Out & About
By Jessica Laskey
June 2024
Summer Shopping
Farmers markets offer more than fresh produce
More of your favorite local markets have reopened, some with summer hours.
The Midtown Farmers Market at 20th and K streets offers fresh fruit and produce, gourmet and locally made products, and artisan goods Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The Oak Park Farmers Market is open Saturdays through November from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McClatchy Park providing fresh food, friendly faces and free health services. Operated by the Food Literacy Center, the market offers a $20 EBT match program to bolster access to fresh, healthy food.
The Certified Farmers Market returns to Capitol Mall on Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. through October featuring food vendors, locally sourced groceries, baked goods, fresh flowers and more.
Bodega Days at Cesar Chavez Plaza is Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. through September with hot food, handmade goods and local produce. This season features live music every other week, ping-pong tables, cornhole, book carts and a playground.
GOOD TIMES ROLL
Strap on your skates! Ali Youssefi Square at Seventh and K streets is being transformed into the Downtown Roller Rink.
The roller rink will be a hub of community activity, offering public roller-skating sessions, music, dance, family-friendly entertainment and pop-ups.
“We envision this roller rink becoming a source of pride for our community, bringing us closer together as we embrace all the wonderful activities our city has to offer,” says Damian Lynch, co-owner of local entertainment brand HOF (Hall of Fame), which is helping launch the rink.
The Downtown Roller Rink will be open June 28 through Sept. 17. Hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays, 2–9 p.m., and Fridays through Sundays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Admission is $10 for children 6 and younger, and $20 for regular admission, including skate rental. For information, visit downtownrollerrink.com.
POPS IN PARK
Back for its 32nd year is Pops in the Park, presented by former City Council member Jeff Harris, Friends of East Sacramento, city of Sacramento and East Sacramento Community Association.
The lineup features Clean Slate on June 1 at East Portal Park, Apple Z on June 8 at Bertha Henschel Park, Cassie B on June 15 at McKinley Park and Mumbo Gumbo on June 22 at Glenn Hall Park.
The free Saturday concerts begin at 6 p.m. Food, beer and wine are available for purchase. For information, visit eastsacpopsinthepark.org.
BOOK FESTIVAL
After a long hiatus, Sacramento Book Festival returns thanks to California Writers Club Sacramento Branch in partnership with McKinley Park Farmers Market.
The festival features authors selling and discussing their books, and club member talks about writing, publishing and marketing.
The festival takes place Sunday, June 2, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at McKinley Park. For information, visit cwcsacramentowriters.org.
PLAZA CONCERTS
Concerts in the Park, sponsored by Downtown Sacramento Partnership, returns to Cesar Chavez Plaza every Friday from 5–9 p.m. through July 26 (except July 5).
The series features nearly 60 national and local bands and DJs, vendors and special events, such as a vintage market, silent disco and beauty bar.
“We’re excited this year to provide more spaces and platforms for local creatives and create a unique experience for Sacramento,” Downtown Sacramento Partnership Executive Director Michael Ault says.
For information, visit godowntownsac.com.
SUMMER CAMPS
The Carmichael Recreation and Park District offers children’s day camps at La Sierra Community Center.
Activities include sports, games, art, dance and music, plus field and swim trips supervised by park and rec staff.
Camps run June 10 through Aug. 9 (no camp June 19 and July 4) Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Voyager Camp is for ages 5–8, Explorer Camp for ages 9–11 and Teen Camp for ages 12–14.
Weekly fees are $210 (residents) and $220 (nonresidents). Register in person at La Sierra Community Center or online at carmichaelpark.com. Registration is first come, first served.
Stick around on the first Thursday of each month for Carmichael Food Truck Night from 5–8 p.m
CULTURAL PROGRAMS
Looking to expand your knowledge this summer? The Renaissance Society at Sacramento State offers free cultural programs for older adults on Fridays from June 7 through Aug. 2.
Topics include African American history, culture and textile arts, Mexican murals and Latin American arts, and Chinese and Japanese traditional music. Two optional visits to the university’s new planetarium are offered.
For information or to register, visit csus.edu/rensoc.
SINGER SCHOLARSHIPS
Congratulations to the winners of the Sacramento Master Singers 2024 Young Choral Singers Scholarship.
The winners are (ages 20–22) Jordan Yang, University of the Pacific, and Mia Janosik, University of the Pacific; (ages 17–19) Linnea Tamaki, UC Davis, and Natalie Odell, St. Francis High School; and (ages 14–16) Katherine Hwang, St. Francis High School, Lucy Lederer, St. Francis High School, and Misha Lucina, Folsom High School.
Sacramento Master Singers has awarded more than $30,000 to young singers in the Sacramento area. For information, visit mastersingers.org.
MIDTOWN WELLNESS
Free “Fresh Air: Midtown Parks” health and wellness classes are available in Midtown.
Strength and Mobility Training is on Mondays from 4–5 p.m. at Marshall Park. Zumba with Jackie is on Tuesdays from 9–10 a.m. at Muir Park. Yoga with Yoga Moves Us is on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 6–7 p.m. at Fremont Park, and Fridays from 6–7 p.m. at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park. Bootcamp with Jarita is on Wednesdays from 6–7 p.m. at Winn Park.
Workouts are open to all ages and fitness levels. For information, visit midtownparks.org.
ROCK THE BLOCK
Nearly 400 volunteers put in 3,000 hours over two days working with Oak Park residents to complete 15 home repairs and five community projects.
Habitat for Humanity of Greater Sacramento’s Rock the Block initiative gives low-income families and seniors peace of mind in their own homes.
“I’m recently widowed and without this, I probably would have had to sell my house,” a homeowner says.
For information, visit habitatgreatersac.org/rocktheblock.
Jessica Laskey can be reached at jessrlaskey@gmail.com. Submissions are due six weeks prior to the publication month. Follow us on Facebook and Instagram: @insidesacramento.
