Saturday, May 25, 2013

The Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras Festival


MORGAN HILL, CA – The Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras Festival, now in its 33rd year of turning Memorial Day weekend into a celebration of the mushroom, has unveiled its plans for the free May 26-27 festival in south Santa Clara County.

            The two-day festival of family-fun includes live entertainment on two stages, arts and crafts, gourmet offerings, mushroom educational exhibit, chef demonstrations, strolling musicians, street performers, and several city blocks of booths with “finds” that include everything from carved wooden mushrooms to news that you can use. Munchkin Land is on track to captivate kids with rides, games and continuous entertainment.
 

            The mushroom is the festival star, which can be tasted in soup, stuffed, sandwiched, deep-fried, marinated, over rice, and much more. Local mushrooms growers are hosting educational exhibits on how mushrooms grow and the latest nutrition research and the availability of just-picked, locally grown Portabella, Crimini and white mushrooms – the ultimate take-home souvenir.

California ranks second in the nation in mushroom production, and more than 60% of those mushrooms are grown in Santa Clara and Monterey counties.

            Wide ranging food choices, such as local BBQ and fruits hand-dipped in chocolate, are available in food booths throughout the festival and in nearby restaurants.

Entertainment headliners will be Evolution, with their Journey tribute; and the popular Joe Sharino Band. Music, on two stages for listening or dancing, will include zydeco, classic rock and the blues of the local favorite Red Beans & Rice.
 

Back by popular demand is the announcement of Ms. Mushroom and Mr. Fungi winners of a broadcast competition sponsored by MHAT local cable access. Street performers include the Mama’s Wranglers (formerly Kid Fiddlers), who will roam the town with Jimbo the Clown, Monty the Mushroom, minstrels, jugglers, jesters and a walker.

Shoppers can entertain themselves for hours browsing fine arts, handmade crafts, jewelry, clothing, home and garden wares and marketplace vendors. Specialty shops and merchants in Morgan Hill’s charming downtown area are only a short walk.   

Saturday morning will also feature the fruit and vegetable stands at the weekly Morgan Hill Farmers Market from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on Depot St., between Main & Second Sts.

Munchkin Land has planned entertainment for kids of all ages. Youngsters will have rides, games, a petting zoo and pony rides, as well as children’s entertainment on the Munchkin Land Stage. Older kids are more likely to gravitate to the rock climbing wall or Eurobungy trampolines. The children’s area is located on Depot St., between Second and Third Sts.

Merchants in the Commercial Exhibit on Depot St. will offer special rates, deals and giveaways on their services.

In addition to no charge for admission, parking is free in surrounding parking lots and throughout downtown Morgan Hill. Hours are 10 a.m.-7 p.m. on Saturday and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. on Sunday. For information call (408) 778-1786 or go to www.mhmmg.com.

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Located in downtown Morgan Hill, California, the Morgan Hill Mushroom Mardi Gras Festival is held Memorial Day weekend each year. Attendance estimates are about 70,000 visitors over the two-day event. The mission of the Mushroom Mardi Gras Festival (a non-profit 501(c)3 corporation), is to provide a fun and entertaining family festival with an emphasis on promoting the mushroom and educating consumers about the health benefits of mushrooms, all while financially awarding scholarships to high school seniors living within the boundaries of the Morgan Hill Unified School District and monetary donations to local non-profit clubs and organizations. The Festival has awarded over $700,000 in scholarships and over $350,000 to local non-profits over the past 32 years.

 

A Media Center with news releases, fact sheets and images for download is available to the news media from the home page of www.mhmmg.com.

Sunday, May 19, 2013



Festivals Going On In San Jose for the Month of May through August


 
 
Summertime is approaching fast. San Jose California has festivals and events going on for the months of May through August. There are festivals and events for all ages. Put your sunscreen on, pack up the kids get out of the house and enjoy the list of festivals and events below that are going on for the months of May through August in San Jose.

Simply Mumbai Party - 2nd Annual Glitz & Glamour Event
Friday, May 17 9:00pm Madhuban Restaurant & Ultra Lounge San Jose CA

The 12th Annual Celebration of The Bay Area After-School All-Stars
Sunday, May 19 3:00pm Cinnabar Hills Golf Club San Jose, CA


The 2nd Annual San Jose Taco Festival of Innovation Presented by Moveable Feast
Saturday, May 25 11:00am History Park San Jose CA.

San Jose Juneteenth Festival
Saturday, Jun 15 10:00am Discovery Meadows Park San Jose, CA

Post People Possibilities - A Sci Fi Art Exhibition
Friday, Jun 7 9:00am TechShop San Jose CA


San Jose Super Toy, Comic Book & Collectible Show
Saturday, Aug 17 11:00a to 4:30pm Santa Clara County Fairgrounds San Jose, CA