Social Media Bootcamp
May 8
Calling all restaurants, retailers, non-profits, and entrepreneurs! Visit Stockton presents Social Media Bootcamp, a series teaching local businesses how to increase their social media and online presence. Titled “Digital Marketing Trends and Best Practices”, this final chapter in the series shares the latest research in the world of digital marketing, as well as tips to elevate your business’ Facebook and Instagram pages. If you’re looking to revamp your business’ online presence, you won’t want to miss this! The Reserve at Spanos Park, 6301 West 8 Mile Rd., Stockton, (209) 938-1555, VisitStockton.org
CCAA Baseball Tournament
May 9-12
Head out to Banner Island Ballpark to watch the top six teams in the final CCAA standings battle it out to see who’s really top dog in California. In this six-team double-elimination event, teams will be competing to win both the Conference’s Championship banner and an automatic qualification for the NCAA Division II Baseball West Region Tournament. With high stakes and big fun, this Tournament is a must-see. Banner Island Ballpark, 404 W. Fremont St., Stockton, (925) 472-8299, GoCCAA.org
Feast at the Fox
May 11
Feast in the spirit San Joaquin Valley’s nickname “breadbasket of the world” at downtown Stockton’s farm-to-table dining experience. The menu features an exquisite five-course meal curated by local chefs, with ingredients harvested from San Joaquin County farmers’ fields. With live entertainment and a silent auction, there’s no better way to stoke your local pride than to attend this scrumptious event. Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main St., (209) 938-1555, StocktonLive.com
Wildlife Tour with Headwaters Kayak
May 12
Explore the wildlife of the beautiful Mokelumne River with wildlife-expert Bill Beckett, discovering all the birds, mammals, and plant life that call the river home. Watching the sun rise over the riverbanks and listening to the musical sounds of morning, this paddle is the perfect start to a relaxing Spring day. Lodi Lake Boat House, 1101 W. Turner Rd., Lodi, (209) 224-8367, HeadwatersKayak.com
Ducky Derby
May 12
Head down to McLeod lake of downtown Stockton for a rubber ducky race that will put our bathtubs to shame! Thousands of numbered rubber ducks will race—or bob—through the lake in an epic battle of wills. If your child’s rubber duck is among the first ten ducks to finish, they’ll win a prize—first place wins $1,000! All proceeds from the race will benefit the Child Abuse Prevention Council of San Joaquin County. McLeod Lake, 221 N. Center St., Stockton, (209) 464-4524, NoChildAbuse.org
Pink Floyd Concert Experience
May 12
Experience the Pink Floyd tribute that San Francisco Chronicle calls “One of the best Pink Floyd shows we’ve seen!” Starring House of Floyd, a tribute band known for their uncanny ability to capture the essence of all the different Pink Floyd eras, and featuring an epic light show, this concert experience is sure to take your lost soul back to proverbial fish bowl of the 1970’s. Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main St., Stockton, (800) 724-3000, StocktonLive.com
Port City Roller Girls Derby Bout
May 12
Get in on the four-wheeled-action and give a cheer for the girls in green and black! The Port City Roller Girls are back for their 11th season of Roller Derby, and this is looking to be their most rough-and-tumble one yet. Grab a couple of friends, head down to the Indoor Sports Complex, and rage with our girls against the opposition! Stockton Indoor Sports Complex, 3251 Ad Art Rd., Stockton, (888) 993-3729, PortCityRollerGirls.net
NCAA Men’s DI Regional Golf Tournament
May 14-16
Witness firsthand one of the biggest golf events to hit the Central Valley! With about 14 teams and 10 individual competitors from colleges across the country competing for a chance at the national championships, tensions will be high, making this Tournament one you won’t want to miss. The Reserve at Spanos Park, 6301 West Eight Mile Rd., Stockton, (209) 938-1555, ReserveAtSpanosPark.com
Zinfest Wine Festival
May 18, 19, 20
Celebrate the true spirit of Lodi and savor the fruits of local vines from over 40 wineries. With over 200 handcrafted varieties to choose from, pour yourself a glass of Zinfandel and enjoy three full days of food, live music, and local vendors along the banks of the Mokelumne River. With a BBQ Demonstration and a wine-barrel boat race, this is sure to be the best Zinfest yet! Lodi Lake Park, 1101 E. Turner Rd., Lodi, (209) 365-0621, LodiWine.com
7th Annual Golden State Pinball Festival
May 18, 19, 20
Bring your kids to a festival they won’t forget! The Golden State Pinball Festival is back and better than ever with pinball tournaments, classes, and workshops, not to mention hundreds of pinball machines on free play with admission. On Saturday and Sunday, there’s even a drawing for your very own pinball machine! With all proceeds benefitting the World of Wonders Science Museum, this is one festival you won’t want to miss. Lodi Grape Festival Grounds, 413 E. Lockeford St., Lodi, (209) 368-0969, GoldenStatePinball.org
Linden Cherry Festival
May 19
It’s a family affair at the Cherry Capital of the World! Enjoy live bands, car shows, vendors, and, of course, fresh, locally-grown Bing cherries! With a parade in the morning and numerous games and fair rides for the kids to enjoy throughout the day, attending this Festival is a Spring tradition for families across the San Joaquin Valley. Linden Elementary School Grounds, 18100 E. Front Street, Linden, (209) 547-3046, LindenPetersChamberofCommerce.WildApricot.org
Children & Youth Day at Pixie Woods
May 19
Free admission, fun and games, and permission to dress up as your favorite superhero? Now, that’s an event that excites the kid in all of us. Head on down to Pixie Woods for an enchanting day of magical train rides, paddle-wheel boating, and much more. And don’t forget to bring the kids! Pixie Woods at Louis Park, 3121 Monte Diablo Avenue, Stockton, (209) 461-2602, VisitStockton.org
A Tribute to Abba
May 19
Awaken your inner dancing queen at this ABBA Concert Experience! Show of your disco dance moves as you groove to the pop Super Group’s most beloved hits, such as One of Us, Mamma Mia, and Take A Chance on Me. The eight-piece production show “SuperTrouper” will recreate all the lights and costumes of original ABBA shows, so be sure to wear your bellbottoms as you dance and sing along to this nostalgic performance! Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main St., Stockton, (209) 373-1400, StocktonLive.com
Lil Mud Runner
May 20
Get muddy—really, really muddy—in Central Valley’s original kid’s mud run event. In this one-mile obstacle course, your kids will slip, slide and crawl to their heart’s content through the slick mud, and the best part is, parents can join in, too! Accompanying the obstacle course, there’s also a carnival to fill the day with endless fun! Eagal Lakes Resort, 12 W Lorenzen Rd, Tracy, (209) 640-4252, EagalLakes.com
Classic Movie: “Oklahoma!”
May 20
Break out the popcorn and rose-colored goggles, it’s a classic movie night at the Bob-Hope theatre! Originally released in 1955, “Oklahoma!” was Rodgers and Hammerstein’s first collaboration, and arguably set the standard and established rules of musical theater still being followed today. Follow the love story of Curly and Laurey as they learn the laws of their own hearts in this unforgettable classic! Bob Hope Theatre, 242 E. Main St., Stockton, (800) 724-3000, StocktonLive.com
West Coast Conference Baseball Championship
May 23-26
Head down to Banner Island Ballpark to watch the leading baseball teams compete for the top spot at this exciting conference. Consisting of ten schools including Pepperdine, Saint Mary’s, San Francisco, our very own University of the Pacific, this championship is bound to be a close one! Banner Island Ballpark, 404 W. Fremont St., Stockton, (209) 644-1900, StocktonPorts.com
“Ain’t Misbehavin’”
June 1
Jump, jive, and swing to the tune of the Harlem Renaissance in the 1920s and 30s! This three-time Tony award-winning musical celebrates the music of Thomas “Fats” Waller, whose musical technique laid the groundwork for modern jazz piano. In this humorous, sultry, soulful performance, follow the story of five characters who live and breathe the jazzy world of Harlem, New York. Showbiz Theatre Company, 1744 Pacific Ave., Stockton, (209) 938-0447, ShowbizTheatre.org
Annual Temple Israel Jewish Food Fair
June 3
Join the entire membership of Temple Israel and enjoy the food, live music, and dancing of this vibrant cultural affair. Attracting hundreds of visitors from Stockton and beyond, this fair offers such delicious foods as corned beef sandwiches, bagels with lox, and Café Shalom Desserts. After lunch, Valley Brew will be hosting a MicroBrew tasting! Temple Israel Stockton, 5105 N. El Dorado St., Stockton, (209) 477-9306, TempleIsraelStockton.com