Monday, August 31, 2009

Marin County Offers the Best Fairs and Festivals

By David DuPont

Marin County is blessed in the number and quality of fairs and festivals that are staged throughout the summer season. A small sampling of those events follows. Note: Most are held in the southern parts of Marin County.

The Mountain Play celebrated its 96th year in 2009 with the musical Man of La Mancha. The schedule typically begins at the end of May and runs weekly through a Sunday in latter part of June. The play is held in Mill Valley at the Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre at Mount Tamalpais State Park. Tickets are $23 to $40. While some people choose to hike or bike, shuttle buses are provided and driving is discouraged because parking is limited. Tel: (415) 383-1100, www.mountainplay.org.

The Italian Street Painting Festival is held each year on two days in mid-June in downtown San Rafael. Chalk is the medium. Beginning at 9 am and running to 7 pm, the event is free. Tel: (415) 457-4878, ext. 15, www.youthinarts.org.

The Marin Arts Festival is held at the Marin Center Lagoon at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael on two days in the latter part of June. More than 250 artists display their art and music is many kinds is performed. Tel: (415) 388-0151, www.marinartsfestival.com.

The Tiburon Music Festival is held over the course of 5 days in June at St. Hilary Church in Tiburon. It celebrates chamber music and chamber opera with performances by Marin classical musicians. Tickets are $10 and $20. www.tiburonmusicfestival.org, Tel: (415) 457-5226.

The San Anselmo Art and Wine Festival is held for two days in late June on San Anselmo Avenue. 200 artists also display their wares. www.sananselmochamber.org, Tel: (415) 454-2510.

Running from 11 am to 11 pm for five days in the beginning of July, the biggest event in the county held annually is the Marin County Fair. Where: the Marin County Fairgrounds on Civic Center Drive in San Rafael. In 2010, the Fair will celebrate its 65th year. It's a celebration of the past and future with typical competitions such as pie baking and dairy cattle competitions, resulting in 10,000 exhibits. There are also countless concerts, carnival rides, amusements and nightly fireworks. Tickets are $12-$14. www.marinfair.org.

The Tiburon Art Festival is held in the latter part of August, over the course of two days along "Art Row" in Tiburon. www.tiburon-artfestival.com.

An opera event, Arias in the Park is held at Gabrielson Park, Anchor and Bridgeway, Sausalito towards the end of August. Tel: (415) 289-4152, www.ci.sausalito.ca.us.

In September, a particularly important event is the Sausalito Art Festival, held over four days along Bridgeway and Marinship Park. The annual Labor Day weekend outdoor event features fine art and sculpture, delicious food and beverages and big name musical entertainment. Tickets are $5 to $20; $30 for a three-day pass. www.sausalitoartfestival.org, Tel: (415) 332-3555 or (415) 331- 3757.

The Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival is held in the latter part of September for two days at the Old Mill Park on Throckmorton Avenue at Cascade. It highlights over 100 craftspeople from around the country with work in 15 categories. There is also live music and entertainment for children with magic, puppets and marionettes, stories and songs. Tickets are $5 to $8, children under 12 free. www.mvfaf.org, Tel: (415) 381-8090.

About the Author:

No comments: