Relay For Life And More May Events

It is a weekend of important events for the first weekend in May.

Today, Columbia College will hold its 44th Commencement at 6:30pm in the Oak Pavilion. Immediately after the ceremony a reception for the graduates, their families, friends and guests will be held in Carkeet Park next to the pavilion.

The Opening Ceremonies for Tuolumne County’s Relay For Life will begin Saturday at 8:30am at the Sonora High School. Food, music and other entertainment is scheduled for the 24-hour American Cancer Society event. The Luminary Ceremony starts at 8:30pm to remember those that have passed away from cancer. The 24 hour relay will conclude Sunday morning at 9 AM.

The 54th Firemen’s Muster held by the Columbia Fire Department along with Engine Company #1 begins Saturday at 9:00am at Columbia State Historic Park. A “Firefighter’s Muster” is a firefighter’s Antique Olympics, in which firefighting equipment and techniques are used in competition for trophies and Championships. It is a free family event starting with a parade through the historical Main St. Columbia with fun competitive events to follow. More etails are available in the event listing here.

Big Trees State Park will host a Seminar about the Large Carnivores of Big Trees State Park. The seminar begins at 10:00am, for details view the event listing.

At 10:00am on Saturday the Queen Horsemanship contest will be held at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. The event is free, Sunday the Queen Pageant will be held at the Opera Hall to crown the 2013 Round Up Queen. For the Round Up schedule of events and more information view the Round Up section here.

Also at the Sonora Opera Hall, a Fashion Show fundraiser from 6:30pm – 9:00pm on Saturday. More details in the event listing.

Studio 4 Dance Theater’s Spring Showcase 2013 begins on Saturday at 3:00pm.
The Bret Harte High School Performing Arts Theater will host the third annual Spring Showcase, which includes a mix of ballet, jazz, hip hop and contemporary dance. For ticket prices view the event listing here.

Summerville High and Connections Visual and Performing Arts Academy will present “Encore” the Music of Our Times on Saturday at 7:00pm. The song and dance musical revue of music from Broadway to Rock ‘N Roll, features the school’s Constellations Show Choir, Zero Hibernation Jazz Band, and Jazz@8 choir students. For ticket prices view the event listing here.

Also on Saturday Sierra Walforf School will hold their May Day Festival to celebrate spring with a May pole, crafts, live music, and food. Admission & parking is free and open to the greater community. The schedule of activities is in their event listing here.

On Sunday the Calaveras 3rd Annual Walk4Life hosted by Door of Hope Pregnancy Resource Center will begin at 2:00pm. Participants will be walking from Utica Park though Angels Camp and back. For registration prices view the event listing here.

Sunday is Cinco de Mayo and there is a ranger lead hike from the Parrotts Ferry Bridge Parking Area up the Duchess Mine Trail. Beginning at 10am rangers will speak about the trials and tribulations Hispanic miners faced during the California gold rush. Further details about the hike are here.

Sunday the Motherlode Fairgrounds will feature Julie’s Journey a Drivethru Tri-Tip Dinner starting at 4:00pm. The fundraiser will help to pay for Julie’s trip to China for a medical treatment. Details are in the event listing.