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Top Local Places To Spend Your Memorial Day Weekend

This article is sponsored by Northern California Honda Dealers.

Celebrations will be in full swing within an easy drive into Sacramento proper or scenic drives to its outskirts this Memorial Day Weekend. This year's Memorial Day occurs Monday, May 25, and so events for the weekend begin Friday on May 22.

Sacramento Music Festival Downtown

When: Friday, May 22 - Monday, May 25
Where: Old Sacramento

Friday, May 22 kicks off the Memorial Day weekend downtown with an exciting line up of 100 bands for the Sacramento Music Festival, which runs through Memorial Day on Monday. This fun-filled fest is sponsored by the Sacramento Traditional Jazz Society, which has sponsored the event every Memorial Day Weekend since 1974. Drive up early to catch a great breakfast at the many downtown restaurants check out the delicious food and vendor booths.

Fair Oaks Civil War Celebration 

When: Saturday, May 23
Where: Fair Oaks

Memorial Day Weekend in Fair Oaks will be very special this year thanks to the Fair Oaks Civil War Celebration. There will be a re-enactment of President Abraham Lincoln reading the Gettysburg Address at this special district's Civil War Celebration. Congressman Ami Bera and State Assemblyman Ken Cooley will be in attendance presenting honors to our local veteran heroes, of whom six are from the Civil War. Among these heroes is one confederate soldier in an unmarked grave that will now finally have a headstone, thanks to the Veterans Association and the thoughtfulness of Fair Oak's Ray Young.

The Origins of Sacramento Food History Walking Tour & First Festival

When: Saturday, May 23 from noon - 10 p.m.
Where: Midtown Sacramento

From Fair Oaks, it's worth the drive west into Mid-town for the Origins of Sacramento Food History Walking Tour through Midtown Sacramento's Fort Sutter District – a fort showcased in all of America's history text books. Or, stay on HWY 50 to take the same tour through east Sacramento's Fabulous Forties neighborhood, allowing you to catch the First Festival featuring yet more music to complement that of the festivities in downtown proper.

Clarksburg for Picnics, Award Winning Wine Tasting and the Old Sugar Mill

Where: Clarksburg

Want to stretch out to the countryside? Travel along the Sacramento River south along Hwy160 to Clarksburg for picnics and award winning wine tasting. Yes, there is a Clarksburg, California, and it is only 18 minutes away from downtown. The unincorporated town sports itself as a wine district that proudly showcases the Old Sugar Mill's rich history, 11 wineries and good times all in one location.

Art- Where the Wild Things Are: Gala and Art Auction 

Date: Saturday, May 30 from 5-8 p.m.
Where: Carmichael

Should you decide to travel east of the metropolitan district for a more tranquil outing, you will enjoy Art- Where the Wild Things Are: Gala and Art Auction at the Effie Yeaw Nature Center in  Carmichael. The event is presented by the American River Natural History Association (ARHNA). The Effie Yeaw Nature preserve is known for its exquisite educational exhibits and a number of indigenous animals, with nature trails for sauntering along the beautiful American River Parkway.

 

Karen Hansen M.S. Earth Sciences, has been writing about earth and the environmental sciences for Examiner.com since May of 2010 in addition to having been an educator and consultant who has facilitated over 200 courses for a private university. Karen loves to learn and write about clean disruptive technology and policies and the people on the planet too. She lives and works in Sacramento, CA. You can find her work at SF Solar Energy Examiner, SF Environmental News Examiner and Environmental News Examiner 

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