A Guide to Marin's Festival Season

Spring & Summer Calendar

The sun appears to be out for the long haul. Yup, the cruddy weather is behind us. That can only mean tents will be pitched, 20-pound bags of ice will be stockpiled, volunteers will pull on wildly colored T-shirts and streets will be blocked off for Marin's major festivals. It's a great time to savor the arts and culture that Marin offers each year and a prime chance to remind ourselves why we live here - and love it here.

What follows is a list of one-day, one-weekend and two-weekend county events through the end of September that will attract hundreds or thousands of revelers. This list scrapes the surface of what's happening in the county over the next few months - it's a solid start and will help you plot out your summer.

Keep in mind: Most of these festivals are fueled by volunteers and raise funds for nonprofits. If one is dear to your heart, consider contacting the organizers and raising your hand for duty. Just a few hours would be appreciated. That kind of assistance might assure that your favorite bash returns next year.

MAY

MARIN GREEK FESTIVAL
Noon to 10 p.m., May 26 and 27
At Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church, 1110
Highland Drive, Novato; 883-1998; www.NativityofChrist.org. Salute this long-time event, now in its 37th year, offering Greek music and folk dancing, cooking demonstrations, church tours and lots of fabulous Greek food. A part of the proceeds benefits the Novato Youth Center. Admission is $5 adults, $4 seniors, $3 children. Park at Indian Valley College and take the shuttle.

CALEDONIA STREET FAIR
10:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 27
On Caledonia Street, Sausalito; 289-4152. More than 120 arts and crafts vendors offer their works, along with three stages of entertainment, including an international dance stage, food, wine tasting, art and family entertainment. Call for tickets.

BBQ ON THE LAWN
3 p.m. May 28
At Rancho Nicasio, Town Square, Nicasio; 662-2219; www.ranchonicasio.com. Outdoor country setting, hearty barbecue and music with the Blues Broads - Lady Bianca, Tracy Nelson, Annie Sampson and Angela Strehli. $20.

MILL VALLEY MEMORIAL DAY PARADE
May 28. Leaves Old Mill School at 10:30am, proceeds down Throckmorton Avenue to Miller Avenue and finishes at Tamalpais High School. Free. Info: 415/389-0232 or www.mviloveaparade.com.

JUNE

INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL
11 a.m. to 4 p.m. June 2
At Coleman School, 800 Belle Ave., San Rafael; 485-2420; www.colemanevents.com. Annual festival celebrates the cultural diversity of both the school and its city with music and dance performances by students and local performers, a silent auction and raffles, games and activities for kids, an obstacle course and a cake walk and performances by Japanese taiko drummers and Polynesian dancers.

MARIN HOME SHOW AND BENEFIT JAZZ FEST
10 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 2, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 3
At Marin Center Exhibit Hall and Fairgrounds, Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael; 472-3500; www.marinhomeshow.com. Celebrating its 31st year, the show offers 350 exhibits of the latest products for home and garden. The jazz fest features entertainment with Pride & Joy, Rex Allen's Swing Express and a JazzJam Playoff by county high school big bands, and includes a benefit for early music education. $8 each day, $7 seniors and disabled, with Saturday tickets good for Sunday too.

LARKSPUR FOOD AND FLOWER FESTIVAL
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 3
On Magnolia Avenue, between King and Ward streets, Larkspur; 383-3470; www.teamproevent.com. Larkspur's main thoroughfare will be transformed into a promenade of fine food, flowers and crafts for this 17th annual event, that also offers jazz, Latin blues and swing sounds for dancing. A children's area will be set up and the firehouse is home to a Bloomathon of flowers from local gardens. Take a free shuttle from the parking areas at Redwood High and Hill Middle School.

FAIRFAX FESTIVAL AND ECO FEST
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 9 and 10
At Peri Park, Bolinas Road; 485-5699. A 10 a.m. parade June 9 kicks off the 30th annual festival, offering an expanded youth area, a young adult arts program at the Women's Club, two outdoor stages with local music such as Tom Finch and the Purple Band and Danny Uzilevsky and Friends, arts and crafts, a flea market, food and drink and the Eco Fest at the Fairfax Pavilion.

NOVATO FESTIVAL OF ART, WINE & MUSIC
10 a.m. to 7p.m. June 9, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 10
On Grant Avenue between Redwood Boulevard and Seventh Street, Novato; 897-1163; www.novatochamber.com. Shifting to the western side of Redwood Boulevard this year, the 24th annual festival includes rock, jazz, country and blues bands on two stages. Headliners include the Tazmanian Devils, Jackie Greene and the classic-rock kid band Crunchy Frog. There's a children's area with petting zoo, crafts, train and pony rides, 200 arts and crafts booths, a wine tent and wine and beer booths, and live radio remotes. The event is a fundraiser for the Novato Chamber of Commerce.

PINOT NOIR CELEBRATION
3 to 5 p.m. June 9 and 10
At Escalle Winery, 771 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur; 455-9463; www.marinwines.com Third annual event highlights wine from 13 local vineyards, with growers and vintners attending. Artisan, organic Marin-grown cheeses, breads and other foods will be available. Fundraiser for Marin Agricultural Land Trust (MALT). Tickets are $40, $30 for MALT members.

ITALIAN STREET PAINTING FESTIVAL
9 a.m. to 7 p.m. June 10 and 11
At Fifth Avenue and A Street, San Rafael; www.youthinarts.org. For 13 years, hundreds of street painting artists from around the world have entertained with their al fresco artwork, all created with chalk on asphalt. Two stages will feature swing, jazz, rock and R&B tunes, and local restaurants will serve Italian food, beverages and desserts. The fest benefits Youth in Arts.

MARIN ART FESTIVAL
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. June 16 and 17
At Marin Center Lagoon, Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael; 388-0151; www.marinartfestival.com. Stroll this 11th annual lawn party for the arts as 250 artists display their works - from painting and sculpture to photography and jewelry. There will be food and wine, entertainment, strolling musicians, the X-treme stilt-walking contest and the $100 per hour raffle. Tickets are $10, free for children 14 and under.

DIPSEA RACE
Sunday, June 10. 8:30am at Lytton Square. Free. Info: 415/331-3550 or www.dipsea.org

SONOMA-MARIN FAIR
Noon to midnight, June 20 to 24
At Sonoma-Marin Fairgrounds, near East Washington and Payran streets, Petaluma 707-283-3247; www.sonoma-marinfair.org. Five-day fair includes livestock shows, exhibits, a carnival, chef demos and wine tasting, a baby derby, musical entertainment with Bowling for Soup, SheDaisy and Cheap Trick, Latino wrestling and a fiesta, a Destruction Derby and, of course, the World's Ugliest Dog Contest. Admission is $2 to $14; Destruction Derby is $12 to $18.

MILL VALLEY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE WINE AND GOURMET FOOD TASTING
1 to 4 p.m. June 24
At Lytton Square, Sunnyside and Miller Avenue, Mill Valley; 388-9700; www.millvalley.org. Vintners from Napa, Sonoma, the Alexander Valley and Mendocino will be joined by wineries from the Northwest and Europe, approximately 70 wineries pouring their newest and best releases. Thirty local food purveyors, some featured at the San Francisco Fancy Food Trade Show, will offer new and intriguing items. $40 advance, $50 at the gate.

MARIN COUNTY FAIR
11 a.m. to 11 p.m., June 30 to July 4
At Marin County Fairgrounds, Avenue of the Flags, San Rafael; 499-6400; www,marinfair.org. The 62nd Marin County Fair offers events and exhibits, farm animals, free carnival rides, competitions including Dancing Stars, Underwater Photography, Aquarium Art, Beach Art and Sea Shell Art and nightly fireworks shows. For a great view of the action, go for a ride on the 10-story Giant Gondola Wheel. Entertainment includes the Sippy Cups, Salvador Santana Band, the Wailers, Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, the Village People, Jesse Colin Young and KC and the Sunshine Band. Adults $13, seniors and children $11, children under 4 free. Children's Day is July 2 and all kids 12 and under get in free.

MARIN/SCAPES
Noon to 6 p.m. June 30 to July 4
At Escalle Winery, 771 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur; www.marinscapes.org. Nineteenth annual art exhibit and sale of works celebrating the life and landscape of Marin County, featuring works from more than 60 local and California artists. Proceeds support local artists and Buckelew Employment Services. This year's featured artist is Mill Valley's Tom Soltesz. $15. Special events include a June 12 artists' reception from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Bank of Marin in Corte Madera: $35; and an opening night gala from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. June 28 at Escalle: $125.

JULY

CORTE MADERA FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
July 4. Parade leaves Redwood High School in Larkspur at 10:30am, moves down Magnolia into Corte Madera and continues down Tamalpais to the Town Center. Town Park celebrations follow. Free. Info: 415/924-0441.

LARKSPUR FOURTH OF JULY CELEBRATION
July 4. Parade leaves Redwood High School in Larkspur at 10:30am, moves down Magnolia into Corte Madera and continues down Tamalpais to the Town Center. Town Park celebrations follow. Free. Info: 415/924-0441.

NOVATO FOURTH OF JULY PARADE
July 4, 10am. Downtown Novato. Info: 415/899-8900.

SAUSALITO JULY FOURTH PARADE, FIREWORKS
July 4. Parade begins at 10am. Food, music and games begin at noon in Dunphy Park, at the corner of Napa and Bridgeway. Fireworks follow after dark. Free. Info: 415/289-4152.

WOODACRE FOURTH OF JULY PARADE AND CELEBRATION
Parade begins at noon at the Woodacre Improvement Club (1 Garden Way), follows Railroad Avenue to the Dickson Ranch.

CARRERA DE SAN RAFAEL
July 7, times to be determined
In downtown San Rafael; race course is Fourth Street, D Street, Fifth Avenue and A Street; www.carrerasanrafael.com. Professional and amateur road cyclists sprint around downtown NASCAR-style before thousands of spectators. There is also a kids' event, booths from downtown business and a 60-booth vendor expo that emphasizes health and fitness.

SAN ANSELMO ART & DESIGN FESTIVAL
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. July 14 and 15
On San Anselmo Avenue between Tamalpais to Bolinas streets. 800-310-6563; www.sresproductions.com. The weekend includes displays by more than 225 artisans, two stages full of music from light classics to rock 'n' roll, and a family fun zone, plus home and landscape design demos and gourmet cooking displays.

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL WEEKEND
8:30 p.m. July 21, 3 p.m. July 22
At Rancho Nicasio, Town Square, Nicasio; 662-2219; www.ranchonicasio.com. Asleep at the Wheel plays in the Rancho Showroom and the outdoor BBQ on the Lawn. $35.

AUGUST

SAN RAFAEL FOOD & WINE FESTIVAL
Saturday, August 11. 10am-6pm at Falkirk Cultural Center, Mission and E streets.
Info: 415/485-3328 or www.sresproductions.com

TIBURON ART FESTIVAL
11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Aug. 25, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 26
At Ark Row, Tiburon; www.tiburonartfestival.com. Inaugural event with art from between 50 and 60 artists including paintings, photography, glass, jewelry, woodwork and sculpture. Music, food and entertainment and activities for children will be included.

SAUSALITO ART FESTIVAL
6 p.m. to midnight Aug. 31, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 1 and 2, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 3
At Bay Model Visitors Center and Marinship Park; 332-3555; www.sausalitoartfestival.org. The 55th anniversary of the open air event offers fine art and sculpture, food and beverages and big name entertainment, including Jefferson Starship, the Blind Boys of Alabama and the Marshall Tucker Band. General admission is $20, seniors are $10, children 6 to 12 $5 and a weekend pass is $30.

SEPTEMBER

BELVEDERE-TIBURON LABOR DAY PARADE
Sunday, September 2. Begins at Tiburon Blvd. and San Rafael Ave. and ends at Belvedere Community Park. Free. Info: 415/789-5166.

LABOR DAY AT THE LAKE
Sunday, Sept. 2, 5 to 9pm. Stafford Lake, Novato. Free. Info: 415/899-8200.

MARIN CITY BLUES & SOUL PARTY
Noon to 6, Sept. 3
In 100 block of Drake Avenue, Marin City. http://performingstars.org; 332-8316. The 10th annual Labor Day event will feature the Spiritual Keys, the Alligator & the Bayou Boogie Band, Amber Dante, Annie Sampson, Mz. Dee, Angela Strehli, Margie, the Bobby Webb Band and Booker T. Jones. Also includes ethnic foods, fun for kids and classic cars. Free.

TRADE FEAST SATURDAY
Sept. 8, from 11am to 6pm; Sunday, Sept. 9, from 11am to 3pm at Miwok Park, 2200 Novato Blvd. Free. Info: 415/897-4064 or www.marinindian.com

SALSA FESTIVAL DE NOVATO
Sunday, Sept. 9, 11am to 5pm. Downtown Novato. Free. Info: 415/892-1516

GREAT AMERICAN BLUES AND BARBECUE FESTIVAL
11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 15
In downtown San Rafael, Fourth Street between A and Cijos streets. Get ready for some R&R, that is, ribs 'n' rhythm at this rockin', smokin' back-to-the-roots musical get-down, headlined by Austin de Lone's R&B-B-Q Review. The afternoon includes the musicians marketplace, micro brews and all things barbecue.

MILL VALLEY FALL ARTS FESTIVAL
10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sept. 15, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sept. 16.
At Old Mill Park, Mill Valley; www.mvfaf.org. 51st annual community event features arts, crafts, entertainment, special children's crafts and entertainment, and food and beverages provided by Mill Valley nonprofits. $7 adults, children 12 and under free.

TIBURON MILE OPEN WATER SWIM
Sunday, September 16. 9am. Info: www.rcptiburonmile.com

ROCK 'N BLUES BY THE LAKE
Sept. 29, times to be announced
At Stafford Lake County Park, off Novato Boulevard 5 miles west of Novato; www.rocknbluesbythelake.com. Sammy Hagar and the Bacon Brothers headline the fifth annual family musical event benefiting Novato Public Schools.

FARMER'S MARKETS (BY CITY):

FILM NIGHT IN THE PARK - 2007 SCHEDULE

LOCATIONS

SAN ANSELMO: Creek Park, the 400th block of Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
FAIRFAX: Central Field, Broadway & Bank
MILL VALLEY: Old Mill Park, 300th block Throckmorton Ave.
SAN RAFAEL: Albert Park, B Street & Albert Park Lane
SAN GERONIMO: San Geronimo Cultural Center, 6350 Sir Francis Drake Blvd.
SAN FRANCISCO: Washington Sq. Park, Union & Columbus / Dolores Park, Dolores & 19th / Union Square, Geary & Powell

ALL SHOWTIMES: 8 p.m.

COST: Donation requested -$6 adults, $3 children
PHONE: 415-453-4333 WEB SITE: www.filmnight.org

Film Night in the Park is a project of the A.P.P.L.E. Family Works.

*Screenings in San Francisco are presented by The San Francisco Neighborhood Theater Foundation.

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