Top 5
1.) ‘Big River’ musical opens: San Benito Stage’s Company’s “Big River – The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” opens Friday night for a four-weekend run in July. The cast includes actors from ages 8 to 70s, with stellar music and a great set. Performances are July 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 12, 27 and 28 at 7 p.m., with Sunday matinees July 8 and 22, at 2 p.m., at the Granada Theater, 336 Fifth St., in Hollister. Tickets are $16 for adults, $13 for students or seniors. Group four-packs of tickets are available through advanced purchase at $42. Tickets can be purchased at San Benito Bene, 831-638-1188, Postal Graphics, at 831-636-3787 or from the San Benito Stage Company, 831-636-0122.
2.) Blenheim Apricot Celebration: The very short season for fresh apricots starts this week. Celebrate locally grown foods with Slow Food San Benito Bounty on July 7, from 1 to 5 p.m. Guests are invited to Quicksilver Farm & School of Husbandry, 141 McMahon Road, in Hollister, for a barbecue that will include lamb and fresh apricot pies. Guests can pick apricots, learn how to make a pie and visit with animals. The meal is served at 2:30 p.m. and guests can join Slow Food San Benito Bounty for #25 a person or donate $10 per person to the efforts of the nonprofit group. RSVP to [email protected] or call Nants Foley at 801-5110.
3.) Hike the Anza Trail: Ranger-led hikes will be held along the Anza Trail along the Old Stage Coach Road portion of the trail in San Juan Bautista. The hikes will begin at 8 a.m. at the trailhead, on July 7, 13 and 21. The program is a partnership between the National Parks Service, Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail, and the California State Parks, San Juan Bautista Historic Park.
4.) Living History Days: The San Juan Bautista Historic Park will also host a Living History Day July 7, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., where visitors can learn about the region’s history from docents dressed in period costumes. Details: 831-623-4881 or www.nps.gov/juba
5.) Enjoy meditative music and chanting: St. Luke’s Church, 720 Monterey Street, Hollister, will host a taize around the labyrinth event where guests can enjoy outdoor jazz guitar and chant with an opportunity to walk the labyrinth, a spiraling path that is a metaphor for the spiritual journey.