The Crossroads of California Street Faire – Manteca’s first big outdoor gathering of spring - returns for its 16th run on Saturday, April 14, and Sunday, April 15, in downtown Manteca.

The street fair takes place both days from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

“It is a big community reunion,” noted Suzanne Clemens who serves as marketing representative for the Manteca Visitors Center that stages the event. “A lot of people make a point to go to it to see people form around town they haven’t seen for awhile. You also get a lot of former residents coming back.”

The annual event has lured as many as 50,000 people downtown in past years.

Vendors have ranked the Manteca event as one of the top fairs in the state.

In a bid to expand beyond 300 vendors, organizers have lowered the fee for those selling handcrafts.

There are still a few spaces left for the two-day event. Information can be found by going to www.visitmanteca.org or calling the Manteca Visitors Center at 823-7229.

The street fair includes food vendors, a car show, free entertainment and a kids’ zone.



Hit the Streets for Hunger 5K on Saturday, April 14

Hit the Streets for Hunger is a 5K Walk/Run with 1 mile and 5K courses along the Tidewater Bike Path in Manteca taking place on Saturday, April 14, in conjunction with the Manteca Visitors Center Street Fair.

 The annual event is designed to raise awareness and funds for Second Harvest Food Bank.  It is a family friendly event and all ages are welcome to participate.

Registration forms are available at Second Harvest Food Bank, 704 Industrial Park Drive or on line at http://localfoodbank.weebly.com or by calling 239-2091.

Registration starts at 7 a.m. race day at the corner of Elm and Center streets in downtown Manteca. The one mile race starts at 8 a.m. followed by the 5K at 8:30 a.m.

The top three male/female finishers in each age category 10 years or older will be awarded medals for the 5K. The awards ceremony will take place at 10 a.m. on the Gazebo Stage at Library Park following the races.

Entry fees are as follows; Pre-registration is $20 while family registration for up to four (pre-registration only) is $50.  Pre-registration includes T-shirts.



Other activities at street fair

Four murals recently installed at Library Park will be dedicated on Saturday, April 14. The time has yet to be announced by the Manteca Mural Society.

The murals include “Beginnings” by Terri Pasquini depicting the Yokut Indians whose ancestral lands are in and around Manteca; “The Pioneers” by Jessie Marinas depicting the hard struggle to make a living and provide for the family that was faced by farmers that settled the Manteca area before irrigation was developed; “Agriculture” by Colleen Mitchell-Veyna portraying the bountiful harvests once Manteca farming came into its own with irrigation; and  “Industry” by Brian Romagnoli showcasing Manteca industries over the years.