Marin Family Events for August 10, 11 & 12

Here are our picks for great events and activities for children and families this weekend. Find more events for the whole week in Marin and beyond in our Family Events Calendar.

Friday, August 10

• Children's Garden Series: The Red Panda Acrobats
  Yerba Buena Gardens, San Francisco
  Friday, 11–11:30 am & 12:15–12:45 pm
  This free event is part of the Children's Garden Series at Yerba Buena Gardens in San Francisco. Children's program of traditional Chinese acrobatics. For more info, visit their website.
• Sonoma County Fair
  Sonoma County Fairgrounds
  Friday, Saturday, and Sunday 11 am–11 pm
  The Sonoma County Fair offers both a classic full-scale carnival with plenty of excitement for thrill-seekers and a separate kiddie carnival area for the little ones, with scaled down thrills and lots of excitement. Fair admission is free every day for children 6 and under; Fridays are Kids' Days, with free admission for all children 12 and under. Carnival rides are an additonal charge. The fair also holds a daily parade around the grounds at 5 pm that all can participate in—if you want to join in, show up by the Milk Barn at 4:45 pm. Admission is $10 for ages 13 and up, $3 for children 7–12, and free for children 6 and under and seniors 60+. For more info, visit www.sonomacountyfair.com.
• Pt. Reyes Library Free Event: Crosspulse Rhythm Duo
  Dance Palace
  Friday, 1:30–2:30 pm
  Bring the whole family to enjoy the energy and excitement of this music, dance and percussion group as we wrap up our wonderful summer events. Location: Dance Palace, 503 B Street, Pt. Reyes Station. For more info, call (415) 663-8375 or visit their website.
  
• Origami Fishing Game
  Mill Valley Public Library
  Friday, 2:30–4 pm
  First you fold some fishes. Then you fold a fish pond to keep them in and a bowl to catch them in. When you're done folding, add a fishing pole and play a few rounds of your very own hand-made fishing game. Call (415) 389-4292 x106 to register. Advance registration required! For grades K+. Location: 375 Throckmorton, The Creekside Room. For more info, visit their website.
• Picnics on the Plaza featuring Cathey Cotten and the Rocket Ride
  San Anselmo Town Hall Lawn
  Friday, 5–8 pm
  Searching for a fun, family-friendly way to spend your summer evenings? Come on downtown to San Anselmo for Picnics on the Plaza on six Friday evenings this summer. Grab dinner-to-go at a local restaurant or pack a picnic and dine with old and new friends at the plaza tables on Tunstead or on Town Hall lawn. Enjoy live entertainment and activities, and shop for fresh, organic produce at the farm stand. For more info, visit their website.
  
• Jazz & Blues by the Bay
  Gabrielson Park, Sausalito
  Friday, 6:30–8:30 pm
  Jazz & Blues by the Bay at Gabrielson Park in Sausalito is a free event. Lawn seating available (first-come first-served). This Friday, Brass Express. Food Sponsored by Sausalito Rotary Club. For more info, visit their website.
• Closing Night! Creekside Fridays Music Series
  Tennessee Valley Cabin, Mill Valley
  Friday, 6:30–8 pm
  Bring the family, pets, chairs, and blankets to the weekly free musical event. From the quiet flats of Tam Valley emerges one of the most exciting local bands in recent years—Marble Party. Food available for purchase. For more info, call (415) 289-4152 or visit their website.

Saturday, August 11

• Free E-Waste Collection Event
  Northgate Mall (old Rite Aid parking lot)
  Saturday, 9 am–4 pm
  Northgate will be hosting a free Electronic E-Waste Collection Event in the parking lot of the old Rite Aid building near the Merrydale Road mall entrance. E-waste is any consumer electronic equipment that has reached its "end-of-life," including computer monitors, television sets, PC systems, printers, laptops, copiers, scanners, fax machines, toner cartridges, VCR/DVD players, home entertainment systems, etc. Also accepted are car and forklift batteries. For more info, visit their website.
  
• Marin Country Mart Farmers Market
  Marin Country Mart, Larkspur Landing
  Saturday, 9 am–2 pm
  This Saturday, Rhythm Child-Interactive Drum Circle Sing-A-Long from 10:30 am-noon. Rhythm Child focuses on building kids' confidence through music and rhythm, using drums and other instruments. Enjoy pony rides and a petting zoo and face painting for the kids from 10 am–2 pm adjacent to the farmer's market and live music by Bobby Jo Valentine  from 11 am–2 pm. For more info, visit their website.
• Gravenstein Apple Fair
  Ragle Ranch Park, Sebastopol
  Saturday, 10 am–6 pm and Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  Come and celebrate a time when neighbors gathered to share home baked food, listen to some of the locals sing a tune, and learn a few farming skills. Brimming with tradition, this country fair showcases the Gravenstein Apple and the experience of an old time country get together. Enjoy farming displays, a children's corner with crafts, music, and a magician, and more. Saturday, 10 am–6 pm and Sunday 10 am–5 pm. Admission $12 general, $10 seniors, $5 youth 6–12, free for children under 6. The Gravenstein Apple Fair takes place at Ragle Ranch Park in Sebastopol, at 500 Ragle Road. More information: www.gravensteinapplefair.com.
  
• Northgate Kids’ Sing ‘n' Play!
  San Rafael
  Saturday, 10–11 am
  Kids of all ages are invtied to come play, sing and dance in an interactive musical playgroup that will be led by talented local Marin music teachers. This free summer series of musical playgroups will offer a different music-focused program (provided by Kidzter) every other Saturday morning at Northgate. Kids will get a free musical instrument to help keep to the rhythm all summer long. Every other Saturday from 10–11 am in the Macy’s wing. For more info, visit their website.
• Fisher-Price Play Weekend
  San Francisco Zoo
  Saturday & Sunday, 10 am–4 pm
  Make plans to play at the Zoo during the Fisher-Price Play Weekend. Kids can take their favorite Power Wheels for a spin on the “kid-friendly” driving track and check out the coolest and newest toys from Fisher-Price in the super-sized play pen. All activities are free with paid zoo admission.. For more info, call (415) 753-7080 or visit their website.
  
• China Camp Heritage Day
  China Camp State Park, San Rafael
  Saturday, 11:30 am–4 pm
  Bring the family to the annual Heritage Day celebration at China Camp Village for a day of musical performances, educational displays, and activities for the whole family. This is a free event. For more info, call (415) 488-5161 or visit their website.
• San Rafael Food & Wine Festival
  Falkirk Cultral Center
  Saturday, noon–5 pm
  Come and enjoy food from area restaurants and sample wines from dozens of the region’s outstanding boutique wineries on the historic Great Lawn at Falkirk. Admission to the event is free. Attendees can purchase a food and wine tasting pass for $25 and they will receive a wristband and a tasting glass. Tickets will also be available onsite the day of the event. Ticket sales on the day of the event will be cash only. Falkirk Cultural Center is located at 1408 Mission Ave. in San Rafael. For more info, visit their website.
  
• Lyford House Open to Visitors
  Tiburon
  Saturday, 1–4 pm
  Lyford House, the yellow Victorian on the shores of Richardson Bay at the Richardson Bay Audubon Center & Sanctuary, will be open for visitors one Saturday per month for five months beginning June. It was deeded to the Audubon Society in 1961 and was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2000. Location: 376 Greenwood Beach Road, Tiburon. For more info, call (415) 388-2524 or visit their website.
• Family Fun Night—Water Wizard Wonderland!
  Mill Valley Aquatic Center
  Saturday, 6–8 pm
  Join the wizards and other mystical characters. Watch them transform into princes and princesses throughout the evening. Dress up as your favorite wizard fairytale character. There will be a costume contest from 6-8 pm, musical lily pads at 6:45 pm, slide races (must be 48 inches tall) at 7:10 pm a raffle at 7:15 pm and frogs and flies at 7:30 pm. For those who aren't interested in swimming, Disney's Princess and the Frog will be playing. A bounce house will be available on the patio, coloring sheets and crayons will be available to use. Please note, you are still responsible for watching your own children. Cost: $10 per family. Location: 180 Camino Alto For more info, visit their website.
• Family Night Hike and Campfire: S’mores Cook-off & Sing-Along
  Fort Cronkhite, Sausalito
  Saturday, 6–8:30 pm
  Calling all parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, friends, and siblings! Enjoy the great outdoors after the sun sets with a fun-filled, family friendly night hike and campfire. Themes vary and s’mores provided. Cost: $12 per person. Registration required here. Location: NatureBridge at Golden Gate Fort Cronkhite, 1033 Fort Cronkhite in Sausalito. For more info, visit their website.
• Film Night in the Park: The Muppet Movie
  Creek Park, San Anselmo
  Saturday, 8 pm
  A host of characters befriend Kermit and Fozzie as they head for Hollywood in the original classic film. Arrive by 8 pm—films begin at dusk. Popcorn, candy and sodas will be sold. Bring blankets, pillows, backrest and low chairs. Film Night suggests leaving pets at home. Free, but donations are appreciated. Location: Creek Park, 451 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, San Anselmo. For more info, call (415) 272-2756 or visit their website.
   

Sunday, August 12

• Civic Center Farmers' Market
  Marin Civic Center, San Rafael
  Sunday, 8 am–1 pm
  There's lots of organically grown produce, breads, eggs, and fresh cut flowers, as well as live music, bounce houses, and more. This farmers' market is a great one to take the kids to. It’s located in the main Civic Center parking lot. For more info, visit their website.
• U-Pick Sunday at Bloomfield Farms
  Petaluma
  Sunday, 9 am–2 pm
  On Sundays through August, families can come and pick their own kale, broccoli, zucchini, green beans, Swiss chard, and more on this certified organic family farm. The cost is $25 to fill a box. Read our article about it here. Bloomfield Farms is located west of Petaluma on 12250 Valley Ford Road. An RSVP to upick@bloomfieldfarmsorganics.com or on the farm's Facebook page is appreciated, but not essential. For more info, visit their website.
• Pancake Breakfast at West Point Inn
  West Point Inn on Mt. Tam
  Sunday, 9 am–1 pm
  West Point Inn on Mt. Tamalpais hosts a pancake breakfast from 9 am–1 pm on Sunday. Guests must hike or bike to the inn; parking is available at Bootjack, Pan Toll, Rock Springs and the East Peak parking lots. This is a really nice hike if you haven’t done it before. It’s not appropriate for babies or infants, unless they’re in a baby backpack. The cost is $10 for adults and $5 for children. For more info, call (415) 388-9955 or visit their website.
  
• Marine Science Sundays
  The Marine Mammal Center, Sausalito
  Sunday, 10 am–5 pm
  These fun-filled days of family-friendly tours, classroom activities, and more are centered around a new theme each month. The theme this month is "Where Have All The Marine Mammals Gone?" Celebrate the rare and endangered marine mammals along the California coast, and the efforts to save them. The Marin Mammal Center is located at 2000 Bunker Road Fort Cronkhite. Admission is free. For more info, call (415) 289-7356 or visit their website.
• Sunday Fun Days at Marinwood Pool!
  Marinwood Community Center Pool
  Sunday, noon–4 pm
  Bring the family to the Marinwood Pool for live music or DJ, bounce house and games. Food and beverage will be available for purchase. Every Sunday this summer through August 12. Free to pool members, non-members pay the pool entrance fee. For more info, call (415) 479-0775 or visit their website.
• Free Music in the Park San Anselmo
  Creek Park, San Francis Drake Blvd. & Center Blvd.
  Sunday, 1–4 pm
  The San Anselmo Arts Commission presents Music in the Park, a free concert series. Bring the family to see The Tickets Band. For more info, visit their website.
  
• Summer Family Access Day
  Contemporary Jewish Museum
  Sunday, 1–3 pm
  The Museum’s Access Program in collaboration with Support for Families of Children with Disabilities presents a family-friendly day at the museum. Activities include nature sculpture art-making, interactive family gallery tours at 12:30, 1, and 1:30 pm, and a special storytelling corner under the museum’s outdoor tree installation from 1–2 pm. For more info, visit their website.
• Stern Grove Festival Kids Stage: CHELLE! And Friends
  Sigmund Stern Grove, West Meadow
  Sunday, noon–1 pm
  From noon until 1 pm before every concert, kids of all ages are invited to participate in hands-on arts projects and programs at KidStage in Stern West Meadow. Kids can enjoy craft-making, singing and dance lessons, games, and more! A different activity will be featured at each concert. Join in the fun! This event is free. Location: 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. For more info, visit their website.
• Stern Grove Festival: Al Jarreau and The George Duke Trio
  Sigmund Stern Grove, San Francisco
  Sunday, 2 pm
  The free Stern Grove Festival presents All Jarreau and The George Duke Trio this Sunday at 2 pm. Re-creating a legendary San Francisco recording session, Al Jarreau and The George Duke Trio reunite for an afternoon of jazz classics. Oakland’s neo-soul songstress Mara Hruby opens the day with her mesmerizing, smooth vocals. Arrive early—space is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Come for another summer of amazing concerts and performances, inspiring and interactive outreach programs, and picnics with friends and family in the beauty of Sigmund Stern Grove. Admission-free concert, open to the public. Location: 19th Avenue and Sloat Boulevard. For more info, go to www.sterngrove.org.
  
• Rhythm Child Free Summer Concert with Charity and the JamBand!
  Park Chalet, San Francisco
  Sunday, 3–5:30 pm
  Bring the family to the Park Chalet this Summer for their sixth annual family music festival with Charity & the JAMband! Rhythm Child will be performing from 3–4 pm and Charity and the JamBand from 4–5:30 pm. Bring the family for some great guests, tasty food and fun times on the lawn. The Park Chalet is located at 1000 Great Highway in San Francisco. For more info, call (415) 386-8439 or visit their website.
• Summer Concerts in the Park
  Belvedere Community Park
  Sunday from 4–6 pm
  Bring a picnic, a blanket and enjoy the music of Tennessee River. The concert will be at the gazebo in Belvedere Community Park. For more info, vist their website.