A weekly guide to what’s happening
Green Fix
Bike Ride with Martine Watkins
Martine Watkins and the Santa Cruz Police Department want to race you—on a leisurely bike ride, that is. It’s a great way to get your local politics opinions heard from the back of the peloton. The city of Santa Cruz invites families on a Riverwalk ride with Watkins, SCPD and Ecology Action. Bring a bike, a helmet and a light. No hydrocarbon electric bikes necessary—beach cruisers work great.
INFO: Saturday, Aug. 24, 10 a.m.-noon. The Colligan Theater, 1010 River St., Santa Cruz.
Art Seen
Aromas Day
Aromas day, a “day in the country,” celebrates the biggest little village on the Central Coast. Every year, it proves to be the most fun people can have with their clothes on (they said it, not us). The streets close to traffic, and the town becomes a walking mall, opening up to visitors with music, handcrafts, art, jewelry, food, and drink. This year also includes horse-drawn wagon rides courtesy of Backstretch Horse Rescue. For early risers, the day begins with an old-fashioned pancake breakfast at the Aromas Grange. Eggs, pancakes, ham or sausage, coffee, and juice galore for $8. Following that, there’s live music and the Classic Car Show. Wear your walking shoes.
INFO: Sunday, Aug. 25, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. aromasday.com. Free.
Sunday 8/25
Holistic Health Wellness Fair
College of Botanical Healing Arts (COBHA) sponsors its 14th-annual Holistic Health and Wellness Fair in downtown Santa Cruz, bringing together traditional and alternative practitioners, businesses and educational institutions from Santa Cruz’s diverse healing community. Peruse dozens of booths and meet local practitioners, get hands-on healing, sample local products and foods, and listen to knowledgeable guest speakers. The fair supports the nonprofit, which provides education and research around the art and science of essential oils, plants, nutrition, and herbal healing.
INFO: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Lincoln and Cedar streets, Santa Cruz. cobha.org. 462-1807. Free.
Saturday 8/24 and Sunday 8/25
Dahlia Festival
Join Dahlia lovers, growers and admirers for this two-day Dahlia extravaganza with hundreds of varieties blooming especially for this time of year. There will be over 1,000 award-winning blooms, including poms larger than your head and some only the size of a thimble. There are all kinds of colors, though interestingly, blue dahlias don’t exist. Take photos, browse rows and rows of flowers, and talk to growers about how they successfully grow these incredible blooms.
INFO: 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24; 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 25. Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, 705 Front St., Santa Cruz. 429-1964, santacruzmah.org. Free.
Saturday 8/24 and Sunday 8/25
Tequila and Taco Music Festival
Everyone knows that tacos are delicious. But did you know they taste even better with tequila? This weekend at San Lorenzo Park, the two will be paired once again. There will also be beer, craft vendors and live music.
INFO: 11:30 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 24 and Sunday, Aug. 25. Tequila sampling times are from 11:30 am-3:30 pm on Saturday only. San Lorenzo Park, Santa Cruz. 805-628-9588, tequilaandtacomusicfestival.com. $10-$40.
