2003 COMMUNITY EVENTS CALENDAR

JANUARY

January 20 -- Martin Luther King Jr. Expo & Job Fair
This event celebrates the life of Martin Luther King Jr. through education, music and theatre demonstrations. A resource exposition and job fair is an important aspect of this celebration. Attendees can visit with more than 40 organizations regarding employment, volunteer opportunities, and financial resources. The MLK, Jr. Expo and Job Fair is at the Florin Mall Shopping Center.

January 28 -- Elk Grove "Meet The Bee" Forum
This is a forum open to the public in which the community is invited to meet with The Bee’s executive management, editors and reporters to ask their questions and tell The Bee what they think. The Elk Grove Forum will be held at the Elk Grove City Hall.

January 31 -- ASNE Diversity Job Fair
This is an outstanding opportunity for you to meet recruiters from national and regional newspapers in face-to-face interviews. Explore the many professional career opportunities and internships available.

January 31 - February 2 -- Home and Landscape Show
The Northern California Home & Landscape Expo is a comprehensive event. It showcases everything you could want for your home and garden. Cal Expo.

FEBRUARY

February 1 -- Chinese New Year Festival
This one-day event takes place in the CSUS Student Union. It is facilitated by 10 local Chinese organizations and includes various children activities, cultural performances, and exhibitors.

February 14 - 16 -- Mardi Gras
In its 7th year, this annual event features more than 24 bands, seven different venues and a large crowd of jazz fans to keep the party going all weekend long. Old Sacramento.

February 21 -- The Biggest Singles Event
Mix and mingle with the area’s most eligible bachelors and bachelorettes - including those featured in the February issue of Sacramento Magazine - at The Biggest Singles Event in Northern California. Events will include live music and dancing, complimentary hors d'oeuvres, great prizes and surprises. Radisson Hotel.

February 24 -- Roseville "Meet The Bee" Forum
This is a forum open to the public in which the community is invited to meet with The Bee’s executive management, editors and reporters to ask their questions and tell The Bee what they think. The Roseville Forum will be held at the Maidu Community Center.

February 26 -- Sacramento Workplace Excellence Awards
In partnership with The Sacramento Bee, the Sacramento Area Human Resources Association (SAHRA), is honoring outstanding workplaces in the greater Sacramento area. Winners will be announced at a special awards dinner on February 26.

February 27 - Bee Book Club/Robert Crais
The Bee hosts free events throughout the year featuring prominent authors. For more information on current scheduled guests, or upcoming authors, visit our Bee Book Club page.

MARCH

March 1 -- Kidfest Fair & Expo
This event features fun and activities for the kids, and information and resources for the parents on everything from seniors to sports to pets and arts. Admission is $5 for adults. Cal Expo.

March 25 -- Folsom "Meet The Bee Forum"
This is a forum open to the public in which the community is invited to meet with The Bee’s executive management, editors and reporters to ask their questions and tell The Bee what they think. The Folsom Forum will be held at the Folsom Rotary Clubhouse.

March 28 -- Business Strategies 2003
The Sacramento Metro Chamber hosts B’3 to provide businesses need new tools and strategies to stay ahead of the curve. Hear from corporate icons Tim Sanders of Yahoo! and Ann Rhoades of JetBlue Airways, as well as participate in educational workshops and trade show area. Sacramento Convention Center.

APRIL

April -- September (Various Dates) -- River Cats Games The River Cats Opening Day begins on Thursday, April 3. The Bee supports the River Cats throughout the season and hosts a kiosk behind section 109 at which giveaways and other fun activities are available.

April 12 -- 18th Annual Kids Expo
This event features more than 100 exhibitors providing fun, hands-on activities for the kids while Mom and Dad learn about local resources, businesses, agencies, organizations, schools and services for families.10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. El Dorado County Fairgrounds. For more information contact: Choices for Children (530) 676-0707

April 12 -- M.I.N.D. Institute Run/Walk for Hope

April 19 -- Bee Book Club/Karen Cushman
The Bee hosts free events throughout the year featuring prominent authors. For more information on current scheduled guests, or upcoming authors, visit our Bee Book Club page.

April 19 & 20 -- Roseville Strawberry Festival
This is Roseville’s largest family event featuring arts & crafts, gifts, strawberry food and treats, a kid’s zone, live entertainment, culinary demonstrations, and much more. Ticket prices are. Placer County Fairgrounds.

April 22 -- The Sacramento Bee’s Career Expo
Need a new job? Come to The Sacramento Bee’s Career Expo. Featuring area recruiters, educational workshop, a free resume clinic, and much more. Cal Expo.

April 27 -- Festival de la Familia
This one-day event has a rich history in Sacramento of celebrating all Latino cultures. Attendees can view exhibits and demonstrations, experience live entertainment and sample a myriad of tantalizing foods. $4 admission for adults. Over 60 and under 12 free. The event is held at Cal Expo and is open from 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.

MAY

May 1 -- Bee Book Club/Ann Brashares
The Bee hosts free events throughout the year featuring prominent authors. For more information on current scheduled guests, or upcoming authors, visit our Bee Book Club page.

JUNE

June 4 -- Davis Business Expo
The City of Davis sponsors a business exposition at the Wednesday Farmer’s Market. On this particular day, over 50 businesses participate in a Business Expo to promote their services to Davis. Many of the businesses hand out special offers or discounts to the attendees that visit their booth.

June 6 -- Preview Night for the Strauss Festival of Elk Grove
The Preview Night for the 15th Annual Strauss Festival features elaborately costumed choreographed dancers performing to Strauss waltz music in exclusive preview excerpts from the July 24-27 Festival in Elk Grove Park. Preview night also includes extensive hors d'oeuvres, wine tasting, celebrity servers, and a silent auction. Laguna Town Hall, 3020 Renwick Avenue, Laguna West.

June 8 -- Filipino Fiesta 2003
The annual Filipino Fiesta highlights art in songs, paintings, food, and various activities such as the Barrio Life which highlights the Filipino culture.

June 10 -- The Sacramento Bee's Career Expo
Need a new job? Come to The Sacramento Bee's Career Expo. Featuring area recruiters, educational workshop, a free resume clinic, and much more. Scottish Rite.

June 21 -- King of Feasts, Wine & Food Fest
Sacramento Zoo's King of Feasts allow guests to wander the Zoo grounds and enjoy fine wines, superior micro-brewed beers, gourmet foods and live music. Seldom do guests enjoy the exotic setting of the zoo in the evening.

June 21 -- Oak Park Summer Concert
McClatchy Park is the place for free musical fun for the whole family to enjoy. Food and crafts will be available from local vendors. Listen to the latest jazz, gospel, and hip hop sounds from a variety of popular artists.

June 27 -- Bee Book Club/Davis Masiel
The Bee hosts free events throughout the year featuring prominent authors. For more information on current scheduled guests, or upcoming authors, visit our Bee Book Club page.

June 28 -- Rocklin Jubilee
As in years past, the day's activities include a parade, 5K run, pancake breakfast, food, craft, and activity booths, live entertainment, BBQ dinner, and fireworks. Most events take place at Johnson-Springview Park.

June 28 -- Meadowview Jazz Festival
The Meadowview Jazz and Cultural Festival began in 1993. Since then this annual Jazz Concert has drawn national and local performers, such as Patti Austin. It includes multicultural food and retail vendors. Meadowview Park.

June 28 -- Raleys Celebrate America
Sacramento's signature Independence Day event! Features a live blend of mainstream family and patriotic music, plus a spectacular fireworks show to top off an unforgettable evening. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. General admission is $14 per seat, $11 per child (age 2-12). Tickets can be purchased online at rivercats.com.

JULY

July 4 -- Fourth of July 5-Miler
This race is a tradition in Sacramento. It is the area’s second-oldest race, and its only free one! It begins at 8 a.m. at Glenn Hall in River Park.

July 4 -- Salute to the Red, White & Blue

July 12 - August 9 -- Dreamhome Showcase
The Sacramento Bee Dream Home Showcase - produced by the Building Industry Association of Superior California. This year’s dream homes are set on the crest of a hill high above Folsom. This gated site offers breathtaking homes and views of the surrounding rolling terrain, magnificent oak groves and beyond.

July 17 -- Bee Book Club/Jonathon Kellerman
The Bee hosts free events throughout the year featuring prominent authors. For more information on current scheduled guests, or upcoming authors, visit our Bee Book Club page.

July 24 - 27 -- Strauss Festival of Elk Grove
The Strauss Festival blends a professional 32-piece orchestra with colorfully costumed dances to create an annual outdoor classical event that the entire family can enjoy together. It showcases the light classical music of the Johann Strauss family while using originally choreographed dances to advance a story line that changes each year. Elk Grove Regional Park.

July 26 -- Oak Park Summer Concert #2
McClatchy Park is the place for free musical fun for the whole family to enjoy. Food and crafts will be available from local vendors. Listen to the latest jazz, gospel, and hip hop sounds from a variety of popular artists.

AUGUST

August 23 -- Oak Park Summer Concert #3
McClatchy Park is the place for free musical fun for the whole family to enjoy. Food and crafts will be available from local vendors. Listen to the latest jazz, gospel, and hip hop sounds from a variety of popular artists.

August 24 -- Roseville Music in the Park

August 29 -- Chalk It Up to Sacramento
This free event allows local artists to display their creativity on large sidewalk squares and features live entertainment and food. Fremont Park.

SEPTEMBER

September 2 -- The Sacramento Bee’s Career Expo
Need a new job? Come to The Sacramento Bee’s Career Expo. Featuring area recruiters, educational workshop, a free resume clinic, and much more. Cal Expo.

September 14 -- Sacramento Aids Walk
In September, the Sacramento Valley AIDS Walk encourages the community to participate in this walk to bring awareness and raise funds. The walk is about 3.5 miles and begins and ends at the State Capitol. Company teams are encouraged.

September 18 -- Bee Book Club/Perri O'Shaughnessy
The Bee hosts free events throughout the year featuring prominent authors. For more information on current scheduled guests, or upcoming authors, visit our Bee Book Club page.

September 19 -- Perspectives
Sacramento hosts the world at this annual political affairs event at the Sacramento Convention Center on Friday, September 19th. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak, Comedian Dennis Miller, and other notable personalities will speak at the Sacramento Metro Chamber’s Perspectives 2003. Click here for more information and to purchase tickets. Tickets.

September 27 -- Oak Park Summer Concert #4
McClatchy Park is the place for free musical fun for the whole family to enjoy. Food and crafts will be available from local vendors. Listen to the latest jazz, gospel, and hip hop sounds from a variety of popular artists.

September 27 & 28 -- Children’s Book Celebration
The Children's Book Celebration is held in Fairytale Town. The Bee Book Club brings numerous children's authors to share their books and illustrations with the children and families present. Their books are sold at the event, and the authors are available to sign them. There are also storytellers, and book characters wandering through Fairytale town for photos, and puppet theatre for children to enjoy. William Land Park.

September 28 -- Roseville Music in the Park

September 28 -- Sunday Funday
This community celebration attracts more than 30,000 children, adults and seniors. It features entertainment, pony & train rides, arts & crafts, children's games, craft fair, swimming, petting zoo and more. Everything is free except food booths and craft fair vendors. Rusch Park.

September 29 -- Longs Drugs LPGA Challenge
This is the eighth annual Longs Drugs Challenge at Twelve Bridges Golf Club.

September 30 -- The Sacramento Bee’s Kids Day

OCTOBER

October 2 -- Prelude to the Season
This annual luncheon extravaganza launches the arts season and honors the businesses, organizations and volunteers who contribute meaningfully to the arts in Sacramento. Awards are given in the categories of Business Support for the Arts, Individual Leadership, Arts Excellence, Business/Arts Partnership and Business volunteer for the Arts of the Year.

October 2 -- Pride of Sacramento Valley

October 4 -- Loomis Eggplant Festival

October 4 & 5 -- Elk Grove Community Harvest & Giant Pumpkin Festival
This is a community event in Elk Grove Regional Park features a full day of family fun celebrating the agricultural heritage of Elk Grove and raises funds for community groups. Festivities includes a pancake breakfast, a giant pumpkin and produce weigh-off, scarecrow contest, hay and pony rides, pig races, a children's carnival, live music, crafts, food and more. Free. Elk Grove Regional Park.

October 9 -- The Sacramento Bee’s A Woman’s Day Professional Conference & Exposition
A Woman's Day is the largest one-day event dedicated to the professional development and education of women in the Sacramento area. It features keynote presentations, exhibits, and workshops. $90 per person, advance tickets only. Sacramento Convention Center.

October 11-12 -- American River Salmon Festival
The American River Salmon Festival is a two-day family event featuring educational, recreational, cultural, artistic, and culinary activities of the festival will celebrate salmon and highlight the wonders and importance of the river, its watershed, and adjoining American River Parkway and State Park Lands. Nimbus Fish Hatchery.

October 23 -- Bee Book Club/Julia Glass
The Bee hosts free events throughout the year featuring prominent authors. For more information on current scheduled guests, or upcoming authors, visit our Bee Book Club page.

NOVEMBER

November 9 -- Westfield Works Wonders

November 13-16 -- California International Auto Show
This four-day event in November gives attendees the opportunity to view the new cars for the upcoming year. This Auto Show located at Cal Expo brings thousands of curious spectators to the exhibits eager to choose a new vehicle. The Central Valley Automobile Association produces this annual Auto Show. Cal Expo.

November 27 -- Run to Feed the Hungry
Run to Feed the Hungry is a Thanksgiving Day, and Sacramento's largest fun run. More than 10,000 participants make this a great way to start Thanksgiving with walk or run that begins at Sacramento State University and turns through beautiful East Sacramento. All proceeds from the event benefit the Sacramento Food Bank Services.

DECEMBER

December 7 -- California International Marathon
The 26.2 mile event begins near Folsom Dam and continues through the neighboring communities of Orangevale, Fair Oaks, and Carmichael. The course also crosses through the American River, and passes by historic Sutter's Fort- making its final miles through midtown Sacramento. The event draws local, national, and international runners.