PLACER COUNTY

SUMMER

Fred Biletnikoff Hall of Fame Golf Classic - June 2 at Catta Verdera Country Club, 1111 Catta Verdera, Lincoln, California near Sacramento. Celebrity players from across the nation, continental breakfast, a shot gun start, a putting contest, a hole-in-one contest, a 19th hole reception, a dinner, entertainment and a silent auction. (925) 556-2525

America’s Most Beautiful Bike Ride - Taking riders past some of the most spectacular scenery in the nation, this annual early June event includes a family-friendly boat cruise, a 72-mile ride around Lake Tahoe, and a full 100-mile ride. The 3000 participants help promote the completion of the Lake Tahoe Bikeway, which will interconnect bike trails around all of Lake Tahoe. For details call (800) 565-2704.

Fourth of July at North Lake Tahoe - Celebrate Independence Day Weekend at the Lake! July 3rd the community of Kings Beach holds a deck party followed by an early fireworks display. On the night of the 4th, bring a picnic to Commons Beach in Tahoe City and watch the fireworks display reflecting on the lake. Or, make your way over to Squaw Valley and watch their annual show at the base of the mountain. Call for more information: Kings Beach (530) 546-9000, Tahoe City (530) 583-3494, Squaw Valley (530) 583-6985.

Lake Tahoe Music Festival - From mid-July to early August a series of concerts moves from works by classical composers through jazz, bluegrass, and Broadway show tunes. Where: Tahoe City, Truckee, the West Shore. All venues are outdoors. Experience a cool, North Lake Tahoe evening picnic with accompanying classical music. Call (530) 583-3101 for more festival information.

July 26, 2008: Lake of the Sky Garden Club 20th annual Garden Tour.View ten private gardens, including six lakefronts. Easy access,level and flat walking. Two groupings of three gardens, park once, view all three. Complimentary refreshments. Local artists on site creating original works. 10a.m.- 4p.m. Lake Tahoe North Shore. Tickets- $20.00.

For tickets send check/money order to Lake of the Sky Garden Club PO Box 1827 Tahoe City, CA 96145-1827.

Tickets may be purchased at local Tahoe/Truckee nurseries after July 1st.

Contacts: Anne- annechartier@marykay.com 530-546-4902 or Barbara- 530-583-3011 P0Box 7676 Tahoe City,CA 96145-7676

FALL

The Eggplant Festival...that’s right, eggplants! For more than 20 years the Annual Loomis Eggplant Festival has been one of the best family-oriented events in Northern California! Held in October of each year at the Loomis Station Plaza, this festival features arts, crafts, contests, and food. Vendors will be offering everything from pizza, eggplant parmesan, eggplant pakora, seafood, hamburgers, hot dogs, BBQ dishes, snacks and cold beverages for every taste! Free admission, parking and day-long entertainment! For more information call 916-652-7252.

Auburn Community Festival - In October of each year this free festival offers family fun and prizes for winners of scarecrow, giant pumpkin, costume and recipe contests. Live music, arts and crafts booths showcasing local artisans make for an interesting day, plus a costume contest and parade for youngsters and older-sters. Carnival games, pony rides, and food. Auburn’s own Sugar Plump Fairies are out in friendly force. The festival takes place in a park, so bring a chair if you want to. For more information call (530) 885-5616

Mountain Mandarin Festival - This late November two-day celebration honors the start of the Holiday mandarin harvest in Placer County. Held at the Gold Country Fairgrounds in Auburn, admission is free. Warm days and colder nights put the blush on this special fruit just in time for the Mandarin Festival. This event attracts 30,000 visitors who savor the juicy fruit, available only from late November through January. Vendors offer a multitude of foods enhanced with mandarin oranges including beverages, salads, pulled pork and BBQ sauce, ice-creams, glazed nuts, chocolate-dipped mandarins, fudge, jams, jellies, olive oils, marinades and syrups. For more information call (916) 663-1918.