With gas prices rising and the cost of everything else seeming
to rise at the same time, this week I would like to toss out a
couple of ideas for having inexpensive fun right here in San Benito
County.
With gas prices rising and the cost of everything else seeming to rise at the same time, this week I would like to toss out a couple of ideas for having inexpensive fun right here in San Benito County.
Depending on where you live, the first one may not involve an internal combustion engine at all. Go to downtown Hollister (why not ride your bikes, or walk?) and check out the Hollister Downtown Association’s Charming Chairs exhibition.
The HDA rounded up a group of creative souls (full disclosure: I’m one of them) to paint chairs that are now on display at various businesses along San Benito and Fifth streets. The chairs are part of a silent auction, so if you wish to bid on a chair, you add your name and the price you’re willing to pay to the clipboard tied to each one.
My chair is in front of Nino Realty at 829 San Benito St. Even if you choose not to bid on my chair (although I can’t imagine why you wouldn’t) there are lots of cool entries, and one is sure to fit your decor.
The proceeds will be split between the HDA Endowment Fund and the Community Pantry Capital Campaign.
This weekend, the chairs will move to Bolado Park where they will be on display along with quilts at the Springtime in the Pinnacles Quilt Show, also organized by the HDA. Winners of the silent auction for the chairs will be announced on April 20.
I will have to learn the results of the silent auction afterward, because this Saturday I am joining a group in burning some jet fuel (sorry) to visit Verrado, the DMB development in Arizona that is similar to its proposed El Rancho San Benito here. I promise to return with a candid commentary.
Then next weekend, the 26th and 27th, the mountain men, vagabonds, renegades and stragglers will be camped once again at the San Benito County Historical Park, a mile south of Tres Pinos.
These are the folks who were roaming around California, looking for pelts, gold and trouble, when it was still a colony of Spain and then part of Mexico. At their encampment you will see how they lived, prepared food, made tools and panned for gold. You’ll be able to learn what different animal skins look like and how they were trapped.
Families with children are especially welcome, and it’s always a treat to watch children’s eyes widen as they see a historical figure “for real.”
The Historical Park also displays numerous buildings from the early settlement of the county that have been accurately restored by San Benito County Historical Park volunteers. Wandering in and around the old buildings always brings a sense of calm and gratitude, as our glimpse of the plain life of the past reminds us it doesn’t take a lot of “stuff” to make a place cozy.
There is no charge to visit the encampment or historical buildings, except a small parking fee. But since you’re riding your bikes, that won’t be a problem, right? Bring hot dogs or something to grill and soft drinks since there are grills and picnic tables available.
