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, e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
Escalon Market June 21
The latest in the series of monthly Escalon Farmers Market events is scheduled for Wednesday, June 21. Offered in and around the city’s Main Street Park, hours are 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. and there will be vendor booths, food and beverages, fresh produce vendors, toys, handcrafted items and more. The market is hosted on the third Wednesday, with future dates set for July 19 and wrapping up for the season on Aug. 16.
Pinocchio Adaptation At Hamlet
A musical adaptation of Carol Collodi’s classic Pinocchio is the next performance due at Hutton’s Hamlet in Oakdale. Showtimes are Friday, June 23 at 7 p.m.; Saturday, June 24 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. When teenager Carl wants to run away from home, he applies for a job with the mysterious Professor Pinecone and his traveling marionette puppet show. He quickly discovers that the position comes with all kinds of strings attached. Tickets are $12 for adults, $8 for those 12 and under. Hutton’s Hamlet Performing Arts Center is at 132 West G Street, Oakdale. Call 209-848-1216 for more information.
Saturday Morning Shopping
A new Oakdale Morning Market is now open every Saturday on North Third Avenue in Oakdale. The weekly event is a project of the non-profit foundation Love Oakdale and will be hosted each Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. through Saturday, Sept. 30. Each week will include a few food truck vendors, as well as a number of vendors offering everything from produce, meat, eggs, bread and a variety of other food as well as fun items to give the market diversity.
June Astronomy Night
The next scheduled Astronomy in the Park event is scheduled for Saturday, June 24 at 8:30 p.m., Oak Grove Regional Park, I-5 at Eight Mile Road, Stockton. Presented by The Stockton Astronomical Society, Oak Grove Docent Council and San Joaquin County Parks, the event is free but there is a $6 cash parking fee. View planets through giant telescopes after sunset; the June 24 program will feature viewing a Star Cluster and Whirlpool Galaxy. For more information, call 209-953-8800.
Weekly Dances
Check out the Golden Agers dance group 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.
TOPS Meeting
All interested are welcome to join TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) a weight loss support group that meets in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; meeting at 7450 River Road, Suite 4, Oakdale. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight.
Market Place July 1
All are invited to come to eat, shop and/or sell your wares at Market Place on Poplar, with the next event coming up July 1. On the first Saturday of each month, Community United Methodist Church at 1480 Poplar in Oakdale, hosts this event from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. The Market Place offers an opportunity to shop for unique finds or enjoy a selection from Chef Lee’s popular lunch menu. Eat in, or take away. Interested vendors can contact craftfairinfo@yahoo.com for more information on reserving a $20 booth space. Additional dates through the end of 2023 are scheduled for Aug. 5, Sept. 2, Oct. 7, Nov. 4 and Dec. 2.
Accordion Players Gather
The Good Time Accordion Club members meet on a regular basis, the first Sunday of the month at 2:30 p.m., hosted at the Escalon United Methodist Church, 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon. Admission is $5; there are free refreshments provided. The club presents musicians of all levels and many musical styles. Anyone can bring an accordion and play or just come to enjoy listening to the musical performances. The remaining 2023 gatherings are scheduled for July 2, Aug. 6, Sept. 3, Oct. 1, Nov. 5 and Dec. 3.
Musical Entertainment
All are invited to come and listen to “The lads and lasses of Brennan’s Parlor” as they host a monthly Irish music jam (aka ‘Ceilidh’) in the back room of the H – B Saloon, located at 401 E. F St., Oakdale, on the third Monday of the month from 6 p.m. to roughly 8:15 p.m.; with the next gathering on July 17. They welcome anyone – players, singers, or listeners – with an appreciation for Celtic music to join the fun.
