Memorial Day Weekend Events in Marin

Posted by pamela |

Friday, May 23

Circus Osorio/American Crown Circus sets up its big top at St. Vincent's in Marinwood, just south of Novato for 3 days. This family run, bilingual circus is centered around acrobats, performers, and clowns, with no exotic animals. By all accounts they put on a great show for the whole family! Performances are on Friday, May 23 at 7 pm; Saturday May 24 and 25 at 2, 4:30 and 7 pm; and Sunday, May 26 at 2 pm and 4:30 pm. Tickets are $12 for adults, but include two free children's (12 and under) tickets per adult ticket. Call (415) 883-0800 to reserve tickets. Find out more about Novato Sunrise Rotary at www.novatosunriserotary.org.

Join Call of the Sea for a Sunset Sail, May 23, 6–8:30 pm. Watch the sun set from the deck of the 82’ schooner Seaward, operated by Call of the Sea, a non-profit that educates children and adults about sailing and maritime activities. Adults $40, children (3–12) $20, children under 3 are free. Beverages and snacks are provided; feel free to bring your own picnic dinner. The cruise leaves from the Bay Model Visitor's Center in Sausalito. Get more information, directions, and reservations at www.callofthesea.org. Or call (415) 331-3214.

Are you a new or expecting parent? If so, don’t miss the San Francisco Birth and Baby Fair that takes place at the Fort Mason Conference Center from 10:00 am-3:00 pm this Saturday, May 24. It’s your chance to meet and talk to birth and parenting specialists, including midwives, doulas, massage therapists, childbirth educators, lactation consultants, and experts in the birth and parenting community. Also, be ready to shop for maternity clothes and a variety of hip children items from local designers. The Fort Mason Conference Center is located at 99 Marina Blvd., San Francisco. For a list of workshops, participants and sponsors, go to www.birthandbabyfair.com.

The Marin Greek Festival takes place May 24 and 25 from noon to 10 pm at the Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church at 1110 Dickson Drive in Novato. Come for the fabulous Greek cuisine and live Greek music. For more info, call (415) 883-1998 or visit www.nativityofchrist.org/festival.

Fairfax Fat Tire Festival, a mountain bike festival is scheduled for this Saturday and Sunday. The program includes family events from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturday at Peri Park and a mountain bike race Sunday. For more info, go to www.fairfaxfattirefestival.com.

Circus Osorio sets up its big top at St. Vincent's in Marinwood, just south of Novato for 3 days. See Friday's listing for details.

Caledonia Street Fair will be taking place in Sausalito on Sunday from 11 am–6 pm. This event will celebrate its eighth year over 100 fine arts and crafts vendors and food and entertainment for the entire family. The Fair has a strong focus on music and dance performances, with three stages of live entertainment. Tim Cain will be performing at 3:00 pm. A special children's area on the lawn at City Hall provides art and activities for little ones. This is a free event. Call (415) 289-4152 or go to www.ci.sausalito.ca.us.

The 17th Annual Asian Pacific Heritage Festival returns to the Bay Area Discovery Museum on Sunday, May 25 from 10 am to 5 pm. Come check out the Taiko drummers, lion dance team, the Filipino Dance Group of Marin and other Polynesian and Pacific Islander groups. Free admission to the museum and all events. More information: www.badm.org.

The Mountain Play Association presents its 95th season production,The Wizard of Oz. Shows are on Sunday at 1:00 pm. Tickets can only be purchased online or by phone. Prices are: Adults $35.00 online, $37.00 phone, $39 at gate; juniors (ages 4–17) and seniors (ages 65+) $24.00 online, $26.00 phone, $28 at gate; children 3 and under free. For more info, go to our past article. For tickets and more information visit mountainplay.org or phone (415) 383-1100.

Marin Greek Festival, noon to 10 pm at Nativity of Christ Greek Orthodox Church in Novato. See Saturday’s listing for details.

Circus Osorio sets up its big top at St. Vincent's in Marinwood, just south of Novato for 3 days. See Friday's listing for details.

Bring the family to the Mill Valley Memorial Day Parade, themed "Heroes," which begins at 10:30 am on Monday, May 26. Before the parade will be a pancake breakfast at 7:00 am that is put on by the city's volunteer firefighters in front of City Hall. After the parade, there will be an outdoor concert at Tamalpais High School as part of the school's centennial celebration. There will also be a family party with music, food and games. The annual parade starts at Old Mill Elementary School at 352 Throckmorton avenue and ends at Tam High. For more info, call 415-389-0232.

Come out to the Memorial Day summer pool party and BBQ at the YMCA Hamilton pool on Monday, May 26. The Marin YMCA and city of Novato Partnership will host a pool party and barbecue from noon to 6 pm on Memorial Day to benefit the Marin YMCA's Strong Communities campaign. Activities will include a jump house, a synchronized swimming demonstration, and a lifeguard rescue demonstration. The pool is located at 206 El Bonito in the Hamilton area of Novato. For details, call (415) 492-9622.

Marin Races-Put your training to the test and run one of the fastest 10K courses in the Bay Area: a flat, certified loop that kicks into high gear for a dramatic finish in the College of Marin Stadium. Or challenge yourself to a walk, run, or race walk on a shorter 2.5 mile loop. And don't forget the very popular and fun Youth Track Races for kids 12 and under that starts at 10 am. For more info, go to marinraces.com.

And, lastly, let's not forget that Memorial Day is not just about a three-day weekend. The Marin County Memorial Day Observance takes place on Monday, May 26 at 9 am at the Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium in San Rafael. The event features music, a remembrance program, flag displays and wreath-laying ceremonies. Admission to this event is free; no tickets or reservations are required. For more info, go to their website.

The Presidio's Memorial Day Commemoration begins on Monday at 10:30 am at the Presidio Main Post Parade Ground. The event starts with a parade led by the 91st Division Pipes and Drum Band and proceeds to the nearby National Cemetery. Formal ceremony begins at 11 am with wreath laying, remarks, a reading of the Gettysburg address, and a 21-gun salute. Rangers and volunteers, some in costume, will lead tours of the cemetery and highlight the lives of noteworthy soldiers. Park near the Presidio Officers’ Club at 50 Moraga Avenue. More information: (415) 561-5500 or www.presidio.gov.