- May 3 to 20:
You're A Good Man, Charlie Brown
A warm-hearted music revue that captures the flavor of Charles M. Schulz’s cartoon strip Peanuts.
Thursday at 7:30 p.m.; Friday and Saturdays at 8 p.m.; Sundays at 2:30 p.m.; $26, $20 on Thursdays; Spreckels Performing Arts Center, Rohnert Park.(707) 588-3400 - May 4 :
Family Fun Night in Howarth Park “Cinco de Mayo”
Join Rec & Parks and Froggy 92.9 radio station for a festive Cinco de Mayo celebration. Extend the evening with a free viewing of the movie Shrek on the lawn at dusk, sponsored by Party Jump. Enjoy discounted pony, train and carousel rides, as well as free music, kids activities, and puppet show. Dinner and treats for sale.
5pm-7:30pm; Free; Howarth Park, 630 Summerfield Rd , Santa Rosa. (707) 543-3424 - May 4 to 6 and 11 to 14 :
Bluebeard
This Bluebeard is a Young Rep. Musical that will leave you rolling in the aisles rather than gaping in horror.
All shows at 7:30 p.m., except Sundays at 2 p.m.; $12 general/$8 children 12 and under; Cinnabar Theater, 3333 Petaluma Blvd. North, Petaluma; (707) 763-8920 - May 5 :
Cinco de Mayo in Roseland
Starting this year, the annual Cinco de Mayo festival, which was sponsored by the City of Santa Rosa and held at the Finley Center, is now merging with the new celebration that arose on Sebastopol Road last year. One combined celebration means bigger crowds, and organizers are looking forward to 10,000 people attending through the day. There’s a good chance this will turn out to be the biggest Cinco de Mayo celebration north of the Golden Gate. The family oriented festival starts off with a kids parade at 3 p.m. There will also be plenty of food, music, dancing, kids activities, and about 100 vendors.
3 p.m. to 10 p.m.; Roseland Shopping Center, 777 Sebastopol Rd. (south of the Dutton Ave. exit off Hwy. 12) The Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition is providing free, secured bike parking. So, you can also use the Joe Rodota Trail, that runs parallel to Sebastopol Rd., to ride to the event. - May 5 :
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo on the Windsor Town Green
Family event featuring Ballet Folklorica Sarita, Orquesta Borinquen, children's crafts and more. Food & beverages available for sale.
5 p.m. - 8 p.m.; Free; Windsor Town Green, 9455 Bell Road. (707) 838-1260 - May 5 :
Bouverie Preserve Community Day
The public is invited to explore the 535-acre nature preserve and its award-winning child and adult environmental education programs at the first-ever Community Day. The Preserve is home to a rich and distinct combination of plants and animals, including more than 130 species of birds, 350 species of flowering plants and wildflowers, and numerous large mammals.
10 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Free; 13935 Sonoma Hwy, Glen Ellen. (707) 938-4554 - May 5 :
11th Annual California Herdeljezi Festival
A benefit event to help the Roma of Kosovo. The festival celebrates the folk art traditions of Roma (Gypsies); featuring traditional music, songs, dances, stories, foods, crafts and customs of the Roma, within a strong community-building context.
1 p.m. - 9 p.m.; $18 general, $12 students & seniors, children 12 & under free, Ives Park and The Sebastopol Veteran's Memorial Building in downtown Sebastopol. (707) 823-7941 - May 5 :
Paulin Creek Preserve Walk
Get an inside look at this beautiful piece of urban open space near Sutter Hospital, protected with help from the District. We’ll explore the preserve, including its riparian and creek habitats, highlighting its botanical diversity and discussing plans for future public access. Short 1-2 mile walk and talk; families welcome
12 p.m.- 2 p.m.; Free; Call for reservations and directions. (707) 524-9318 - May 6 :
Day Under The Oaks
For nearly three decades, Santa Rosa Junior College has proudly held this popular open house on its park-like campus. Watch Native American dancers or the Chinese Dragon Dance Troup. Attend the children’s theatre, enjoy sports clinics and fencing and karate competitions, do crafts at the Bookstore, and discover magic shows in the Chemistry Lab. There are free shuttles and campus tours, pony rides, fire and emergency equipment, craft booths featuring the works of local artists, space travel in our Planetarium, jazz and other live music under shaded oaks, and much more.
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Free; Santa Rosa Junior College, 1501 Mendocino Ave, Santa Rosa. (707) 527-4011. - May 6 :
30th Annual May Day Festival
This down-home event has music, kid's games, great food, local wines and family fun. The crowning of the May Day Queen and her court will be at 1:30. The original May Pole (which was used as far back as 1925) will be danced around by local 3rd Grade classes at 2 p.m. Proceeds benefit local non-profits.
Noon. - 4 p.m; Free; Geyser Peak Picnic Grounds. Take the Canyon Rd. exit on Hwy. 101. Go to Geyserville. Ave. and follow the signs. (It’s on the other side of the freeway from Geyser Peak Winery.) (707) 857-3745 - May 6 :
Hanna Boys Center's Spring Open House
Come Celebrate Hanna's 57th Anniversary during a day of tours and family activities. Learn about the center’s life-changing program that has helped over 3,300 at-risk boys and their families. Hanna is a non-profit education and treatment center supported by generous donations, and does not receive funding from the government or church.
11a.m. - 2 p.m.; Free. All ages welcome. 17000 Arnold Dr, Sonoma. (707) 996-6767 or (877) 994-2662 - May 6 :
Japanese Children’s Day Celebration
Explore the popular Japanese celebration of KODOMO NO HI, or Children’s Day. Make origami hats and carp fish banners, read folktales, learn songs, and watch taiko drumming by Sonoma County Taiko Group
1 to 4 p.m.; $4; Cotati Community Center; 216 East School St., Cotati; (707) 792-4600 x 640.
Best Children and Family Events in Sonoma County for May 2007
May 1 - 9
by Maja Wood
for About.comExplore Santa Rosa, CA
Must Reads
About.com Special Features
On the National Mall in Washington, DC
Take a look at the capital's best sight-seeing spot. More >
Oktoberfest in Phoenix
Find the best places to celebrate and join the festivities. More >
©2009 About.com, a part of The New York Times Company.
All rights reserved.