Enjoy Early Days and Fathers
by Denise Cauthen-Wright

Need a new idea to make your Dad feel extra special during Father’s Day weekend? On Saturday, June 14, from 11 am to 4 pm celebrate your Dad while enjoying the “Early Days” at the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. The Plaza History Association and San Juan Bautista State Historic Park sponsor this annual fun event. Bring the whole family to take a look at yesterday as period-costumed docents bring the past to life. You’ll get to meet the people of early California including miners, mountain men, Civil War soldiers, and lovely Victorian ladies who will be performing many craft and cooking demonstrations in various areas of the park. Some things you might see are campfire cooking, horseshoe making or woodworking. The historic saloon will be open where you and the kids can drink an old-fashioned soda or play some cards. Yes, kids of any age can go into this saloon!
Horse drawn wagon rides around the park and winding through the town are new and sure to be popular this year. A tour of the historic buildings costs adults $2, sixteen and under are free. Wagon rides and sodas are additional.
Especially for the kids, there will be the Children’s Discovery Book for $2. Children will visit various stations speaking with the volunteers and earning stickers. When the booklet is filled with stickers, they get their last sticker in the saloon and receive a soda as a prize! For more information on this event, contact Nikki Combs at 831.623.2753. Parking is free.
The Grand Victorian Ball will be held later that night in the newly renovated Community Center from 7-11:30pm and includes a delicious dessert buffet. Tickets are $40 before May 31. After that, they are $50. For more information, call 831.902.0728.
For further information on events or a list of businesses and restaurants, visit www.sjbchamber.com/ or call 831-623-2454.

June Events
June 8 - “Music at the Mission” presented by South Valley Symphony. 4:00pm to 5:30pm. A Full symphony performing such great music as Copland’s Fanfare for the Common Man, Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony and more at the Mission San Juan Bautista. Tickets are available at the door or online at www.southvalleysymphony.org or you can order by phone at 831-623-4062.

June 14 - The San Juan Bautista Gallery Walk 1pm to 7pm. Spend the afternoon browsing from gallery to gallery as you stroll down the lovely streets of San Juan. Stop in for lunch or coffee from time to time and make a day of it.

June 14 - Victorian Ball 7pm to 11pm at the San Juan Bautista Historical Park. There will be live music, dancing in period costume and refreshments. Advance tickets are $40 for pre-register or you may purchase them at the door for $50. 831 623-4526 or 831 623-4881.

June 14 - State Historical Park Early Days. Plaza Lawn and surrounding historic buildings. 2nd & Washington Sts. Free. 11am to 4pm. Tours are $2 per adult. Ages 16 and under free. 831 623-4881.

June 15 - Evening Dinner Jazz Show at San Juan Oaks Golf Club featuring the Kyle Eastwood Jazz Group. For more information, call 831 636-6118 or visit www.sanjuanoaks.com.

June 21 - Los Padrinos Custom Car and Motorcycle Show 9am - 6pm. For more information contact Sam or Isabella at La Cantina, 831-623-4525

Gavilan College S.T.A.R. Summer Musical
The Summer Theatre Arts Repertory summer camp through Gavilan College has a San Juan Bautista branch this is open to ages 10 to 17. This year SJB S.T.A.R. will do a special adaptation of William Shakespeare's The Tempest. Camp starts on July 22 and continues Monday thru Friday, 9am to 4pm through August 12 at El Teatro Campesino Playhouse.
Young actors are guided through rehearsal and scene study of a challenging classical play for performance on the last two days of the session. The actors participate in theatre and performing arts exercises and workshops focusing on physical movement, vocal exercises, and the creation of a performance ensemble.
Performances are scheduled for August 11 and 12. Go online to register at www.gavilan.edu/star/reg.html or call Gavilan College at 408-612-2057 or you can send an email request to stargav@gavilan.edu.

~ For more information on all 2008 events in San Juan Bautista,
please visit www.sjbchamber.com or call 831.623.2454.