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 Farmers Market
Planning a limited run this summer, the Escalon Chamber of Commerce is hosting a Farmers Market in the city’s Main Street Park. The market will run on the second Thursday of the month in May, June and July, with the first market of the season set for May 12. Hours are 4 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.; organizers are hoping to have produce booths with fresh fruits and vegetables, homemade crafts, some information booths, flowers, juice, food and more. For more information about the Farmers Market or to inquire about vendor space, contact coordinator Megan McNinch at 209-471-6891.
Oakdale Garden Club
The Oakdale Garden Club will host guest speaker Lee Miller for the Tuesday, May 17 meeting. Miller has been a San Joaquin Master Gardener since 2007 and is an avid home gardener. He has held numerous workshops and written newspaper articles featuring practical advice for home gardening. Miller will be speaking on How to Grow and Care for Dahlias. The Oakdale Garden Club meets at 10 a.m. on the third Tuesday of the month at the Community Methodist Church at 1480 Poplar Ave., in Oakdale. Attendance is free, and guests are welcome.
Widowed Persons Support
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 209-322-2184.
Chocolate Festival Set
Mark the calendar – Oakdale’s annual Chocolate Festival is scheduled for the weekend of May 21 and 22, with this year being the 30th annual festival. Hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, located in the heart of the downtown Oakdale area, centered around South Yosemite Avenue. Tickets at the gate are $6 for adults, $5 for seniors, and kids who are 12 and under are free. Presale tickets are also available on the oakdalechamber.com/events website for $4 and you can get a dollar off tickets at the gate if you bring a canned good item. The festival last year was pushed back to September due to COVID restrictions, but this year will be back in its traditional May time frame. There will be food, rides, music, classic cars, chocolate and more. For additional information, contact the Oakdale chamber at 209-847-2244 or visit their website.
Valley Artists Meet
Valley Art Association meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month, except January and July. They meet in the Boy Scout Hall at 3017 High St., Riverbank. Members and visitors bring their art to share with the group. This non-profit group also promotes the annual Carriage Art Show to raise scholarship funds awarded to college-bound students majoring in art. The next meeting will be Tuesday, June 14. For further questions about the group: ValleyArtAssociation@gmail.com
Weekly Dances
Check out the Golden Agers 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. Drop in, or become a member. Fees are $5 for members and $6 for non-members. Membership is $15; contact Ellie DeJesus at 209-277-5584 or Lupe Padron at 209-573-5014. The Community Center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank.
TOPS Group Meets
All interested are welcome to join TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) a weight support group that meets in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m. at the Community United Methodist Church on Poplar. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight can contact Audrey for more information, call 209-765-7838.
