It is the first weekend of October 2025 and there are several events planned in the Mother Lode.
First on Friday, the Sonora Lions Club presents their 2nd annual Surf & Turf dinner at the Sonora Elks Lodge. The doors open at 5 PM, tickets details are in the event listing here.
In Murphys catch a whole day of family fun Saturday on Main Street at the Annual Street Faire. Over 100 Artisan vendors of quality arts and crafts, antiques and more line the street to celebrate the harvest hosted by the Feeney Park Foundation. The 32nd Annual Grape Stomp, hosted by the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance, occurs in the Murphys Community Park with up to 120 teams competing. Enjoy both events from 9AM to 5PM.
Saturday is Oktoberfest where you can also walk the streets of Twain Harte and indulge in beer, wine, and food tastings from over ten restaurants and bars. Ticket holders are eligible to participate in the Stein Holding competition and a Yodeling competition. Ticket details are here.
The Tuolumne County Handmade Parade will be in Jamestown hosted by the Tuolumne County Arts at Rocca Park. The free day of arts and entertainment for all ages is followed by a parade of costumes, creations, and performances. Main St. will then be temporarily closed around dusk for participants to have the opportunity to show off their custom creations. This year’s theme is Endangered Animals Trashion (trash + Fashion) Expect giant puppets, dances, marching bands, and stay after the parade for performances.
The Mariposa, Amador, Calaveras and Tuolumne Health Board, also known as MACT, presents the BIG TIME Health and Wellness Fair this Friday, and Saturday from from 10 AM to 5 PM and Sunday from 9 AM to 12 PM at the MACT Medical Campus on Highway 49 north of San Andreas. There will be health screenings, resources, and much more. For details go to macthealth.org
Mountain Youth and Community Theater, also known as MyAct, presents “Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – School Edition” Set in the shadowy streets of Victorian London, the story follows a wrongfully exiled barber as he returns to seek vengeance. The play runs from Friday October 3rd through Sunday October 12th as detailed here.
Murphy’s Creek Theater continues with performances of “Mrs. Whitman’s Words for Women” a play that explores the roots of the women’s rights movement. A detailed blog by Tori James about the play is here.
Performances of “Of Mice and Men” continue at the Sierra Repertory Theatre’s Fallon House in Columbia. A detailed blog about the performance is here.
The Gateway Community Church of Groveland is hosting its 15th biennial quilt show named “Celebrating Friendships.” Over 100 quilts from friends, neighbors and members of the local Pine Needlers Quilt Guild will be on display for the first time. There will also be a craft boutique and a bake sale as detailed here.
The 50th annual Lumberjack Day in West Point takes place this Saturday starting at 7 AM with a home-cooked breakfast at the Veterans Memorial Hall. The Lumberjack Day parade begins at 11 AM. The day includes loggers contests, a craft fair, a car show, youth activities, live music, games and more as detailed here.
Saturday there is a benefit fundraiser dinner for the victims of the Chinese Camp TCU September Complex Fire at the Sonora Elks Lodge. The doors open at 5 PM. Dinner will be served at 6 PM. There is a $10 minimum donation for dinner, Chinese Camp residents eat for free. There will also be raffle prizes, and a silent and live auction.
The first ever Nancy’s Hope Music Festival will take place this Saturday from 1 to 6 PM at the Westside Pavilion in Tuolumne City. There will be two stages. The main stage will feature the Keith Burrow Band and others. Bring chairs and blankets. No ice chests. This is a family friendly, alcohol-free event. Tickets are $35 for adults. Free admission for kids under 10.
Fresh produce, handmade goods, and unique treasures from local farmers, artisans, and young entrepreneurs will be found at local Sonora Farmers’ Market on Saturday mornings. The City of Sonora approved allowing alcohol vendors at the market as detailed here. Tuolumne County Transit offers a free Saturday bus route between Columbia and downtown Sonora, running from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. until October 11 as detailed here. The Farmers Market at Murphys Community Park is open this Sunday as detailed here.
Sunday the 49th Sonora Bach Festival begins with the Youth Concert. The concert begins at 3 pm at the Chapel in the Pines in Twain Harte. The guest artist is Violist, Samantha Tse. Tickets are $10 to listen to the twenty youth finalist scholarship winners who will perform their pieces and receive a $100 scholarship. Details about more Bach Festival events are in the event listing here.
There are two yard sale events this weekend listed in our Classifieds here.
Dodge Ridge is open for scenic chair rides, mountain biking, disc golf, and hiking. The restaurant of the month for October is The Smoke Café in Jamestown. Check out the movie times at local theaters, including Pinecrest Movies Under the Stars, and local gas prices are in our traffic section.
