Summer Flings: From Shakespeare on the river to carnival rides and En Vogue

Summer is upon us, or close enough to count, anyway. Soon, accompanying some much-hoped-for longer days and warmer nights, there will be an excitement-filled, months-long sequence of fairs, festivals, celebrations, food fetes, outdoor shows and whatever the Rivertown Revival is.

Here are some highlights. Get out your sharpies and mark up your calendars.

This is going to be fun.

RANCHO DAY

Saturday, May 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This Memorial Day weekend, Petaluma Adobe State Historic Park invites history buffs and time-travelers young and old to roll back the clocks and calendars to Petaluma of the 1830s. Rancho Day transforms the Old adobe into a living history showcase of the music and dances, culinary dishes and customs, work traditions, and holiday pastimes of the folks who once resided up and down the Petaluma River and beyond. Visitors will see firsthand demonstrations of wool spinning, rope making, candle dipping, cattle-roping, adobe brick making, dancing and singing, and plenty more. 3325 Adobe Road. $3 adults, $2 kids. Picnicking is encouraged, but no pets allowed.

Want to know more? Visit www.parks.ca.gov

PETALUMA DRINKS!

Saturday, June 2 and Sunday, 3, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.

This brand new, weekend-long, up-with-alcohol tasting experience is two full days of adult-beverage fun, with participating visitors invited to explore the tasting rooms, cellars, brewing rooms and distilleries of Petaluma’s best makers of beer, vino and spirits. Responsibility is encouraged, with designated drivers treated to a special wristband, a complimentary Petaluma Drinks! water bottle, and free non-alcoholic beverages at every stop.

Want to know more? Petalumadrinks.com

4th ANNUAL RIBS FOR KIDS

Saturday, June 9, Noon to 4:30 p.m.

The sponsors of this annual fundraiser for local kids – the Petaluma Active 20s-30s service organization – promise a rib-cooking competition that will be even bigger, better and tastier than ever, with entertainment, beer and wine, and some of the most mouth-watering home-gourmet ribs you’ll taste all year. Tasting tickets $20-$25.

Want to know more? Petaluma2030.org/ribs-for-kids

CLEAN AND SOBER MUSIC FEST

Saturday, June 9 and Sunday, June 10

Former Petaluman Stefanie Keys and her band will be joined by comedian Michael Pritchard, Tommy Odetto, Lorin Rowan, The Real Sarahs and more, for the inaugural Clean and Sober Music Fest in Booneville. The two-day festival is a musical celebration of sobriety, and includes camping and other fun activities. $30, free 12-and-inder.

Want to know more? Cleanandsobermusicfest.org.

RAILROAD SQUARE MUSIC FESTIVAL

Sunday, June 10, 11 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Music-loving Petalumans can enjoy door-to-door service, taking the SMART train directly to this day-long musical event that takes place within a few steps of the train station in Santa Rosa. Showcased artists include Frankie Boots, Sol Horizon, and The Highway Poets, featuring Petaluma’s own Sebastian Saint James. Free.

Want to know more? RailroadSquareMusicFestival.com.

STAIRWAY TO PARADISE: BROADWAY UNDER THE STARS

Weekends, June 15 to July 1, 5:30 p.m. picnicking, 7:30 p.m. show time

Kicking off another summer of Broadway-themed reviews in Jack London State Historic Park, Transcendence Theater Company presents “Stairway to Paradise,” an assortment of songs and dances performed by high-caliber professionals from Broadway and Los Angeles. Tickets $45-$150.

Want to know more? TranscendenceTheatre.org.

SONOMA-MARIN FAIR

Wednesday, June 20 - Sunday, June 24

Our local fair is six full days of fun-seeking, Ferris-wheeling, exhibit-exploring, concert-watching, livestock-judging, deep-fried-food-eating fun, with a series of high-profile nightly concerts featuring such star acts as the girl group En Vogue (Wednesday, June 20, 8 p.m.), cowboy crooner Clay Walker (Thursday, June 21, 8 p.m.), Southern rockers 38 Special (Friday, June 22, 8 p.m.), and pop-rock hit-makers Smash Mouth (Saturday, June 23, 8 p.m.), plus the always-popular Fiesta Latina (Sunday, June 24, 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.). $10-$15.

Want to know more? Sonoma-Marinfair.org.

RANCHO ADOBE FIRE DEPARTMENT PANCAKE BREAKFAST

Saturday, June 30, 7 a.m. to 11 a.m.

The Rancho Adobe Fire District hosts its annual pancake breakfast fundraiser, right at the fire station, 11000 Main St. in Penngrove, and all are welcome. Pancakes, ham and eggs, fruit, juice and coffee will be served, and a raffle with cool prizes will be held. $10 for adults, $5 for kids 12-and-under.

Want to know more? PenngroveSocialFiremen.org.

PENNGROVE PARADE

Saturday, July 1, 11 a.m.

Once described “as small-town America as you can get,” the annual Penngrove Parade will celebrate its 42nd year this July, with a procession of tractors, floats, wagons, horses, farm animals, antique military jeeps, and more, followed by a picnic and barbecue with live music by Train Wreck Junction. The picnic is a fundraiser for the Penngrove Social Firemen.

Want to know more? PenngroveSocialFiremen.org.

PETALUMA CELEBRATES INDEPENDENCE DAY

Wednesday, July 4, 11 a.m. and 5 p.m.

Beginning with the annual 4th of July morning bell-ringing event on the steps of the Petaluma Historical Library and Museum (11 a.m., 20 Fourth St.), Petaluma will celebrate Independence Day in style, with a massive party at the fairgrounds beginning at 5 p.m. The evening event features live music from local bands, food and drink from a variety of vendors, fames and fun, and a glorious fireworks display at dusk.

Want to know more? Sonomacounty.com/fourth-july

ART & GARDEN FESTIVAL

Sunday, July 8, 11 a.m. to 5 pm.

One of Petaluma’s biggest annual street events, the Petaluma Art & Garden Festival will mark its 17th year this July, with multiple music stages, endless food and drink purveyors, and over 145 painters, sculptors, artisans and crafts-persons ready to show off their masterpieces.

Want to know more? PetalumaDowntown.com

RIVERTOWN REVIVAL

Saturday, July 14, 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A truly unique Petaluma experience, the annual Rivertown Revival celebrates the heritage of our small rivertown by inviting vendors, artists, and visitors alike to dress up (period attire is often observed, though it’s up to you to choose the period) and come play, eat, listen to awesome bands on several stages, watch outrageous open-water shenanigans, goggle at artists showing inspired installations, and (yes) even get married for $5 at the world-famous Rivertown Revival Hitching Post.

Want to know more? RivertownRevival.com

PETALUMA MUSIC FESTIVAL

Saturday, August 4, 12 Noon to 9:30 p.m.

Railroad Earth, The Brothers Comatose, Royal Jelly Jive, Danny Click, The Rainbow Girls and many additional musical acts will performs on multiple stages at this annual fundraiser to keep music in our local schools. The extravaganza unfolds at the Petaluma Fairgrounds. Tickets $55 general, $149 for the VIP treatment.

Want to know more? Petalumamusicfestival.org.