Whew! There’s so much fun stuff going on in Chico this weekend I can’t keep up! Please check out the ChicoKids.net calendar over to the right to see some of the great things going on.
Today we’re heading to Katherine’s Cottage for the WebKinz Extravaganza. Tomorrow, May 2, is Free Comic Book Day as well as the Pioneer Days Parade (11 a.m.!) , the Chico Artisans Faire and the Endangered Species Faire. We’ll see you there, rain or shine!
Circus tightrope
Advance signups are required for the Children’s Christmas Party to be held Dec. 21 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chico Elk’s Lodge (Manzanita Place) at 1705 Manzanita Ave. Kids 12 and under can enjoy crafts, snacks and Santa. To reserve a spot, call 343-1431 by Dec. 16.
What could be more fun than breakfast with Santa Claus? Somehow, the Chico Area Recreation District has convinced the jolly old elf to take time out of his busy holiday schedule to enjoy a pancake breakfast with local children. This year, it’s Saturday, Dec. 6 from 8 to 11 a.m. at the CARD Center at 545 Vallombrosa Ave. Kids also get to visit Mrs. Claus and make crafts with the elves. It’s $8 per person. You must sign up for the event in advance, and in fact, it’s already filled up this year. (So, why am I posting this? Because there’s a wait list!) Call 895-4711 or visit the CARD Web site.
You wait for it all year and it’s here! Christmas Preview! Kids love it and it’s somehow, magically, more exciting than claustrophobic seeing so many people enjoying Chico’s downtown. The Downtown Chico Business Association event will be held Sunday, Nov. 23 from 4 to 8-ish, and the weather is supposed to be great. Shops open their doors and show off their holiday wares while giving out free treats, samples and coupons. There’s also great live entertainment: Watch for the Yule Logs and Sounds of the Foothills on the streets, and don’t miss the live music at Chico Paper Co. at 345 Broadway. Santa will be hearing kids’ wish lists and posing for pictures at Third and Broadway. My tips: Get in the Santa line early, and plan on a later bedtime because your kid should be all hopped up on cookies and cocoa. The Nutcracker dance is always a favorite, and it’s almost as fun watching the little kids’ eyes light up as they watch the performers in the shop window.
What a cool idea. Today’s kids may never get to go to a drive-in movie, but Chico kids are lucky enough to be able to attend Family Movies in the Park (Sycamore Field) sponsored by the Chico Area Recreation District. The movies are free and the next one is Saturday, July 19 starting 15 minutes after sunset. This week’s showing is Bee Movie, the Jerry Seinfeld flick. The other movie nights are listed here on the CARD Web site.
We’re really looking forward to Chico’s annual Independence Day shindig at One Mile in Bidwell Park. Last year Alec got a rad Blue’s Clue’s tattoo and I think there was a snowcone involved. The pancake breakfast is from 7:30-11 a.m.; the 5k run starts at 8am; the horseshoe contest is from 9 a.m.-noon; the Chico Community Concert Band plays from 9-10:35 a.m.; the “Let Freedom Ring” speech is from 10:45-11:30 a.m.; the pie eating contest is from 12:15-12:45 p.m.; games are from 1-2 p.m. and the Midnight Blues Society is from 1-3 p.m. There are also food booths, activities and crafts from 10am-3pm. Much credit goes to CARD and Do-It Leisure. See you there!
Last summer my husband took Alec to practically every $1 summer movie at Tinseltown. The theater is air-conditioned, and there’s no law that says you have to buy concessions. This year, we haven’t been yet, due to CARD swim lessons and our impromptu escape from the smoke. But July 2 and 3 is Arthur and the Invisibles, and it’s a go. The theater, at 801 East Ave. near the North Valley Plaza Mall, offers the $1 shows at 10 a.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays. Shrek the Third plays July 9 and 10, Bee Movie is July 16 and 17, Water Horse is July 23 and 24, Surf’s Up is July 30 and 31, Happy Feet is Aug. 6 and 7 and Doogal is Aug. 13 and 14. A word of caution: Sometimes the shows sell out, so get there early. If they do sell out, hang out for a bit as they might open up another theater room. Also, if you have gas to burn or are up that way for another reason, the summer kids’ movies at the Prime Cinemas theaters in Red Bluff and at the outlet mall in Anderson are free.
