Cover story

BEACH TUNES Los Lobos play to the crowds in front of the Dream Inn in Santa Cruz May 27 as such outdoor venues start to open up.

return The

of summer

Compiled by JOHANNA MILLER

As students celebrate graduations and the end of the school year, families are looking ahead to the summer months for the promise of fun and recreation.

After a year of closures due to Covid-19, in-person events and fundraisers are slowly returning. And with the planned June 15 reopening for California, more may be on the horizon.

From small fundraisers at local breweries, to outdoor food festivals and live music, local businesses, organizations and municipalities are finding ways to bring back old events in safe ways.

“All in all, it is exciting to see many of the annual events and traditions that our community holds so dear make a comeback this summer,” said Nick Calubaquib, Parks and Community Services Director for the City of Watsonville. “Although the events this year may not look exactly like they did pre-pandemic (due to the short planning window and ongoing Covid restrictions), we are excited to bring people back together live and in person to celebrate all of the things that make this community so great.”

Listed in this article are just some of the events and fundraisers that are happening in the Pajaro Valley, Santa Cruz County and surrounding areas in the next few months.

Have fun out there—just remember to stay safe, wear a mask, and keep your distance.

SUMMER 2021 EVENTS

Recurring

Music in the Plaza

The City of Watsonville’s free concert series, Music in the Plaza will return in July and run through the summer. The weekly concert series features local bands playing a variety of different genres. Specific dates and performers TBA. For updates, and for a calendar of other free activities (including for Park and Recreation Month in July), visit watsonvillerec.com. Live Music at El Vaquero Winery

El Vaquero Winery, 2901 Freedom Blvd., is holding a number of live music events at its outdoor location in Corralitos. Come enjoy some tunes while sampling the winery’s wide selection of wines and local food trucks. Reservations are required, as space is limited. For a concert schedule and for information, visit elvaquerowinery. com or the business’ Facebook page. Santa Cruz Shakespeare

Santa Cruz Shakespeare will return this summer to live, in-person performances. Tickets are on sale now for a series of outdoor performances at The Grove starting in July. The theater company will present: “RII,” Jessica Kubzansky’s adaptation of Shakespeare’s Richard II and “The Agitators” by Matt Smart. For information and to buy tickets visit santacruzshakespeare.org. Live Music at Abbott Square Market

Abbott Square Market in Santa Cruz (725 Front St.) is once again hosting live music and deejay sets at its outdoor concert venue. Concerts are announced in the days leading up to performances through Abbott Square’s Facebook page. For information about Abbott Square Market, visit abbottsquaremarket.com. June

RedBall Santa Cruz

To celebrate the Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History’s 15th Anniversary, the RedBall Project, known as the world’s longest running street art work, will be installed at various locations throughout the county. June 8-13, the large artwork (created by Kurt Perschke) will travel around and be installed in various locations, from the museum itself to the Santa Cruz Wharf and all the way to the Cabrillo College center in Watsonville. For a full schedule, visit santacruzmah/ org/events. Raise a Pint to the Qmmunity

more than a year. Fruition Brewing will be celebrating Pride Month by selling special cans of their beer, Pride Snack. For every can sold during the month of June, $1 will be donated to PV Pride. In addition, a drag show will be held on June 13 at 4pm and 6:30pm (performers TBA). Masks and social distancing required. For information, visit Fruition Brewing’s Facebook page. To learn about PV Pride, go to pajarovalleypride.org. Gerbera-N-Go

Reimagined for 2021, the Gerbera Festival is back as a drive-thru event. The event, in its 11th year, benefits Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks and the Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau Agricultural Worker Vaccine Program. Crates of five plants featuring a mix of colors can be preordered online for $10, and crates will be available day-of for $15 as supplies last. Pick up flowers at Kitayama Brothers Farms, 481 San Andreas Road, Watsonville. Please stay in your vehicle and wear masks during pickup. Order now at www.thatsmypark. org/gerbera. Makers Market: The Art of Nature

This free event will be held June 19, 11am-3pm at Tyrell Park near the Santa Cruz Museum of Natural History, 1305 East Cliff Drive. Meet featured artists from the museum’s annual exhibit, The Art of Nature. Watch artists at work through live demonstrations at their booths, and support their work by going home with prints, stickers, cards, cups and more. There will also be an illustration station to create your own works of art inspired by the native plants in the museum’s Garden Learning Center. July

Annual Vintage Picnic

The Pajaro Valley Historical Association will hold its annual Vintage Picnic on July 3 from 11:30am-3pm. A lunch buffet will be served by Monterey Bay Caterers, and special guest speaker will be local historian Sandy Lydon, who will speak on T.S. MacQuiddy and Hal Hyde. Tickets are $25 for adults. To order, visit pajarovalleyhistory.org, call 7220305 or mail a check to PO Box 623, Watsonville, 95077. All sales must be received by June 24. Spirit of Watsonville Neighborhood Parade

The City of Watsonville Parks and Community Services invite the community to participate in the Spirit of Watsonville Neighborhood Parade on July 4. Residents can decorate their home or business like a Fourth of July parade float, or follow the map and take a tour of other neighborhood decorations. No entry fee required. Starter kits are available for the first 50 participants. For information, call 7683240 or visit watsonvillerec.com.

Tarmo Hannula

OUTDOOR FUN Birders enjoy an up-close view of birds at Elkhorn Slough Reserve.

14th Annual Hot Rods on the Green

Benefiting the Kingsmen Industrial Arts Scholarship Program, the 14th Annual Hot Rods on the Green returns on July 10. Come enjoy a multitude of cars, trucks and modern muscle cars, as well as live music, local food trucks, a raffle and more at Twin Lakes Church, 2701 Cabrillo College Drive, Aptos. The event is free to spectators, and $25 per car to display. Sign up online at tlc.org/ kingsmen. Covid-19 recommendations will still be in place. Hosted by the Kingsmen Car Club of Santa Cruz. Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards Dinner

On July 31 the Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce will host its 59th annual awards dinner at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave. This year’s event, entitled “An Afternoon in Paradise,” will award local individuals, businesses, organizations and events for their hard work and dedication to the community. Tickets are available now at bit.ly/34G85lb. The Artichoke Festival 2021

The Artichoke Festival will return to the Monterey County Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey, on July 24-25. The festival will return to celebrate 61 years of all things artichokes — the official vegetable of California and Monterey County. The festival will include fun for the whole family, featuring local chef demonstrations, artichoke-inspired food, local musical entertainment, farmers markets, artichoke agricultural exhibits, a street hot rod car show, arts and crafts booths, contests and more. To order tickets and for information, visit artichokefestival.org.

August

Watsonville Strawberry Festival

The Watsonville Strawberry Festival is back in 2021, to be held on Sunday, Aug. 8. The festival aims to provide a safe, family-friendly experience for families in downtown Watsonville, while supporting local nonprofit organizations by giving them the opportunity to raise funds and awareness. More details about the 2021 festival TBA. For updates, visit cityofwatsonville.org. Watsonville Rotary Maine Lobster Fundraiser

The Watsonville Rotary Foundation is aiming to support disadvantaged Pajaro Valley youth with the return of its Maine Lobster Feast on Aug. 21. The revamped event will be a drive-thru this year; come by the Watsonville Elks Lodge (121 Martinelli St.) between 1-5pm to pick up your reserved and pre-paid dinners. The menu includes a 1 1/4-pound lobster, shrimp, corn on the cob, sausage, artichoke, potatoes, garlic, sourdough baguette and, of course, your lobster bib, lobster cracker and placemat. Each dinner will be professionally prepared by the New England Lobster Company. For information and to order, visit bit.ly/3pc6ME. Gilroy Rodeo 2021

The Gilroy Rodeo will bring the community a series of rodeo events such as bull riding, barrel racing, saddle bronc riding and more Aug. 13-15. Spectators can enjoy a heavy dose of wild west action and other attractions such as live music and vendors. As a nonprofit event, all proceeds and donations from philanthropic efforts at the rodeo are donated directly to youth organizations and programs fighting pediatric cancer in the surrounding area. More updates to be released soon. Stay in touch for any changes due to Covid-19.