May News

May is the month to move outdoors. The snows are melting, the rivers are running. The oak trees are leafed out and give good shade. With the warm weather, white flower spikes cover the buckeye trees, attracting bees and hummingbirds. The evenings are cool and days are warm and sunny.

It's a good time to start planning for outdoor activities such as golfing, hiking, camping, cycling, horseback riding, boating and fishing, backpacking, tenting and RVing. The enthusiasts are out there already! Click on Rafting, Parks & Recreation, Lake Tahoe or Hotels, Motels & Campgrounds to access a wide gamut of summer activities and lodging. Be sure to reserve early for the peak summer vacation period.

With its lakes, mountains and rivers, and vast areas of national forest, El Dorado County is an ideal place for outdoor adventure. For family vacations, South Lake Tahoe has a plentiful choice of campgrounds, cabins, motels, hotels and B&Bs. You can also find family fun at the Sly Park Recreation Area or the Ghost Mountain Ranch, both in Pollock Pines; at the KOA campground in Shingle Springs; or by the American River in Coloma, where something gleaming was found in the tailrace of Sutter's Mill on a January day in 1848.

May is a great month for river sports. Click on Rafting to find outfitters who organize trips on the South Fork of the American River, starting from Coloma or Chili Bar. Check out their half-day, whole day or weekend trips.

May Events
County businesses and nonprofits are geared up for a full summer of entertainment. Highlights below:

Classic Car Show
The Hangtown Customs and Classics show, May 16 on Placerville's Historic Main Street is a must for anyone who loves old cars, especially when they are all shined up. COOL 101.9 will be there, so if you're an "Oldies" fan, tune in. Or call (530) 626-9586. See you there!

Art, Wine, Gardens, Fine Dining
-Wine and Art Festival, May 11, 5-9 p.m., Shingle Springs. For information visit www.placerville-downtown.org or call (530) 677-5705.
-Art Auction and Wine Tasting, May 11, 6-8:30 p.m., Chablis Gallery, Main Street, Placerville. Benefit for the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce Education Council's scholarship program. Call (530) 621-5885.
-Third Saturday Nitelife Art Walk, May 18, 6-9 p.m., Main Street, Placerville. For information call (530) 642-2182.
-Annual Artist and Collector's Garden Tour (self-guided) on May 19 from 10-5 p.m. (pick up tickets in Placerville or call 530-626-1148)
-Winemaker's Dinner at the Barkley Historic Homestead in Fair Play on May 31 (reservations required. Call 1-800-704-WINE).

Weekdays are also a good time to tour El Dorado County wineries and galleries as many are open throughout the week. Check out locations, directions and eating places at www.visit-eldorado.com before you go.

For Kids and Merrymaking Parents
The Renaissance May Faire on May 18-19 offers games like "Drench the Wench" and "the Seven Feats of Courage". Mediaeval fight demonstrations; puppet shows; singers, dancers, jugglers-and a 24-foot fire-breathing dragon.
For younger children and toddlers, a Parents' Glen offers pony rides, a petting zoo, art, bubbles and similar activities.
The Cedar Springs Waldorf School are putting on the event on Saturday, May 18 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, May 19 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at the El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100, Placerville Drive. For information, go to www.cedarspringsonline.com, or call (530) 642-9903.

Orchards, Ranches, Farmers' Markets
Click on Farm Trails or Apple Hill for maps and details on where to buy fresh agricultural products and baked goods, or where to pick your own. Ask for their guides to the county's agricultural sites. The Placerville Farmers' Market opens in mid-May at the Ivy House Parking Area, Corner of Cedar Ravine and Main Street (near the Placerville Coffee House). This is a great place to shop for fresh produce on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to Noon. Farmers' markets in Cameron Park, El Dorado Hills and South Lake Tahoe open in June. Click on Farm Trails, then on Certified Farmers' Markets. Among this month's fresh finds will be luscious strawberries and red, ripe cherries.

May Events

June Events

July Events

Coming this summer!!! Visitors Guide. An Introduction to El Dorado County. Check ad on our website in June!!! Small fee may apply. Everything you wanted to know about shopping, arts and crafts, history, events, accommodations, directions, recreation, relocation and more. A PRINTED GUIDE WITH GORGEOUS COLOR ILLUSTRATIONS, EASY TO CARRY WITH YOU AND CONSULT WHEN YOU NEED IT. See why we use the slogan "Above it All" when referring to this diverse and wonderful region.

Coming soon!!! Introduction to El Dorado County: A compact disc (CD) to keep and show. Good for Corporate Retreats, Family Reunions, Promotional purposes, Tourism. Use it to plan your events and travel or for your personal enjoyment.

A Good Old Down-Home County Fair
-the El Dorado County Fair will be held June 13 to 16 at the Fairgrounds and has something for the entire family. Fun rides, food, games, demonstrations, livestock and more. This year's theme: "It's As American as Apple Pie." For information, visit www.eldoradocountyfair.org or call (530) 621-5860.

For Wine and Beer Aficionados
-The Fair Play Winery Association's Annual Fair Play Festival takes place on two weekends, June 1-2 and June 8-9. For information, visit www.fairplaywine.com.
-The Placerville Bell Tower Brewfest is June 29 from 6-9 p.m. on Historic Main Street, Placerville. Local merchants offer beer tasting and snacks. Live music can be heard up and down the street. Sponsored by the Placerville Downtown Association, www.placerville-downtown.org, call (530) 672-3436.

Historical Re-enactments
There are three events not to be missed this month.
-The Annual Wagon Train Parade takes place in Downtown Placerville at 2 p.m. on June 8. The Wagon Train, with horsedrawn wagons and "immigrants" in 19th century costumes, leaves Dayton, Nevada on May 30 and travels over the Sierras to the El Dorado County seat. The Hangtown Posse, (530) 626-1996, sponsors the historic ride. Call (530) 621-5885 for details of other events planned for the June 8-9 weekend. Visit their website: www.hangtownposse.org
-The Pony Express Reride starts in Sacramento this year, then relay riders carry the mail nonstop, 24 hours a day, 2000 miles East to Missouri. Over 500 riders and horses will take part. Be at the El Dorado Chamber of Commerce, 542 Main Street, Placerville, at 9.45 p.m. on June 11 to witness the first exchange.
-The American Civil War Reenactment at Ghost Mountain Ranch in Pollock Pines, June 21-23. Two opposing brigades (Union and Confederate) set up camp Friday evening. Saturday they hold skirmishes, brigade drills etc., with living history demonstrations. More on Sunday. Click on www.ghostmountainranch.com for information or call (530) 644-7643.

While you're thinking history, check out the activities at the Marshall Gold Discovery State Historical Park. In the birthplace of the Gold Rush, there's always something interesting going on.

Thanks for the tea!! The Junior Ambassadors Scholarship Spring Tea at the Coloma Country Inn was the most successful yet. Proceeds will go toward a scholarship for one of the Chamber of Commerce's Junior Ambassadors. The Junior Ambassadors is a community service group of the El Dorado County Chamber of Commerce. The program welcomes young men and women between the ages of 14 and 18 who attend an El Dorado County high schools and maintain at least a 3. GPA, and who are students in good standing. Junior Ambassadors volunteer time in the Chamber office in order to gain experience in the business world, tourism and film industries. Look for this charming event (tea on the lawn, carriage rides, an inn tour) same time, same place next year. Thanks to all who made it happen. A special thanks to event host Candie Bliss, owner of the Coloma Country Inn, and to Waldith Graham, who donated the Victorian Doll House for the raffle.