ON-GOING EVENTS IN SONORA:
Open Air Market - Sonora: Browse for treasures every weekend from 9am-5pm, at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds in Sonora. Free. Tel: (209) 586-7888
Sonora's Certified Farmer's Market: Starts May 17th and will be held every Saturday until Oct. 18th. Enjoy farm fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, flowers, breads and coffees, & specialty jams, jellies and pastries, plus Artisans of all kinds. Located at the parking lot on Stewart Street.  Info: (209) 532-7725

SPECIAL EVENTS IN SONORA:

MAY 2008:
May 1-18: Stage 3 "Steel Magnolias": Both wisecracking and wise, this group of ladies in a small-town beauty parlor take Stage 3 by storm in a play that is alternately hilarious and touching - and, in the end, deeply revealing of the strength and purposefulness which underlies the banter of its characters. Info: (209) 536-1778
May 3: Cinco De Mayo Fiesta: Mexican dinner, Mariachi music, prize drawings, auctions, children's activities. The proceeds will go to Interfaith Community Social Services and Vietnam Veterans Community Services. Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Info: (209)984-0888
May 4: St. James Concert Series ‘St. Petersburg Men's Ensemble’: Info: (209) 984-0704 May 10 – 11: 51^st Annual Mother Lode Round-Up Parade & Rodeo: One of the Largest Parades in California. Every year more than 350 of pro rodeo’s finest cowboys and cowgirls are attracted to two days of the Mother Lode Round-Up Rodeo event. Info: (209) 928-9318 May 17 - Oct 18: Sonora's Certified Farmer's Market: Starts May 17th and will be held every Saturday until Oct. 18th. Enjoy farm fresh fruits and vegetables, plants, flowers, breads and coffees, & specialty jams, jellies and pastries, plus Artisans of all kinds. Located at the parking lot on Stewart Street.  Info: (209) 532-7725
May 24: Plant, Rummage and Bake Sale: Tuolumne County Garden Club fundraiser to support annual scholarships and community projects. Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Info: (209) 965-4269

JUNE 2008:
June 7: 14^th Annual Sierra Hope Ride: Police assisted/non-stop ride from central Modesto through the historic and scenic foothills of Sierra Gold Country, culminating in Sonora at the rustic Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Concert, barbecue, auction at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Proceeds to benefit Muscular Dystrophy Association.. Info: (209) 984-4888
June 20 – July 20: Stage 3 "Doubt: A Parable": There is no 'Doubt' about this important work's credentials. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Obie and Tony Awards and was voted Best Play by the New York Drama Critics' Circle. From the author of "Moonstruck', this quiet and deceptively simple story of two nuns and a priest gathers a dramatic force that has audiences gasping. Info: (209) 536-1778
June 26-29: Mother Lode Fair: Attended by over 275,000 people. 4-Hers and exhibitors, entertainment, concerts, food, music and a carnival mid-way contribute to this annual event. Held at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds, Sonora CA. Tel: (209) 532-7428

JULY 2008:
July 1-20: Stage 3 "Doubt: A Parable": There is no 'Doubt' about this important work's credentials. It won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Obie and Tony Awards and was voted Best Play by the New York Drama Critics' Circle. From the author of "Moonstruck', this quiet and deceptively simple story of two nuns and a priest gathers a dramatic force that has audiences gasping. Info: (209) 536-1778
July 26-Aug. 10: 40^th Annual Bear Valley Music Festival: Features a full symphony orchestra, international soloists, legendary entertainers, and renowned opera stars in a unique mountain setting. The Festival offers an outdoor musical experience while under the shade of a large 1250 seat tent. Hwy. 4, Bear Valley, CA  95223. Tel: (209) 753-2574 or (800) 458-1618

AUGUST 2008:
Aug. 8: "Magic Of The Night" Summertime Celebration: Live music, street dancing, special sales from merchants, and food. Free to the public. Presented by the City of Sonora, held on Historic Downtown Sonora, CA. Tel: (209) 532-7725
Aug 9, 2008: 14^th Annual Sonora Blues Festival: Features national headliners in the field of blues music at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds, presented by Fire on the Mountain. Concerts, workshops, micro brews, kids craft area, vendor and craft booths, festival t-shirts. Bring low-back chairs, spray bottle, suncreen and dancin' shoes. Air-conditioned buildings and water-misting tents. Tel: (209) 533-3473

SEPTEMBER 2008:
Sept. 12 – Oct. 12: Stage 3 "Driving Miss Daisy": Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Play, Stage 3 presents this lovely tale of acceptance, tolerance and respect. Tel: (209) 536-1778
Sept. 21: With This Ring Bridal Show: Mother Lode Fairgrounds, Sonora, CA. Tel: (209) 966-3890
Sept. 27: Sierra Apple Festival: Music, "old fashioned" children's games, apple popover eating contest, crafts and food, live entertainment, popular hay maze for children, a special luncheon, live historical characters, cider press demos and more! Mother Lode Fairgrounds. Info: (209) 532-1607

OCTOBER 2008:
Oct. 1-12: Stage 3 "Driving Miss Daisy": Winner of the Pulitzer Prize and the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Off-Broadway Play, Stage 3 presents this lovely tale of acceptance, tolerance and respect. Tel: (209) 536-1778
Oct. 5 – 12: 32^nd Annual Sonora Bach Festival: Concerts, recitals and musical events at various locations. Info: (209) 536-6330
Oct. 11: Holiday Fashion Show & Luncheon: Held at he Sonora Elks Club presented by Omega Nu. Benefits women & children in need, and provides scholarships. Info: (209) 533-1550
Oct. 11: Trivia Bee: Fundraiser for Friends of the Tuolumne County Library. We solicit sponsors, provide raffle baskets, teams sign up from assorted businesses around town and they vie for the answers to the questions. This event gets quite lively with the audience cheering on the various teams. Not unlike some of the game shows on TV, it is quite popular. Info: (209) 533-5507
Oct. 23 - 31: Hi 4-H Haunted House: Info: (209) 533-6990
Oct. 24 - 26: 56^th Annual Mother Lode Art Association Exhibit: Judged fine art show displaying works in all media by local and regional artists. Info: (209) 586-9663
Oct. 27: "Soup for the Soul": Soup tasting with art display, live music and silent auction. Proceeds benefit Mentoring program of the Amador-Tuolumne Community Action Agency. Info: (209) 533-1397, x229

NOVEMBER 2008:
Nov. 8: Dance the Night Away ‘Caribbean Cruise Dinner & Dance’: 8th annual fundraising dinner and dance for the Historic Sonora Chamber of Commerce. Take an "ocean cruise" filled with wonderful food, great entertainment, music and fabulous prizes. Info: (209) 532-3421
Nov. 20: Preview Performance "A Thousand Clowns" Fundraiser: Features
hor d'eourves before the performance, heavenly desserts at intermission. Wine and coffee. Fall fundraiser for Soroptimists International of Sonora. Info: (209) 928-1577
Nov. 21 – Dec. 21: Stage 3 "A Thousand Clowns": An offbeat comedy about love, family and hope featuring one of the funniest non-conformists of the stage. Info: (209) 536-1778
Nov. 28: 25^th Annual Historic Downtown Sonora Christmas Parade: Floats, bands, Mr. & Mrs. Claus, store specials and food, all at night with visual & audio delights. Info: (209) 532-7725
Nov. 28 - 29: 16^th Annual Hometown Crafters Holiday Faire & Craft Boutique: A variety of crafts and homemade goodies will be available for Christmas shoppers in a festive holiday atmosphere. Held at the Sonora Opera Hall. Info: (209) 532-7252
Nov. 28 - 30: 34^th Annual Christmas Craft & Music Festival: This highly regarded festival features over 200 great quality craft artists, up tempo and varied music, street performers, costumed elves and twinkle trees, carolers, a wide selection of home-cooking style festival kitchens and bake shops, all in festive, brightly colored craft halls. The "Spirit of Christmas" is definitely present here! Info: (209) 533-3473

DECEMBER 2008:
Dec. 1-21: Stage 3 "A Thousand Clowns": An offbeat comedy about love, family and hope featuring one of the funniest non-conformists of the stage. Info: (209) 536-1778
Dec. 6: Christmas Boutique: Sonora Senior Lounge. Info: (209) 521-7890
Dec. 19: Pop Hudson Memorial Christmas Sing: A fun community sing sponsored by the Union Democrat at the Courthouse Park at Noon.  Info: (209 ) 532-7151