In Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown

October 16th-19th

The 89th Annual Walnut Festival is right around the corner!

Due to a large remodel of Heather Farm Park we’ve had to relocate for a few years while this is done, the festival has a NEW LOCATION! Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds) at 1201 W 10th Street in Antioch.

This year’s festival will be held October 16th-19th.

Admission: $15/person

6yrs and younger, 65 years and older and Military with ID get in free
Parking: $10/car

All you can ride unlimited wristbands: $40/person – EVERYONE RIDING MUST HAVE A PAID WRISTBAND OR INDIVIDUAL TICKETS. WITHOUT ONE OF THESE YOU WILL NOT BE ALLOWED TO RIDE.

VENDOR APPLICATIONS ARE UP ON THE WEBSITE.

The Purpose of the Walnut Festival Association

​For the past 89 years, the non-profit Walnut Festival Association has attracted the most dedicated volunteers, from all walks of life, who join together to serve Contra Costa County by raising funds through community events. The money raised from these annual family entertainment events is donated back into the community to support recreational, charitable, and educational programs and facilities. The Walnut Festival Association events also provide a means for service and charitable groups to raise money to support their specific organizations.

It is the purpose of the Walnut Festival Association, a 501c non-profit corporation, to raise funds for distribution to educational, recreational, artistic, civic, and charitable causes.

1. To provide a vehicle for other non-profit organizations to raise funds for their redistribution throughout the year.
2. To produce quality events for the benefit of the residents of Walnut Creek and the surrounding areas, and to foster a sense of community involvement.

As Walnut Creek has grown, and suburban developments have replaced walnut groves, the Walnut Festival Association has maintained the tradition of producing fundraising events for the benefit of the community. Locations for the event have changed over the years from the center of town to Civic Park and finally, in 1976, to Heather Farm Park, where it has been held the third Thursday after the first Monday in September.

For more information visit www.Thewalnutfestival.org.

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Have you ever wanted to design your own flower arrangements? Grab your shears and join us for hands on workshops, where you’ll learn tips and techniques to design your very own unique floral designs!

Floral Design Workshops
09/21, 10/12, 11/09, 12/07, 1/11
11:00 AM – 1:30 PM
R: $65, NR: $75

Floral Design Classes
10/06, 11/03, 12/08,  01/05
10:00 AM – 12:30 PM, 5:30 PM – 8:00 PM
R: $110, NR: $121

All at the Antioch Community Center in Prewett Family Park at 4703 Lone Tree Way, Antioch.

To register visit antiochca.gov/register.

Tours of Coast Guard ship at the Smith’s Landing dock Sunday, Sept. 14

Local high school students to perform, volunteer

By Allen D. Payton

A unit from Beale Air Force Base near Sacramento has volunteered to support this year’s Stand Down on the Delta with a flyover of two T-38 fighter jets from the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron on Saturday, September 13. Pilots who fly the U-2 jets at the base train on the T-38’s.

The flyover will occur during Opening Ceremonies Saturday morning beginning at 10:00 A.M. at which the Deer Valley High Divine Voices will perform the National Anthem.

The four pilots from the 1st Reconnaissance Squadron participating in the flyover will be Lt. Colonel “Mako” Willard, Major “Dice” Dodds, Major “Merle” Paegelow and Captain “Blitz” Alexander.

On Friday, as veterans arrive to the Contra Costa Event Center (fairgrounds) the U.S. Air Force Band of the Golden West will perform.

Then on Sunday from 10:00 AM to Noon, tours will be offered on a Coast Guard ship at the Smith’s Landing dock at the foot of L Street.

Local High School Students Volunteer

This year members from the Heritage High School Air Force Junior ROTC and Antioch High Army Junior ROTC members will be volunteering during the weekend events.

De La Salle High School students are participating in a competition in which they’re working on a sock drive for veterans. That’s one of the items So far, they have collected 1,900 pairs but the effort continues until Thursday. The school has also donated 150 sweatshirts to be distributed during the weekend.

Stand Down on the Delta, presented by Delta Veterans Group, will again be held at the Contra Costa Event Park (fairgrounds), located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch. For more information click, here.

#AFFlyover

Stomp, sip and unwind on the pier

Save the date and join us in Antioch’s historic downtown Rivertown Saturday, September 6, 2025, 5PM–9PM for line dancing, delicious food and excellent wine on the riverfront brought to you by:

The Pour Up Wine Bar, Monica’s Riverview, Country Kru Line Dancing and Antioch.Town.

We will have a combination of line dancing lessons, live walkthroughs and a request list.

This event is 18+.

Different ticket options available. So, please check out tickets now available on Eventbrite. See you sundown on the dance floor!

Located at 1 I Street #Unit C in Antioch on the pier.

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Groove Ride covers the music of party bands like Earth, Wind & Fire, The Gap Band and Commodores

By Allen D. Payton

The final of the three free Antioch Summer Concerts is tonight, Thursday, August 21, 2025, with Groove Ride, an 11-piece band from the San Francisco Bay Area, presented  by the City of Antioch Recreation Department.

Although it’s entitled the Rhythms by the River Concert Series, it’s not held in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown next to the river. Instead, this year, the performances are at Prewett Family Park in the Antioch Community Center Amphitheater at 4703 Lone Tree Way.

With a diverse repertoire encompassing R&B, Funk, Soul, Pop, Hip-Hop, Rock, Latin and Jazz, Groove Ride was formed on April 5, 2012, by Doc Robinson.  Groove Ride has two simple goals; make people dance and let them see a show!

They deliver the sound of the top party and dance bands from the 70’s to the present, along with a high-powered show filled with fun and energy.You don’t want to miss their tributes to some of the greatest party bands of all time such as Earth, Wind & Fire, The Gap Band, Chic, Commodores and Heatwave

Groove Ride is a show band featuring great music, choreography, multiple attire changes and lighting for the total party experience!  No tracks, no recordings…real music played by real musicians. Come see their show. You won’t be disappointed!

The concert runs from 6:00pm-8:00pm and is accompanied by a delicious array of culinary delights, brought to you by Foodie Crew. Indulge your taste buds each Thursday with food options from all around the Bay Area. From savory to sweet, there’s something for every palate. Want to know the food options ahead of time? Visit www.foodiecrew.com.

For more information about the City of Antioch Recreation Department and other events and activities visit www.antiochca.gov/recreation.

In Historic Downtown Antioch!

Click for details on this year’s Hot August Cruise & Car Show in Antioch’s downtown Rivertown Aug. 16.

For more information about the store visit Rivertown Treasure Chest – Antioch, California.

2nd of 3 on Thursday nights at Prewett Family Park along with the Foodie Crew food trucks

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

Antioch’s annual free Summer Concert Series continues this Thursday, Aug. 14 with The Houserockers. Although entitled “Rhythms by the River” it isn’t in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown next to the river. Instead, this year, the performances are at Prewett Family Park in the Antioch Community Center Amphitheater at 4703 Lone Tree Way from 6:00-8:00 p.m.

Elevate your concert experience with a delicious array of culinary delights, brought to you by Foodie Crew. Indulge your taste buds each Thursday with food options from all around the Bay Area. From savory to sweet, there’s something for every palate. Want to know the food options ahead of time? Visit www.foodiecrew.com.

About The Houserockers

The Houserockers are a 10-piece Rock & Soul band from Northern California that plays the greatest songs ever recorded. With a wailing 5-piece horn section and rock-solid rhythm section, we bring the timeless classics and today’s hits to life.

Winner of numerous Bay Area Best Band Awards (“Best Cover Band in the Bay Area” as winners of the KFOX Radio Last Band Standing contest, Best Local Band Los Gatan Magazine, Best Local Band and Best Cover Band Runner Up in San Jose Metro), The Houserockers are a Bay Area favorite – one of the hardest working and in demand bands for over 20 years.

They’re known for their eclectic, high energy, set lists that fuses rock, blues, funk, 60’s soul and R & B. From the music of The Rolling Stones to Bruno Mars, Earth, Wind & Fire to Cee Lo Green, Stevie Wonder to Bruce Springsteen, Hall & Oates to the Beatles, Van Morrison and much more, every performance turns into a house party with people dancing, singing, playing air guitar and having a great time.

The Houserockers are: Paul Kent – Guitar, Vocals; Nick Chargin – Keyboards, Vocals; Chris Beveridge – Bass, Vocals; Mike McWilliams – Trumpet; Al Gonzalez – Trumpet;Jon Hassan – Baritone Sax; George Brandau – Drums; Paul Degen – Sax, Flute; Mark Proudfoot – Trombone

Bill Tasto – Sound Engineer; andDave Byron – Guitar, Vocals.

For more information about the band visit svhouserockers.com.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.