{"id":1572,"date":"2014-07-01T18:32:01","date_gmt":"2014-07-01T18:32:01","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/69.46.6.243\/?p=1572"},"modified":"2014-07-01T18:32:01","modified_gmt":"2014-07-01T18:32:01","slug":"6-top-tips-for-fourth-of-july-in-the-foothills","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/new.thepinetree.net\/?p=1572","title":{"rendered":"6 Top Tips for Fourth of July in the Foothills"},"content":{"rendered":"

Calaveras County, Ca…Now that we\u2019ve launched into summer, you might be dreaming of a long weekend getaway, hanging with family and friends, soaking up the charm of small town Americana.\u00a0 Well your timing is right, because\u00a0July 4th weekend in Calaveras is among the best times of year to be here.<\/p>\n

From charming old-fashioned Independence Day festivals to a stellar fireworks show and live entertainment, you\u2019ll find plenty of patriotic fun with six\u00a0ways to celebrate:<\/p>\n

1. Start with History\u2014Mokelumne Hill has one of the oldest Independence Day parades in the foothills<\/b>, and kicks off the day with a pancake breakfast at the town hall, followed by the parade. Few small towns call up the Gold Rush and historic Calaveras County like Moke Hill (as the locals call it).\u00a0 And if you\u2019re lucky enough to grab a room at the Hotel Leger,there will be plenty of weekend entertainment with\u00a0Open Mic Night<\/b>\u00a0on Friday and Sunday afternoon\u2019s\u00a0Backyard Blues and BBQ,\u00a0\u00a0<\/b>where you can enjoy live blues poolside in the hotel\u2019s courtyard.<\/p>\n

WHERE:<\/strong>\u00a0Moke Hill Town Hall,\u00a0 8283 Main Street, Mokelumne Hill, CA 95245
\nWHEN:<\/strong>\u00a0 Pancake Breakfast:\u00a0 7:30am \u2013 11am at Town Hall; \u00a0 Parade:\u00a0 11am
\nCONTACT:<\/strong>\u00a0Hotel Leger Info:\u00a0 (209) 286-1401, \u00a0\u00a0www.hotelleger.com<\/a><\/p>\n

2. Enjoy a quintessential small town celebration with the Calaveras Community Band performing Friday July 4th in San Andreas.<\/b>\u00a0 Tracing its roots to the Gold Rush days, when the musically inclined among the miners would get together and play at public gatherings, the Band continues its tradition of playing classic American tunes as a free public service and is a truly unique slice of Calaveras County culture.\u00a0 Tap your feet to patriotic tunes and enjoy a hearty afternoon barbecue \u2013 all proceeds will support the Calaveras Community Band.<\/p>\n

WHERE:<\/strong>\u00a0Turner Park, 287 Treat Avenue, San Andreas, CA 95249
\nWHEN:<\/strong>\u00a0 3:30pm \u2013 6pm BBQ\u00a0 $10;\u00a0 Concert begins at 6:30 and is free
\nCONTACT:\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0www.calaverascommunityband.org<\/a><\/p>\n

3. Salute our veterans at Angels Camp\u2019s patriotic picnic and old-fashioned July 4<\/b>th<\/sup><\/b>. Enjoy\u00a0<\/b>games for the kids, prizes and tasty food.\u00a0 Wear your red, white and blue!\u00a0 Stick around the park in the evening as Fresh Fridays Farmers Market gets going with fresh local produce, crafts and other gourmet goodies.<\/p>\n

WHERE:<\/strong>\u00a0Utica Park, Angels Camp CA 95222
\nWHEN:<\/strong>\u00a01pm \u2013 6pm for July 4 Celebration;\u00a0 Farmers Market 4pm until dusk<\/p>\n

4. Run off some steam (and work off some of those celebration calories) with a few friends on Saturday July 5<\/b>\u00a0\u2013 choose from a half marathon four-person relay or solo run on a picturesque backroad through ranching country, or the 10K run, 5K run\/walk. \u00a0 Spend the morning challenging yourself on the hills of Vallecito, then refuel with a post-run BBQ, with wine tasting, raffle and awards ceremony.<\/p>\n

WHERE:\u00a0<\/strong>Twisted Oak Winery, 4280 Red HIll Road Vallecito,\u00a0CA 95251
\nWHEN:<\/strong>\u00a0July 5,\u00a0 8:00am \u2013 12:30pm, check in and race day registration opens at 6:30am
\nRACE FEES:\u00a0<\/strong>(bbq included):\u00a0 5k\/10k \u2013 $35;\u00a0 Half Marathon Individual \u2013 $40;\u00a0 4-Person Relay -$120
\nLunch for non-runner adults: $10;\u00a0 Children: $7
\nCONTACT:<\/strong>\u00a0On Your Mark Events,\u00a0Registration and more information<\/a>, or call (209) 795-7832<\/p>\n

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\"July<\/p>\n

5. Get some cultural immersion at the Sierra Nevada Arts and Crafts Festival and Independence Day Parade, upcountry in Arnold.\u00a0<\/b>Cooler temperatures and an eclectic variety of fine arts and crafts, gourmet food and entertainment make for a fun family weekend.\u00a0 You haven\u2019t seen amazing quilting and burl wood furniture until you spend a day browsing here.\u00a0 Featuring over 60 booths and live country\/swing music from the Stardust Cowboys, the festival runs both Saturday and Sunday in Cedar Center, with a pancake breakfast by the Arnold Lions Club both days and the Independence Day Parade, Saturday at 11am.<\/p>\n

WHERE:<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0Cedar Center, Arnold CA 95223
\nWHEN:<\/strong>\u00a0 July 5-6;\u00a0 8am \u2013 5pm
\nPARADE:<\/strong>\u00a0 Saturday July 5, 11am<\/p>\n

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6. Enjoy spectacular fireworks and family fun at Ironstone Vineyards.\u00a0<\/b>This has proven to be the standout pyrotechnic show in the region and draws people from all over the gold country, and that\u2019s the icing on the evening cake. \u00a0 ABC News calls it \u201cOne of the Best Small Town Celebrations.\u201d\u00a0 Fireworks start at dark, but doors open at 4:30pm and there\u2019s fun for the whole family, including a bounce house, climbing wall, jugglers, food, wine and beer, and live music by Shane Dwight, Uplands Drive and local darling Jill Warren.<\/p>\n

WHERE:<\/strong>\u00a0 Ironstone Vineyards, 1894 Six Mile Road, Murphys CA 95247
\nWHEN:<\/strong>\u00a0 July 5, Doors open 4:30pm
\nPRICES:<\/strong>\u00a0 Adults $10, Kids 6-12 $5, Under 5 free
\nCONTACT<\/strong>:\u00a0www.ironstonevineyards.com<\/a>\u00a0\u00a0 209-782-1251<\/p>\n

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Other Things You\u2019ll Want on Your Radar This Weekend:<\/b><\/p>\n