Category: Family

The Fair’s a-Comin’

By Flickr user alice_mercer

I share in the Sac Rag’s love of Big Fun, but heat, crowds and cost usually conspire to make me skip out on the event, if we’re being honest. For me, the real fun is the smaller but still very fun Sacramento County Fair, which comes around every Memorial Day. Squeezing all the fun of shows, exhibits, food, and midway action into just the area taken up by fried foods during the State Fair, you really get your money’s worth…especially since kids under 12 are free!

One of the main showcases at the County Fair is always the work of the schoolkids and young livestock farmers from FFA (Future Farmers) and 4-H. The livestock halls full of horses, cattle, sheep and pigs is endless awwws for all ages.

Music-wise, this year’s event has Country music from McKenna Faith and Road 88, “Shasta County Idol” Stacy Stone, indie rockers Walking Spanish and The Generals, as well as singer songwriter Clay Hawkins, Norcal bluegrass weirdos Hot Tar Roofers and of course local sensations Dog Party.

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Go bald Monday at de Vere’s and help cure cancer!


Going bald at an event in Monrovia, CA

St. Baldrick’s Foundation is a volunteer-driven charity dedicated to funding research on children’s cancer and providing support to families going through it. Groups across the country get together to raise money for this cause that’s near and dear to lots of people.

Monday, De Vere’s Pub is holding one such event. At 5:00 PM at the downtown bar, join other supporters by going bald in solidarity with someone you know who’s affected by cancer. Or sponsor someone else who’s shaving it off!

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Wake up kids, we’re going to Baskin-Robbins

Family Night is Every Night at Baskin-Robbins
Don't spill ice cream on your pajamas, Junior.

I noticed this sign at my local Togo’s/Baskin-Robbins eatery yesterday (another awesome photo, so you’ll have to take my word for it).

Every Night is Family Night
9:00 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Something for $1.00
Something Else for $1.50

Hope they don’t come out with a happy hour…

Unnamed British boy wizard themed fun [PHOTOS]

The Game Guy pointed out that unless Fairy Tale Town has extremely deep pockets or lots of political firepower, their “Harry Potter” night is a bazillion dollar licensing lawsuit waiting to happen. Despite the threat of legal action, a good time was had by all.

Lots of kids ran around in Hogwarts robes and Gryffindor ties, which was cute. Some cosplaying grownups, including a Snape/Voledemort/Tonks/Mad-Eye Moody family, a Dobby mask, and awesome Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy couple’s costume. The trivia contest game show was a hoot; the showing I attended was won by an 8 year old in Quidditch robes, sitting on his dad’s lap. A few photos after the jump.

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Pumpkin patch review: Zittel Farms

Hay Rides at Zittel Farms in Folsom
Hay Rides at Zittel Farms in Folsom

It’s October, and that means it is time to start thinking about Halloween and visiting your local pumpkin patch for some autumnal goodness. I know this is normally CoolDMZ’s beat, but I had occasion to visit Zittel Farms yesterday in Folsom and thought I’d write a few words about my experience.

We went with another family and the kids quickly grabbed a wagon (they have a cool collection of old wagons to haul your gourds around) and started shopping. Within a few minutes of arriving, we were asked if we wanted to hop on the next hay ride. Who says no to a hay ride? People with allergies, I quickly found out, but you get the idea.

We were under a time crunch and did not have a chance to enjoy the petting zoo or pony rides, but were otherwise very impressed by the low-key nature of Zittel Farms. Their prices aren’t exactly cheap, but I think it is one of those “support your local farmer” type things. Parking was a bit tight, but manageable. The staff was rather friendly and didn’t seem to mind that we were taking more photos than we were purchasing pumpkins.

At any rate, I know there are more exciting pumpkin patches out there, but if you are in the area and would like a few photo opportunities (RonTopofIt playing with Google+) to celebrate the season, head on over to Zittel Farms at 6781 Oak Avenue in Folsom.

Help Sean get off the IMAX roof

At 8am today (September 15, 2011), Sean O’Brien will take his perch atop the IMAX Theater on K Street. He is not coming down until 100 men sign up to be a Big Brother for a local kid. Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Greater Sacramento is in desperate need for 100 heroes who want to step up and make a difference in someone’s life.

Will you? It is going to get pretty hot up there.
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Unplugging at Shinneyboo Creek [PHOTOS]

Last week was the annual Cool family summer vacation fest, and this year we decided to try our hand at camping. We spent 3 nights at the awesomely named Shinneyboo Creek Cabins resort. Shinneyboo is located between Colfax and Truckee up I-80, about 75 miles away and about 7500 feet elevation.

We stayed in a tent cabin, which offers a lot of room and actual beds (though we still opted for sleeping bags). Roughing it without having to pitch your own tent (though next time we are down for that). There are about a dozen or so tent cabin sites at Shinneyboo, and each is provided a fire pit, a park style BBQ grill, and enough space to stretch out and make your own. There is potable water and there are facilities (including a shower)!

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Colonial library closing for remodeling

Colonial Heights Library

Wife just came from Colonial Heights Library and reports that the branch will be closed July 23-September 23 for remodeling. With the Sac Library hours cuts that started last week, this really puts a damper in library hours as this was one of the only branches open until 8pm three nights a week.

However the library had apparently not had a revamp since it opened in 1986. I wouldn’t say it was desperate for an update–it was just sort of a serviceable “your library here” look. Unless of course they are updating the exterior entrance pictured above which really shows its age. But the children’s section at Colonial has already gotten a refresh and it is looking really nice.

Deterding Pool brings classic summer fun

Loved Deterding Pool! https://sacrag.com/?p=9332

Deterding Pool waterslide

I’m always complaining about the pool situation in Sac City so I thought it would behoove me to post something positive about public pools in the area. Over the weekend my family brought me to Deterding Pool in the Arden Arcade Community, a place they had been enjoyed the previous week.

Deterding Pool is basically a perfect public pool experience. There are 3 pools — the competition pool with a deep end for diving, but also a kickass waterslide; the “family pool” which goes from 3 feet at each end to 5 feet in the middle; and a wading pool for the kiddies. There is a snack bar with summertime classics like ice cream sandwiches and candy. There is ample shade provided by majestic oaks and the overhang on the pool building. And there is the soundtrack of summer fun, via mix CDs provided by the lifeguards themselves. Though I usually try to avoid today’s hit music, the kids love it, and I have to admit there is something about listening to today’s hits at the pool that is just like being a kid in the 80s and having Journey on constant rotation at the pool. Also I could hear that Florence and the Machine song on constant rotation.

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Not creepy at all!

DSCF8635
Creative Commons License photo credit: Kingfox

An enterprising and holiday-spirited local person wants your childs (sic) name and address, for holiday purposes of course:

So here is how this will work send me two dollars per letter you want sent out (per kid) cash or money order (Just because of the stamps and paper).
Also include the childs name what letter you want sent out and the information you want in the letter. Childs name(s)

I think you might also want to send a recent photo of your child. For Santa.