to 6 p.m.

Other entertainment includes at 10 a.m., the National Anthem sung by Amanda; 10:15 a.m., Launchpad; 11:45 a.m., Manteca Youth Focus; 1 p.m., Funtastics; and 1:30 p.m., DJ Music.

Free kids fishing derby & safety fair
One of Manteca’s most popular kids’ events - the Sunrise Kiwanis’ fishing derby and safety fair- takes place this Saturday, from 7 to 11 a.m. in the CVS Drug Store parking lot at 1190 North Main Street.

Huge troughs are placed under canopies on Lancaster Drive to give every kid a chance to catch and keep their own trout.

The free event is open to those 15 and younger. Bait, line and pole will be provided. Volunteers will assist kids with fishing.

The Manteca Parks and Recreation Commission along with the Manteca Youth Advisory Council are co-sponsors of the event.

EU High JROTC car & bike show
The 11th annual East Union High JROTC Car & Bike Show takes place Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the North Union Road campus. It will feature military displays, the Army climbing wall, Manteca Police K9 demonstration, JROTC demonstrations, food, and entertainment plus a large number of entries in 16 categories ranging from custom rods, classic cars, street cars, and motorcycles and more.

It’s location under the stately shade trees in front of the high school makes it one of the more popular car shows. There is a $25 same-day registration. For more information contact Karl Knutsen at 825-3143.

Carnival open through Sunday
The California Carnival Co. will be in full swing today, Saturday, and Sunday until 10 p.m. each day adjacent to the McDonald’s on East Yosemite Avenue.
The carnival benefits the committee that is underwriting the bulk of the costs for the Memorial Day Weekend celebration later this month at Woodward Park.

Torch run starts Senior Games
An honorary torch run Saturday will mark the opening of the second annual Manteca Senior Games taking place May 8-16 at various venues throughout Manteca.

The Manteca Senior Games is a feeder competition to the California State Senior Olympics for athletes 50 and older. The torch relay runners include R.C. Owens, San Francisco 49er Alumni, Bay Area Sports Hall of Fame Inductee 2010; Robin Taberna, founder of Golden State Karate Association and local athlete; Zona Zaragoza, local inspirational mother supporting Mothers Day 2010; Irene Obera, 2005 USA Master Track Championships Gold Medalist; Cherri Cherrard, 1967 Pan American Games Gold Medalist; Anne Cribbs, a member of the 1960 Olympic swimming team Gold Medalist; and Jon Anderson, founder of Anderson 209 BMX Team.

The relay begins Saturday, May 8, at 9 a.m. from 1451 Americana St. in Del Webb at Woodbridge and ends up at the BMX track at Spreckels Avenue and Moffat Boulevard about 10 a.m.

The route will be approximately 5.5 miles starting at Del Webb on Union Road, to Center Street, to North Street, to Cottage Avenue, continuing on Spreckels Avenue, and ending at the new Manteca BMX facility.

Manteca Senior Games sponsors are Woodbridge @ Del Webb, Merrill Gardens, Prestige Senior Living, Best Buy Manteca, Wesson Hearing Aid Center & Harder Optometry, The Commons @ Union Ranch, Golden State Karate Association, Andersons 209 BMX, Manteca Unified School District, Delta National Bank, Central Valley Screen Printing, Big League Dreams, Manteca Parks and Recreation, PG&E, Tuff Boy Trailers, The Big Bopper Shopper, Manteca Ambulance, Manteca Trailer & Camper, Manteca Sports Commission and the Manteca Convention & Visitors Bureau.
 
Free beginners BMX rider clinic
Anderson’s 209 BMX Race Team will be holding a free beginners rider clinic on Saturday at 1 p.m. at Spreckels BMX Park.

All ages are welcome. Bring your bicycle and helmet.

They also will be taking American Bicycles Association memberships throughout the day.  They will be offering free one day memberships, 30 day memberships and full year memberships. Those under 18 must have parental permission for membership.

For more information contact Cathy at 209-482-7063.

Free decluttering program Saturday
The “ABC’s Of Organizing Your Home: Tips On How To Declutter Everything From Your Closet To Your Garage” is part of a free presentation on Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at the Manteca Branch Library

 Sharon Testo, professional organizer and owner of “Organizing with Aloha”, will discuss how to organize your life and get rid of clutter.

The Manteca Branch is located at 320 W Center St.