Community Briefs provides a listing of events and activities going on in and around the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas. To have an event featured, call 209-847-3021 or e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
Spring Music
Coming up on Thursday, March 26, the Oakdale Community Dance Band will present its first Spring Dance of 2026 with a lively program of swing band dance music. The performance is free, and all are invited to dance or listen. The performance starts at 6:30 p.m. at Gladys Lemmons Senior Community Center at 450 E. A St., Oakdale. Make attending the regular performances by members of the Oakdale Community Bands with family and friends a tradition.
Crab Feed Saturday
There are still a few tickets left for the Escalon American Legion Post 263 Crab Feed, with the event scheduled for Saturday, March 21. Tickets are $80 per person and the dinner will be served at the Legion Post, 1531 Second St., Escalon. The doors for this event will open at 5 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6 p.m.; the menu for the evening includes cold crab, cold shrimp, pasta, salad and dinner rolls. There will also be door prizes and raffles. For crab feed tickets or more information about the March 21 event, contact Fallon Nunes at 209-484-3641.
Riverbank Dance
The Riverbank-based Golden Agers dance group is looking to expand for the new year. They meet at the Riverbank Community Center on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with dancing, socializing, live music and fun for all. All adults 55-plus are welcome. Just drop in to check it out or become a member. Fees are $5 for members and $6 for non-members. Membership is $15. The Community Center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank.
Soup And Service
Throughout the season of Lent, weekly services at Saron Lutheran Church will include a meal and worship. The church is at 1742 North St., Escalon and the multi-week Lenten Service series runs every Wednesday through March 25. A free soup supper will be served at 6 p.m., followed by the service at 7 p.m.
Palm Sunday Breakfast
St. Patrick’s Altar Society will host its 43rd annual Palm Sunday breakfast on Sunday, March 29, 7 a.m. to noon, at St Patrick’s Catholic Church Social Hall at 19399 E. Highway 120, Ripon. Breakfast includes pancakes, linguica, ham, eggs, juice and coffee. Prices are $10 for those 11 and older; $5 for children 3 to 10 years old; under three admitted free. Tickets for the March 29 event will be sold at the door.
Irish Jam
The ‘lads and lasses’ of Brennan’s Parlor host a monthly Irish music jam (aka “Ceilidh”) in the back room of the H Bar B Saloon, 401 E. F St., Oakdale. Gatherings are on the third Monday of the month, and run from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. They welcome anyone – players, singers, or listeners – with an appreciation for Celtic music to join the fun.
Exercise Group
Conversation and exercise – all area senior citizens are welcome to join the Escalon Senior Fun Bunch walkers, known as the Senior Steppers, as they gather for their regular walks. The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Bob and Dena Lease Park in Escalon, at the corner of Justin Drive and Mission Street at 9 a.m. This is a lighthearted group whose members love to get together and walk with others, enjoy some conversation and exercise. All are welcome to join the walking group during any or all of their scheduled walks during the week.
TOPS Meeting
The area’s TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group members meet in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; the meeting is at 7450 River Road, Suite 4, Oakdale. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight. Visit the website: www.tops.org for more information and to see a list of other meeting locations.
Acoustic Sessions
The ‘Jammers’ are a loosely knit group of local musicians who gather regularly to play and share music. Members of The Jammers set up and play at Medlen’s House of Beef in Oakdale, on the patio, the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The fun begins around 3 p.m. and typically continues until about 6 p.m., a full afternoon of music. Acoustic musicians are welcome to come and play. Featured instruments usually include guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele, etc. The public is welcome to stop by, listen to the music and even sing along. No cost to attend.
Widowed Persons
Open to those throughout the area, the Oakdale Widowed Persons Group invites you to join them the first Saturday of each month for breakfast at 9 a.m. and on the third Tuesday of each month for lunch at 1 p.m.; call for locations. All are welcome to join the group no matter how long ago you lost your spouse. For more information, contact Barbara at 209-318-5100.
