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GILROY
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Japanese Art Festival
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Embrace Japanese-American culture and heritage at the Gilroy Center for the Arts Nikkei Matsuri and Art Exhibit. Nikkei means a Japanese descendant who is a citizen of another country and Matsuri means festival. The festival will feature local artists and vendors displaying a variety works influenced by Japanese culture. Visitors will also enjoy kids activities and live music. Works of art will be on display through Oct. 9. The festival will be held on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Gilroy Center for the Arts, 7341 Monterey St, Gilroy. To learn more go to gilroyartsalliance.com.
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Restoring Hot Springs
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Join HistoriCorps on an adventure by becoming a volunteer to help restore Gilroy Yamato Hot Springs, a California Registered Historical Landmark that was a popular resort in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Participants will receive free campsites, meals, tools, safety equipment and materials. Planned projects involve assembling scaffolding, installing redwood shingles and repairing roof rafters. Anyone can join, no experience is necessary. Bring your own camping gear and appropriate work clothes and shoes. Volunteers can register for one or more weeks beginning Sunday, Sept. 25 continuing through the following two weeks at 13800 Gilroy Hot Springs Road, Gilroy. Read more and sign up at historicorps.org.
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HOLLISTER
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Downtown Beer and Bacon Crawl
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If you haven’t heard, Hollister is inviting everyone to come and explore the downtown while indulging in delicious suds and grub at the Beer and Bacon Crawl. Downtown businesses and breweries, including local brewery Grillin and Chillin Alehouse will be coming together with rumored culinary delights such as bacon risotto balls and bacon dipped in chocolate. Participants will file through a check-in area and receive a map, wristband and commemorative mini pub glass. What could be better than hanging with your peeps, sipping local brews and chowing down bacon creations on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. The crawl begins at 650 San Benito St. For tickets go to downtownhollister.org.
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Mexican Independence Day Parade
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Spectators look forward to the brilliant colors and the traditions brought together in Hollister’s Mexican Independence Day Parade, celebrating the beginning of the Mexican War of Independence from Spanish rule on Sept. 16 in 1810. Some of the favorite features of the parade include singers, dancers and horsemen. Join the community on Sunday, Sept. 18 at 11:30 a.m., starting at San Benito High School parking lot and continuing through Hollister’s historic business district. To find out more call Ruben Rodriquez at (831) 902-5103 or go to downtownhollister.org.
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MORGAN HILL
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British Classic Car Show
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If you’re a British classic car fan then you’ll want to attend the Annual British Fall Classic in Morgan Hill. This is a two-day event with car show participants touring the scenic wine country in their sport and saloon cars. If you’re on the road, you might catch a glimpse of them on Sept. 17 from noon to 3 p.m. To see the full collection of Triumphs, Jaguars, Austin Healeys and more head out on Sept. 18 from 10 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. to East Second and Depot St. in downtown Morgan Hill. Find out more at britishfallclassic.com.
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Harvest for Heroes
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You can feel good about giving to One Step Closer Therapeutic Riding’s Harvest for Heroes, benefiting U.S. Veterans, by providing an opportunity to heal through equine-assisted therapy. The evening consists of an elegant dinner catered by GVA Café and accompanied by great local wines. Complete the evening with a silent auction and line dancing with the Country Cougars. Expect a special message from our U.S. Veterans on Saturday, Sept. 17 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Historic Villa Mira Monte,17860 Monterey Rd. Tickets are $60 and can be purchased through eventbrite.com. Find more information at opsctr.org.
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SAN JUAN BAUTISTA
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Garden Work
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Take part in one of three Fall Work Days and help maintain and beautify the gardens and landscape at San Juan Bautista’s State Historic Park. Every year volunteers come together for the fall care and cleanup in the historic town square surrounded by structures built in the 1800s, including the Plaza Hotel and Zanetta House. After a morning of hard but satisfying work, volunteers are invited for a free lunch and tour of the San Juan Bautista State Historic Park. Meet at the Heritage Garden in front of the Settlers Cabin on Sept. 17, Oct. 8 and 15 at 8 a.m., working until noon each day. Sign up by calling (831) 623-4881.
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Double Racing Festival
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Runners are encouraged to participate in the San Juan Bautista Double Racing Festival. Races will start on the historic main street and finish in front of the Mission San Juan Bautista. During halftime runners can take advantage of the recovery zone to make adjustments and get ready for the second leg. Participants will run the Double Road Race 15K in two parts or run/walk the Ujena Double 8K. Bring the kids, 13 and younger, for the Bob Anderson’s Kids Cup Double 1.5 mile. Packet pickup and registration is at Posada de San Juan Hotel in the lobby on Friday, Sept. 23 from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. The festival includes live music and food on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. For more information visit doubleroadrace.com.
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THE VALLEY
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San Jose Art Party
Anne and Mark’s Art Party will showcase over 300 artists and performers contributing to a weeklong art exhibition described as “An Occasional and Irrational Art Festival.” Opening night gala is on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 7 p.m. to midnight. Single day gallery viewings begin on Sunday, Sept. 25 and continue through Friday, Sept. 30 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. The closing fashion show event will be on Saturday, Oct. 1 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. VIP all-event passes are available and include early entry to the gala, open bar and catered buffet, private reserved seating, gallery access on all viewing days as well as access to the closing night fashion show for $150. All other single event tickets are priced from $10-$39. The events will be held at the Santa Clara County Fairgrounds, 344 Tully Rd, San Jose. For more information and tickets go to artpartysj.com.
