Gold Rush Days in Old Sacramento are here this Labor Day weekend!  Sacramento’s 11th annual heritage celebration means more than 200 tons of dirt will be dumped on the streets of Old Sacramento as the annual festival “turns back the clock,” transforming Sacramento’s historic district into a scene straight out of the 1850s. Costumed re-enactors, Wild West gun fights, musicians playing period instruments, and many aspects of life during the Gold Rush will be highlighted during the four-day event.  There will be Dancing, Street Dramas, Pony & Wagon Rides, Gold Panning, Period Artifacts, Storytelling, Craft Making, Embarcadero Tent City, Ethnic Village, Period Musicians, Horse-Drawn Carriages & much more!

You can also stop by the Sacramento History Museum to mine for gold.  Visit the TrailMix.Net store’s blog by clicking here for more info on how kids can turn the gold into prizes!

Admission to Gold Rush Days is FREE and hours are as follows:

* Friday, September 3, 9am - 4 pm
* Saturday, September 4, 11am - 7pm
* Sunday, September 5, 11am - 7pm
* Monday, September 6, 11am - 4pm

Although the event is free, remember to bring money for parking.  The Old Sacramento Garage (2nd & I) and The Tower Bridge Garage (Front & Capitol Mall) will have a special event flat rate parking fee of $8.00.

For more information, call (916) 808-7777 or click here for the event website.  You can see a complete schedule of each day’s Live Music, Shoot-outs and Old-West Theatrics.

Fri, August 6th - Sun, August 8th

1. Watch FLICKA 2 under the stars at Gibson Ranch.
2. Take a GUIDED NATURE WALK at the gorgeous Cosumnes River Preserve.
3. Make a SCHOOL BUS PENCIL ORGANIZER at the Home Depot Kid’s Workshop.
4. Learn about the sun with fun activities at Discovery Museum’s SUN AND FUN.
5. Make PEAR ICECREAM at the Courtland Library.
6. Play games and earn prizes at Arden Mall’s ROCKIN’ WALK WITH RADIO DISNEY.
7. Learn how to make beautiful ORIGAMI crafts at the Franklin Library.
8. Check out the inside of cool planes at the Aerospace Museum’s OPEN COCKPITS.
9. Enjoy historical STREET THEATRE in Old Sacramento.
10. Pet the cute BARN ANIMALS and ride the STEAM TRAIN at Hagan Park.

*Please note that details about each event are available on the ‘Upcoming Events’ calendar.

Happy Friday!

Have you been to the TrailMix.Net store in Old Sacramento yet?  If not, add this to your summer to-do list!  I am kicking myself that we have not gotten over there sooner.  My kids and I were in awe of all they have to offer…and instantly in love!  Mike & Sara Barlow opened it about a year ago and this store is more than just a store.  TrailMix.Net “helps parents create family outdoor learning and adventure experiences” with their outdoor gear, educational toys and all the nature resources you need.  If you are already an outdoorsy family, then this is where you will find all of things you need to enhance your experiences with your kids.  If you are not already outdoorsy, then this is where you will be inspired!

While wandering the store we found Animal Watching With Kids, Backyard Safari Gear, Hiking With Kids, Geocaching With Kids, Birding With Kids, Gardening With Kids, Astronomy, and more.  So once you pick a type of outdoor adventure…you’ve got the gear, the maps, and the books all in one place.  To top it off, you have friendly owners that are more than happy to provide the information you need.  I’ve been wondering for a long time where the best hikes are and where the best spots on the river for kids are.  Mike helped me out with that and so I’ll share our adventures in the near future.  On the TrailMix.Net blog, you can download a FREE e-book called Educational Expeditions that helps you plan your outdoor adventures with kids.  I’m telling you, they are a plethora of information!

Besides offering awesome products, they have an activity center which really turns the store into an outing destination.  Their Activity Menu has craft projects for kids of ALL AGES that start at just $2.00.  You can have fun with a 15 minute Paint-A-Critter like we did or you can spend more time and do something like building a birdhouse or painting a fossil necklace.  My kids loved picking out their critter, painting, gluing eyes on and then being able to take their creation home.

TrailMix.Net also holds FREE workshops for parents and children each month.  Click here for their calendar.  This Saturday Culture2Classroom is presenting Before Sacramento, Life for the Nisenan Maidu.  Along with learning about the Southern Maidu tribal group, kids will have the opportunity to make a craft with a Native theme.

Check it out and gear up for some incredible adventures with your kids!

TrailMix.Net
116B I Street
Sacramento, CA  95814
888-95-TRAIL
Open daily: 9:30am - 5:30pm

*Located right across from the California State Railroad Museum.
*Parking validation provided with minimal purchase.

It’s time to kick off the summer and spend some quality time with the family.  If you find yourself searching for things to do in between the BBQ’s, there are plenty of things going on in Sacramento!  Due to the variety of weather it looks like we’ll be having, I’ve included both indoor and outdoor activities.  Most of these ideas are FREE or very affordable.

1.  See animals, shows and eat treats at the SACRAMENTO COUNTY FAIR.
2.  Dance to the music and get your face painted at the SACRAMENTO JAZZ FESTIVAL .
3.  While in Old Sac for the Jazz Festival, create an art project at the TRAILMIX.NET STORE.
4.  Splash and play in the water while picnicing at a SPRAYGROUND.
5.  Learn about agriculture in a fun way at the FARMS, FRIENDS, AND FAIRYTALES event at Fairytale Town.
6.  Laugh it up at SHREK FOREVER AFTER IN 3D at the IMAX.
7.  Hike at the COSUMNES RIVER PRESERVE or the EFFIE YEAW NATURE CENTER.
8.  Create a T-rex craft and learn about them at the DISCOVERY MUSEUM.
9.  Visit the animals and be entertained at FOLSOM ZOO’S FREE FAMILY DAY.
10. Enjoy creative performances from different cultures at the INTERNATIONAL KID’S FESTIVAL in William Land Park.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Sat, May 22nd & Sun, May 23rd

1. BOUNCE together at Bounce Spot’s Family Night tonight.
2. Create a DINO DIORAMA at the Discovery Museum.
3. Enjoy STORYTIME at Barnes & Noble book store.
4. Attend the theatre for Runaway Stage Production’s KING ARTHUR.
5. Spend a DAY ON THE FARM at the American River Ranch.
6. See THE PRINCESS AND THE PAUPER at the Chautaqua Playhouse.
7. Giggle at THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF Puppet Show at Fairytale Town.
8. Ride a pony at Elk Grove’s SPRING FESTIVAL and Chili Cook-off.
9. Meet ANIMALS from 5 continents at the Rancho Cordova Library.
10.Celebrate the Asian Pacific Island culture with food and entertainment at the PACIFIC RIM STREET FESTIVAL.

Saturday, May 1st & Sunday, May 2nd

1. See crazy experiments by the SCIENCE WIZARD at Arden Fair Mall’s Kids Club.
2. Make CARDS & CRAFTS FOR MOTHER’S DAY at the Central Library.
3. FEED THE DUCKS AND PLAY at McKinley Park.
4. Build a PICKET FENCE PLANTER at the Home Depot Kids Workshop.
5. Enjoy JAZZ IN THE PARK and children’s activities in Cabrillo Park.
6. Watch the HANSEL AND GRETEL PUPPET SHOW at Fairytale Town.
7. Build and LAUNCH YOUR OWN ROCKET at the Discovery Museum.
8. Have some zany fun at Civic Theatre West’s FAIRYTALE SURVIVOR.
9. Delight in a whole day of activities, music and dance at The Sacramento Zoo’s CALIFORNIA CELEBRATION.
10. Experience BEAUTY AND THE BEAST at the B Street Theatre.

We love St. Patty’s Day!  Yes, we happen to have some Irish heritage (which you may have already guessed from all the red hair and freckles in my posts!) but it is just a fun holiday for everybody.  We start off the day with green pancakes, pick out our favorite green clothes and enjoy Old Sacramento’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade.

This year, the 14th Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade & Festival will be held a little early on Saturday, March 13th.  They have changed the date, time and parade route this year…so even if you’ve gone before you’ll want to check out the details.

My family loves this event!  We bring snacks and have a great old time watching the parade go by!  The kids dance to the music and giggle at all spectators that have dyed their hair green.  Here are some pictures from the 2008 parade.  (We were sad to miss last year’s.)

There will be Tartan-clad Highlanders, bagpipers, Irish dancers, school bands, military regiments, police and fire representatives, costumed marchers and many other cultural organizations.

There’s plenty to see and do before and after the parade, as the streets of Old Sacramento come alive in a family-friendly event appropriate for all ages.  Live Irish-themed music, Celtic dancers in elaborate costumes, and the wildly popular Ophir Prison Marching and Kazoo Band, will all perform. During the evening many restaurants feature Irish menus or specialties.

The Celtic festival in Waterfront Park (1000 Front Street) will be from noon - 6pm and the parade steps off from a new location (2nd and L Street) promptly at 1pm and proceeds throughout the district.  Click here for more info.

This event is FREE but be prepared for a flat parking fee in Old Sacramento’s garages.  It is cash only and usually runs between $10 - $12.00 for special events.

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

Looks like this weekend we’ll need to find our fun indoors!  Here are three great events you may want to check out with the kids…

Prehistoric Fish Prints

Did you know that fish have been around even longer than dinosaurs? Learn about these prehistoric creatures, touch real fish fossils and make a fish print poster to take home.

Where: Discovery Museum Science and Space Center, 3615 Auburn Blvd, Sacramento

When: Saturday, March 6th and Sunday, March 7th; 12:30 - 3pm

Cost: Free with admission: $6 adults, $4 children (4-12), free for age 3 and younger

Info: www.thediscovery.org or 575-3942

Seed Planting Workshop – Flowers

The first seed planting workshop was a huge success!  Come in and pick up your own soil, seed containers, and seeds. Kids get to decorate the containers, and learn how to plant and care for their seedlings.  This is sponsored by Green Acres Nursery of Roseville and Sacramento.

Where: Trailmix.Net - Family Adventure Products in Old Sacramento
116B I Street, Sacramento

When: Saturday, March 6; 1:00-3:00pm
(activity can be done any time between these hours)

Cost: FREE!

Info: www.trailmix.net, facebook.trailmix.net or 888-95-TRAIL

Family Concert with the Camellia Symphony Orchestra

Bring the family to a free concert with the Camellia Symphony Orchestra.  Instrument Petting Zoo at  1 p.m. in the West Meeting Room.  Enjoy a pre-concert program.  See various musical instruments and meet musician ‘zoo keepers’ as they demonstrate how many instruments are played.  Concert at 2 p.m. in the Library Galleria.  The Camellia Symphony Orchestra will present a free concert designed to introduce children and their families to live classical music. The orchestra will be under the direction of guest conductor, Michael Goodwin and features guest artist soprano, Carley Neill.

Where: Central Library, 828 I Street, Sacramento

When: Sunday, March 7th; 1:00 - 3:00pm

Cost: FREE!  (and free parking downtown on Sundays)

Info: www.saclibrary.org or 264-2700

If you’d like more ideas for places to go with your kids in Sacramento that are indoors, check out my INDOOR page here.

It’s here!  One of the most fun days of the year in Sacramento!  This Saturday, February 6th is Sacramento’s 12th Annual Free Museum Day.  The museums will all be open from 10 am to 5pm (last admission at 4pm).

Take advantage and visit museums you’ve never been to or revisit your favorites!

Here’s a list of all of the participating museums:

Aerospace Museum of California
California Automobile Museum
California Foundry History Museum
California State Military Museum
California State Capitol Museum
The California Museum
California State Indian Museum
California State Railroad Museum
Crocker Art Museum
Discovery Museum Science and Space Center
Explorit Science Center (Davis)
Fairytale Town
Folsom History Museum
Governor’s Mansion State Historic Park
Heidrick Ag History Center (Woodland)
Leland Stanford Mansion State Historic Park
Museum of Medical History
Old Sacramento Schoolhouse Museum
Old Sacramento State Historic Park
Sacramento Zoo
Sacramento Historic City Cemetery
Sacramento History Museum
Sojourner Truth Multicultural Arts Museum
Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park
Wells Fargo History Museum (Old Sacramento and Downtown locations)

Click here for more details and tips from the Sacramento Museum Guide.

The annual New Year’s Eve Sky Spectacular will end the year with a bang in Old Sacramento on December 31.  If you are looking for a way to celebrate with the whole family, this is the way to go!

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