Spring Celebrations

Photo Credit: White and Woodgrain, Pinterest

May 2023

Community

"What life expects of us is that we celebrate." — José Eduardo Agualusa

Life shouldn’t be all work and no play! Why is celebrating important? We work hard to accomplish our dreams - And with our sights often set on the end goal, it’s easy to spend most of our time working towards success and neglecting the fun side of life. After so much hard work, we deserve a little celebrating every once in a while!

Since the month of May has a long-standing history as a time for historical and familial celebrations, there's no better time to talk about the many ways to celebrate the wonderful people in your life and to honor the memory of those who lost their lives while defending our great nation.

MEMORIAL DAY WEEKEND

For the majority of us, Memorial Day is a 3-day weekend filled with barbeques, friends and family. But for many, it's much more than that - Memorial Day is a American holiday honoring the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. While made an official federal holiday in 1971, many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, it marks the beginning of the summer season. If you, like the millions of Americans out there find yourself ready to kick off Summer with a Memorial Day celebration, here are a few ways to get started:

Local Events, Butte County

The Silver Dollar Fair Western & Carnival Nights: For those of you staying in Butte County for Memorial Day, there are a few activities worth checking out! The Silver Dollar Fair Western & Carnival Nights kicks off Thursday, May 25th and lasts through Memorial Day, May 31st. You'll find carnival games and rides, endless food options, a bull and bronc cute out, concerts, brass band, tractor pull, and more!

Visit: Thursday & Friday from 4pm-11pm / Saturday & Sunday: Noon-11pm / Monday: Noon-10pm

Consider visiting the fair on Monday evening when the sky above the Grandstands lights up with a fireworks display that will please the whole family! The fireworks can also be enjoyed from the road behind the Silver Dollar Fairgrounds - bring your friends, family and a folding chair and make yourself comfortable. The fireworks show will start at approximately 9:15pm.

Also not to be missed, the weekend concert series featuring a different recording artist every night!

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Kicking off the weekend concert series Thursday night at 9pm are Grammy Award winning rock legends Blood, Sweat & Tears.

Locally born and raised in Paradise, country music recording artist Nate Smith will take the stage Friday evening. After his song "Wildfire" went viral on TikTok in 2020, he signed a publishing deal with Sony/ATV. Don't miss this special opportunity to show your support for a Butte County local!

Ned LeDoux, country music singer and songwriter, takes the stage for our final night of concerts Saturday evening.

SACRAMENTO RIVER FLOAT, Chico

Maybe you’d like to spend a nice relaxing day on the river? One of the most popular activities in Chico is without a doubt the Sacramento River float. You need to do some planning to make sure you're prepared though...

1. Figure out your exit point - If you're looking for a float that will only take around 2-3 hours, it is recommended to exit at the boat launch near Scotty's Landing. If you're looking to extend your float by a few hours, you'll want to continue past Scotty's and float down to the locally famous 'washout' beach. Right before reaching the boat launch at Scotty's, there is a small stretch of beach on the left-hand side dubbed 'beer can beach'. It is a great place to stop and stretch your legs on land. I highly recommend eating some lunch here and re-applying sunscreen if you're planning to continue the float down to washout.

2. Now that you've determined your exit point, you will need to strategically place your cars to make sure you have one at both the drop in and exit points - Uber drivers will not be thrilled to haul you and your wet gear in their cars, so make sure to take the part seriously so you're not walking back to Chico!

One car will need to be left at the exit point near Scotty's (it's technically called the Pine Creek Access) or at Washout. Parking for Washout is across from the Big Chico Creek access point on River Road and is unmarked. Unless you are there early, chances are parking will be very hard to find, so I recommend getting started early! Both exit points offer parking without a fee.

Scotty’s Boat Launch, River Road, Chico. Photo Credit: April Haupert

3. Now that you have secured a way to leave, the fun begins! You will take a short drive up River Road and head to the Irving Finch Boat Launch on Highway 32, right before you reach Hamilton City. This will require a small fee to park so bring cash, but you can leave your car for the length of your float and pick it up when you’re finished. Here you can inflate your tubes and sunscreen up. I recommend the River Rat tube - it's durable and keeps you mostly out of the water. Any sporting goods store in town will have them. The river is COLD! You will not want to spend the entirety of the float submerged in the water - even on the hottest days.

SAFETY! While the water typically moves relatively slowly, with the amount of rain and show run off from this past Winter, the water will be higher, faster and colder than usual. Even if you are comfortable and experienced in the water, it is still important to take all precautions to keep you and your group safe. Wearing a properly fitting lifejacket is always recommended when on the water, whether an adult or child. Before venturing out please visit the National Park Services Water Safety Guide to learn more about water safety. Always take water activities seriously - if you are not comfortable in the water, do not go!

LAST MINUTE GETAWAYS

If you're looking to get out of town for the long-weekend, but don't want to commit to going too far, the Bay Area is full of sights and activities that you can get to within just a few hours. If you are a history buff or would like to spend some time this Memorial Day remembering the soldiers whose lives have been lost in battle, there are a few places you might like to visit in San Francisco.

The Presidio, San Francisco. Photo Credit: Will Elder

The Presidio: Located at the foot of the Golden Gate Bridge, The Presidio is home to one of the nation's most remarkable collections of forts, landscapes, buildings, structures and artifacts related to military history. It also houses the oldest national cemetery on the West Coast, the San Francisco National Cemetery. Today The Presidio is not only a National Historic Site, but home to recreational activities, residential and commercial businesses, as well as the famed Walt Disney Family Museum.

Located within the Presidio, Fort Point National Historic Site was planned as the 'most formidable deterrence America could offer against a naval attack on California', according to the National Park Service. Since it's construction was completed in 1861, Fort Point has witnessed Civil War, the 1906 earthquake, the construction of the Golden Gate bridge (that almost ended in the Fort's demise) and finally preservation as a National Historic Site in October of 1970. Located in The Presidio, guests can join park rangers for 15-minute talk about the Forts history three times a day - 11:30am, 1:30pm and 2:30pm. For an extra special experience, visitors can sign up for the 'Candlelight Tour' which takes guests on a 90-minute walking tour of the sites unique structure. Make sure to snap a photo of the Golden Gate's glimmering lights as it towers over your head - what a sight!

If you are travelling with kids, it's very likely they will need to get some energy out after a busy morning of sightseeing. Since you're already in the Presidio, stop at Tunnel Tops Park. Featuring 14 acres of natural landscaping and a new playground constructed from natural materials, kids and adults can climb boulders and scale fallen tree logs. There is an art facility as well as a "field station" where visitors can examine animal bones and check out the scientific tools used to study nature.

The USS Hornet, Alameda. Photo Credit: Expedia

Alameda: Let’s take a quick detour across the Bay Bridge and head over to Alameda for the next stop, a visit to the USS Hornet. The USS Hornet is a US Navy air craft carrier built during World War II. After decades of use, it was decommissioned in June of 1970 and designated a National Historic Landmark in 1991. Since 1998, the USS Hornet has been docked in the Alameda Harbor and used as a sea, air and space museum. The USS Hornet Sea, Air & Space Museum makes great effort to ensure that the aircraft carrier is as close to the original as possible, during its time in service, to give visitors a greater understanding of what life was like aboard a working Air Craft carrier. The museum features dozens of exhibits including artifacts from the Space Race of the late 1960's and over 15 different aircrafts like the F-14 Tomcat.

If Historical sites are not your cup of tea or you have young children with short attention spans, you can still make the most out of your trip to the Bay Area by visiting some more family-friendly locations. Consider watching a San Francisco Giants game! Monday, May 29th @ 2:05pm you can catch the Giants taking on the Pittsburgh Pirates at Oracle Park. Watch batting practice, enjoy a hot dog and make sure to explore the 'Fan Lot'. There you can find an interactive play area for kids featuring four different slides, located in a giant replica of a Coca-Cola bottle. If they still need to burn off some steam, head over to the Toyota Fan Zone, a small replica of Oracle Park where kids can run bases, hit whiffle balls and get a glimpse of how the pros do it! Before you leave, make sure to stop by the right field wall and check out the giant aquarium created and installed by Animal Planet's show TANKED.

The Embarcadero: Down the Embarcadero, located at Pier 15, you'll find the Exploratorium. The Exploratorium describes themselves as, "more than a museum - it’s a gateway to exploring science, art, and human perception with every visit". With over 600 interactive exhibits ranging from science experiments to indoor tornadoes, its easy to spend your day getting lost in here. Admission is $39.95 for adults, $29.95 for youth 4-17 and free to children under 3.

Experience San Francisco from a different perspective - sail underneath the majestic Golden Gate Bridge, past the famous Pier 39 sea lions, around Alcatraz Island and along San Francisco’s historic waterfront. Located at Pier 39, the Blue & Gold Fleet has been ferrying visitors around the Bay for over 40 years. Cruises run all day long and last approximately 60 minutes. Visit their website to learn more about their cruising options. Reservations are always recommended - and so is a jacket! Remember Mark Twain's famous quote; "the coldest Winter I ever spent was Summer in San Francisco..."

BACKYARD PARTY PREP

Backyards are witness to many family milestones over the years: the first ride on a new bike, learning to swim, backyard campouts and countless other cherished memories. What better place than the backyard to BBQ for Memorial Day or celebrate the major achievement of a graduation… If you’ll be hosting a gathering at home this Spring/Summer, it’s a good time to start thinking about yard prep.

Prep your lawn: Aerating your lawn before summer is extremely important; it allows water, oxygen, and nutrients to penetrate your grass roots more efficiently. This leads to a healthy root system which helps to keep your lawn healthy and lush. After you’ve aerated your lawn, it’s time to fertilize. The type of fertilizer you need will depend upon the type of grass you have. Your local home improvement store will have different options. Now that you’ve fertilized the lawn, it’s time to water! You don’t want all your hard work thus far to be for nothing - Most grasses will need about one inch of water each week during peak growing season. A slow, deep irrigation is best - Healthy, deep roots are a necessity in helping grass and plants withstand hot summer conditions, including droughts. For best results, water your lawn during the early morning or at night so that the grass has more time to absorb the water before it dries out.
Clean the patio: The patio and seating area will be a popular area during your gathering. It’s important to make sure all of the winter grime is gone - that can be done using some good old elbow grease, or you can invest in or rent a pressure washer to help speed things up. You’ll also want to make sure your patio furniture is clean - creepy-crawlies like to make your furniture home during the off-season!
Prepare for weather: This time of year it is notoriously hot in Chico! Large umbrellas are a necessity for when the sun is beating down and fans are also a great idea for when the air is still. Especially if you’re hosting in the afternoon, you’ll want to make sure there is plenty of shade to keep your guests comfortable. Most important, you’ll want to keep your guests hydrated in the heat… A hydration station can be set up with water carafes/water bottles and individual hydration packs (like Liquid IV) to be added to the water.
Seating: If you’re hosting a BBQ, you’ll want to make sure that you have enough table seating to comfortably seat all of your guests. There’s nothing worse than standing around with a plate of food and nowhere to sit. If you don’t have enough seating, consider renting some tables from your local party supply store. A&J Party Center in Chico has a great selection!
Get your grill ready: There’s no BBQ without a grill! Taking the time to clean out built up grease is important to ensure you’re grilling safely and minimizing the risk of fire. Keeping your grill clean will help your food to cook and taste better. If you’re not using a charcoal grill, make sure that you check your propane tanks to ensure you have enough - running out of propane would make a quick end to your BBQ.
Extra Touches: This is where you set yourself apart from all other gatherings. For evening parties, hang lights from trees and umbrellas to bring a festive vibe. Solar-powered lanterns, mason jars filled with twinkle lights, and flameless candles add a nice touch! Fresh flowers or potted plants are a simple but nice way to bring color to the table. Yard games like Cornhole and Spikeball are great ways to get your guests involved and keep them busy while the food is being prepared. If you’re hosting a graduation party, consider putting together a picture board to display with photos featuring the graduate’s childhood days, passions, friends, and family. Purchase a picture frame with a matte area for guests to sign or leave well wishes for the graduate. Get creative!

GRADUATION

Without a doubt, one of the most exciting and memorable parts of a young person’s life is graduation from High School, College or both! There are tons of great ways to celebrate your recent gradate, but a gathering of family and friends can be the most meaningful way to celebrate. The hours after graduation are busy and can be chaotic, so an easy way to celebrate would be a special dinner at a local restaurant in town.

For a fun and more casual celebration, consider booking an outdoor table at Tres Hombres! Their blackberry margarita and El Rey quesadilla are not to be missed! Between the great ambience and delicious food, you’ll be glad you chose to celebrate here. If you have a large party and are looking for a more private experience, you can rent the Blue Agave Room for catering, tequila tasting and special events. Contact Tres to learn more.

You could also consider Parkside Tap House for a more causal evening. Their outdoor patio is spectacular, with firepits and outdoor games like cornhole and giant Jenga. At night this restaurant turns into a popular bar for locals - if you want to go from dinner to drinks and dancing, this is the spot for you!

After a fun night of celebrating, brunch might exactly what the mood calls for the following day. Mom's, located in downtown Chico, is a fantastic spot to grab brunch. With indoor and outdoor seating, you can relax and enjoy one of their homemade Bloody Mary flights and good company. Their parmesan crusted grilled cheese is not be be missed! Nash's Restaurant is another local Chico brunch spot with indoor/outdoor seating, delicious eggs benedict and bottomless mimosas.

Graduation Gift Inspiration

Your graduates jump into a new season of life can be a scary and exciting time; but C.S. Lewis said it best, “there are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind". Thankfully, if you do want to look back and reminisce on the past, one special and unique gift that you can give your child is a scrapbook of their childhood memories, accomplishments and milestones.

With traditional baby books a thing of the past and most of our memories stored on our social media pages, creating this book is only a few clicks away - MySocialBook creates personalized hardcover books to showcase your Instagram and Facebook posts, statuses, likes, and photos from any dates you choose. Gift this keepsake to your graduate so they can take their memories to college, a new city or wherever their dreams carry them.

Congratulations to all Butte County Graduates!!!!

Parkway’s 5th Anniversary Celebration!

This past week, we had the joy of celebrating 5 years of Parkway! We are overwhelmed with gratitude from all the wonderful people that came together to help make it a success! It is with all of your continued support that we are here and for that we could not be more grateful. We would like to give a huge thank you to Fairway Independent Mortgage, Chico for providing us with the evenings drinks, as well their generosity for hosting our monthly office meetings and education classes - we are so thankful for you!!

Cheers to 5 Years!

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Marketing ParkwayMay 18, 2023