Explore these fun activities in and around Monterey and Santa Cruz Counties for the month of August.
AUGUST 6: NATIONAL NIGHT OUT. There will be live music, food, and other organizations taking part in this community-driven event. Come by Caledonia Park to take part. pacificgrove.org
AUGUST 10: MONTEREY BAY PARENT BACK TO SCHOOL BASH. Join our event sponsors: Del Monte Shopping Center, Stanford Medicine Children’s Heath, Taylor Farms, ISR Monterey Bay, and Monterey Sports Center at The Back to School Bash at Del Monte Center in Monterey. You’ll find vendors with the info you need for the school year, free activities including face painting, balloon sculptures, arts & crafts, giveaways and much more. We’ll have sports bottle and reusable shopping bags for your family. montereybayparent.com
AUGUST 14: THE LITTLE CAR SHOW. Part of the Monterey Peninsula’s Car Week festivities, The Little Car Show in downtown Pacific Grove showcases 125 vehicles 25 years and older and features multi-marque mini, micro, steam, electric, and arcane vehicles. thelittlecarshow.com
AUGUST 15: PAC REP PRESENTS THE WIZARD OF OZ. Follow the yellow brick road with Dorothy, Toto, the Cowardly Lion, Scarecrow, and Tin Man this summer. Held Thursday-Sunday through Sept. 22. pacrep.org/the-wizard-of-oz
AUGUST 17: 2ND ANNUAL BACK TO SCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE. Free parent workshops, resource tables, lunch included. Free event sponsored by Special Kids Connect. specialkidsconnect.org
AUGUST 23: OLD FASHIONED CAMPFIRE. Old Fashioned Campfires are for folks and families of all ages. The community is invited to Mission State Park for an evening of tortilla making (masa and cooking fire provided–you bring the toppings!) live music from local bands, and classic times around the campfire. You’ll enjoy campfire songs, funny skits, and stories as the sun sets over Santa Cruz. This is a free event, no registration is required. parks.ca.gov/?page_id=29867
AUGUST 24-25: WEST END CELEBRATION. Dozens of local non-profit and eco-friendly businesses, and the food and beverage industry gather to celebrate the arts and community. Over 150 vendors, artists and organizations exhibit over the weekend. Six blocks within Sand City are closed off and the streets are transformed into pedestrian galleries and sidewalk theater for visual and performing artists. Live music fills the air from three stages showcasing local and regional acts with state of the art sound quality–all as you stroll by vendors and open galleries. westendcelebration.com
AUGUST 25: TOUCH-A-TRUCK. Children and adults can climb onto a big rig and explore a fire engine. They can learn about CPR, build a toy vehicle, and enjoy carnival games all while enjoying tasty treats. The event has grown from a grassroots effort to an eagerly anticipated community event. coastalkidshomecare.org/events/touch-a-truck-salinas
AUGUST 29: MONTEREY COUNTY FAIR OPENS. Five days of great fair fun returns to the Monterey County Fairgrounds. Enjoy rides, concerts, rodeo, fair food and
carnival fun! montereycountyfair.com