Community Briefs provides a listing of events and activities going on around the Oakdale, Riverbank and Escalon areas. We welcome submissions of one-time or ongoing gatherings in the region. To have an event featured, call 209-847-3021 or e-mail the information to mjackson@oakdaleleader.com.
Ice Cream Social
It’s still a few weeks away but members of the Escalon United Methodist Church are preparing for their annual Ice Cream Social, open to all and scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 15. Hours for the event are 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.; the church is at 2000 Jackson Ave., Escalon, and this festive gathering features a variety of homemade ice creams and desserts. No charge to attend but donations are accepted. Come enjoy some freshly made ice cream and other sweet treats while visiting with friends and neighbors.
Park Music
Just two more summer musical Friday evenings are on the schedule in Oakdale. The festive Concerts in the Park series will run on July 24 and July 31. Concerts are staged at Dorada Park, 600 N. Second Ave., Oakdale. Concert attendees can stake out their spot on the lawn at Dorada Park starting Fridays at 5 p.m.; food trucks and vendors will already be in place and open for business. The opening act takes the stage at 6 p.m., with the headliner performance starting at 6:45 p.m. Concerts typically run until about 9 p.m.; this year’s series is presented by Love Oakdale. On July 24 enjoy Weekend at Jimmy’s with Aidyn Davis opening; and on July 31 the series closes out with the Alex Lucero Band with Scotch Beck opening. There will also be a selection of food trucks, for both dinner and dessert, available on site and Dying Breed will be in the park with a variety of cold brews for sale.
Dancing Fun
The Riverbank-based Golden Agers dance group is always looking to expand its membership. They meet at the Riverbank Community Center on Wednesdays, 10 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., with dancing, socializing, live music and fun for all. All adults 55-plus are welcome. Just drop in to check it out or become a member. Fees are $5 for members and $6 for non-members. Membership is $15. The Community Center is at 3600 Santa Fe St., Riverbank.
Oakdale Market
Each Saturday morning, Love Oakdale presents the Oakdale Morning Market, situated along North Third Avenue and featuring a wide variety of vendors. Food and beverage booths, fresh fruits and vegetables, unique merchandise, live music, a kids area for projects and activities, a special section featuring the work of young entrepreneurs and more are included. Hours for the weekly Saturday market are 8 a.m. to 11 a.m., which continues through Sept. 26.
Fun Bunch Walkers
All area senior citizens are welcome to join the Escalon Senior Fun Bunch walkers, known as the Senior Steppers, as they gather for their regular walks. The group meets every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at the Bob and Dena Lease Park in Escalon, at the corner of Justin Drive and Mission Street at 9 a.m. This is a lighthearted group whose members love to get together and walk with others, enjoy some conversation and exercise. All are welcome to join the walking group during any or all of their scheduled walks during the week.
Tuesday Evenings
The final summertime Tuesday Night Market in Riverbank is scheduled for Tuesday, July 28. All are encouraged to visit the market to check out the food booths, vendor items, produce offerings and more. The market night is hosted at the Plaza del Rio downtown at Santa Fe and Third; running from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Enjoy The Jam
The ‘Jammers’ are a loosely knit group of local musicians who gather regularly to play and share music. Members of The Jammers set up and play at Medlen’s House of Beef in Oakdale, on the patio, the second and fourth Saturdays of each month. The fun begins around 3 p.m. and typically continues until about 6 p.m., a full afternoon of music. Acoustic musicians are welcome to come and play. Featured instruments usually include guitar, fiddle, banjo, ukulele, etc. The public is welcome to stop by, listen to the music and even sing along. No cost to attend.
Museum Happenings
Members of the Escalon Historical Society Museum welcome all area residents to stop by and tour the museum, at 1630 Main St., Escalon, to learn about local history and browse the gift shop items. The regular museum hours are Wednesdays and Saturdays, noon to 4 p.m. Also, a reminder that the first Wednesday of each month is designated as Reminisce Day with attendees encouraged to share stories from the community’s past, with refreshments served. The July 1 Reminisce Day focused on the history of the Dugo family, bringing dozens of people in to the museum. The next Reminisce Day will be hosted on Aug. 5.
Weight Loss
The area’s TOPS (Taking Off Pounds Sensibly) weight loss support group members meet in Oakdale every Monday morning from 8:30 a.m. to 10 a.m.; the meeting is at 7450 River Road, Suite 4, Oakdale. This group is open to the public and anyone interested in improving their life by losing weight. Visit the website: www.tops.org for more information and to see a list of other meeting locations.
Brennan’s Parlor
The ‘lads and lasses’ of Brennan’s Parlor host a monthly Irish music jam (aka “Ceilidh”) in the back room of the H Bar B Saloon, 401 E. F St., Oakdale. Gatherings are on the third Monday of the month, and run from 6 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. They welcome anyone – players, singers, or listeners – with an appreciation for Celtic music to join the fun.
Widowed Persons
Open to those throughout the area, the Oakdale Widowed Persons Group invites you to join them the first Saturday of each month for breakfast at 9 a.m. and on the third Tuesday of each month for lunch at 1 p.m.; call for locations. All are welcome to join the group no matter how long ago you lost your spouse. For more information, contact Barbara at 209-318-5100.
