This Weekend in Santa Cruz: Sep. 16th-18th, 2016

By Christine Candelaria

There’s something fun to do all over Santa Cruz County this weekend, from Scotts Valley to Happy Valley, Felton to Watsonville, and lots of places in between.

We love the sheer variety of events enticing us to get out and volunteer, support local causes and organizations, and try new things: a bicycle scavenger race, anyone?

Or maybe we’ll see you at the County Fair…we’ll be the ones cheering loudly for those cute racing pigs. Have a good one!

See our picks for the top events each day this weekend:

Friday

Santa Cruz Follies

When: Wednesday, 9/14 through Saturday, 9/17
Where: Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
Cost: $20

Come see an original variety show and musical review featuring local performers who are all over 50 years young. This year’s production celebrates Frank Sinatra’s 100th birthday, and as always, benefits the nonprofit organization Senior Citizen Opportunities.

Get more info here.

Lightning Talks: Made in Santa Cruz

When: Friday, 9/16 from 6:00 PM – 8:30 PM
Where: Museum of Art & History
Cost: $5 General, $3 Students, Seniors and Kids, FREE for MAH Members and Children under 4

Boring is not an option at the MAH’s Lightning Talks series. Arrive early for a seat and listen to some lightning fast talks—that’s 5 minutes each—on the theme of “Made in Santa Cruz.”

Get more info here.

Watsonville Art Walk Celebration: Habalamos Juntos/Together We Speak

When: Friday, 9/16 from 4:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Where: Downtown Watsonville
Cost: Free

Be a part of the first Watsonville Art Walk happening in downtown Watsonville through November 3, 2016. This free self-guided art tour features contemporary Latino art coupled with writings by local Watsonville teens. Meet the artists at this Friday’s community reception at Pajaro Valley Arts.

Get more info here.

Movies at the Beach: Minions

When: Friday, 9/16 at dusk
Where: Capitola Village
Cost: Free

Invite your family and friends to experience our version of a drive-in movie, free popcorn included. Bring your blankets, beach chairs, and flashlights and enjoy a showing of Minions on the beach.

Get more info here.

Scotts Valley Food Truck Friday

When: Friday, 9/16 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM
Where: Skypark
Cost: Free admission

Food Truck Friday returns to Skypark with lots of food trucks and lots of fun! Enjoy a delicious beverage from the beer and wine garden and some of the best eats our local food trucks have to offer, including Aunt Lali’s, Ate3One, Zameen Cuisine, Holopono, Saucey’z and more.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz County Fair

When: 9/14 – 9/18
Where: Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds in Watsonville
Cost: $12 Adults, $11 Seniors, $6 ages 6-12, Free ages 5 and under; Parking $5

The Santa Cruz County Fair is back, bringing with it our favorite racing pigs and stampeding turkeys, carnival rides and games, and decadent deep-fried treats. The weekend entertainment lineup includes Great White on Friday, James Durbin on Saturday, and Industria del Amor on Sunday.

Get more info here.

Also on Friday

Want to see all the best events in Santa Cruz every weekend? Click here to get these Weekend Roundup posts delivered straight to your inbox.

Saturday

East-to-West Scavenger Race

When: Check-in: 2:00-3:00 PM, Race: 3:00-6:00 PM, Prizes: 6:00-7:00 PM
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: $35

Get your team together and pump air in your bike tires for this scavenger race through Santa Cruz. Win prizes by completing physical and mental challenges along the way and finish with a celebration at The Food Lounge. All proceeds benefit the Raechel and Jackie Foundation in the effort to educate youth in Central America.

Get more info here.

O’Neill Sea Odyssey’s 20th Anniversary

When: Saturday, 9/17 from 6:00 PM – 10:00 PM
Where: Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab
Cost: $75

Riding a 65-foot catamaran into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary is probably the most memorable field trip ever for 4th to 6th grade students. Help O’neill Sea Odyssey celebrate 20 years of hands-on science and environmental education at this elegant evening of hors d’oeuvres, wine, music, and auction.

Get more info here.

Save our Shores Annual Coastal Cleanup

When: Saturday, 9/17 from 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Where: multiple locations
Cost: Free

Annual Coastal Cleanup Day is here and your help is needed to make it a success. Choose from over 40 Santa Cruz County beach, river, and inland cleanup sites and help restore the beauty of the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival

When: Saturday, 9/17 & Sunday, 9/18
Where: Roaring Camp Meadows
Cost: One day tickets: $65 adult / $25 youth. Two day pass: $115

Head to Felton for a 2-day music festival in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains. George Clinton & Parliament/Funkadelic, G Love & Special Sauce, Sheila E., and Ozomatli are a few of the performers ready to rock the crowd. Weekend and single-day passes available, as well as discounted youth tickets.

Get more info here.

Earthdance Santa Cruz Festival

When: Saturday, 9/17 from 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Where: San Lorenzo Park
Cost: $20 recommended donation

The Santa Cruz Earthdance Festival brings together community activists, musicians, artists, yoginis, dancers, and non-profit organizations who share a vision for peace. Event highlights include a community peace mandala and prayer for peace meditation.

Get more info here.

Scotts Valley Running Festival

When: 9/17 and 9/18
Where: Scotts Valley High School
Cost: $20 – $55

The first annual Scotts Valley Running Festival features a run-a-thon and Event Expo on Saturday, and 12k, 5k, and 1k runs on Sunday. Come out and support this fundraiser which goes toward a new track and field and stadium for Scotts Valley High School.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Follies

See Description Under Friday Section

Santa Cruz County Fair

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Saturday

Keep up with us all weekend long, and see which events we’re attending, by following Santa Cruz Life on Instagram.

Sunday

Sea Otter Awareness Week

When: Sunday, 9/18 through Saturday 9/24
Where: Seymour Center at Long Marine Lab
Cost: Admission: $6-$8

Sea otters are cute but they also play a vital role in the nearshore ecosystem. Expand your knowledge with interactive learning stations and arts ’n’ crafts celebrating these lovable marine mammals throughout Sea Otter Awareness Week.

Get more info here.

Happy Valley Music Fest

When: Sunday, 9/18 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm
Where: Happy Valley Elementary School field
Cost: $10 Adults, $5 ages 12 and under

All are welcome to Happy Valley School’s first ever Music Fest! Enjoy fun and funky tunes from the Baddads, rockin’ new grass folk from The Swirly Girls, and special guest, critically acclaimed Nashville performing artist and singer-songwriter Brigitte DeMeyer. Kid activities and food for purchase are available, but you are also welcome to bring your own picnic and blanket.

Get more info here.

Santa Cruz Mountain Sol Festival

See Description Under Saturday Section

Scotts Valley Running Festival

See Description Under Saturday Section

Santa Cruz County Fair

See Description Under Friday Section

Also on Sunday

Featured Upcoming Event

What: A Community Pie Potluck
Where: The Farm, Shaffer Rd. at Delaware Ave.
When: Saturday, September 24 from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
Cost: $5 donation

You had us at pie. We’re marking our calendars for this community pie potluck benefitting the Homeless Garden Project. In true Santa Cruz fashion, bring a sweet or savory vegetarian pie to share along with your own plate, fork, spoon, napkin, and mug. Those who lack time or baking skills are welcome to attend and donate an extra buck or two.

Get more info here.

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Christine Candelaria

Christine Candelaria is a local mom of four who enjoys sharing her Santa Cruz adventures. You can follow her #santacruzlife on Instagram at @theaumsmama.

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