Cleanups at Nick Rodriguez Community Center and Antioch Skatepark then plant a tree on Arbor Day; participate in the #KeepAntiochBeautiful Photo Raffle

By City of Antioch Recreation Department

From Earth Day to Arbor Day, let’s work together to build a stronger, cleaner, more beautiful Antioch! Starting Earth Day, join us as we begin our service to the community. Gather friends and family to brainstorm a beautification project for your home, neighborhood, classroom, or local business, and put it into action! Don’t forget to capture your efforts with a photo and send to the Antioch Recreation Department! On Arbor Day, join our Parks and Rec Department as we plant trees at a local park. Be part of the volunteers who will serve in downtown Rivertown at the Nick Rodriguez Community Center and at the Antioch Skatepark in Prewett Community Park before enjoying a volunteer lunch.

What Is Earth Day?

First held globally on April 22, 1970, Earth Day promotes worldwide demonstrations of support for environmental protection. Attention is drawn to the achievements made by the environmental protection movement and awareness is brought to methods of protecting the Earth’s natural resources. Celebrated by billions around the world, Keep Antioch Beautiful is just one of the ways our community celebrates Earth Day.

What Is Arbor Day?

First celebrated in the U.S. in 1872, Arbor Day encourages public attention to the importance of trees in our ecosystem. Planting, relocating, and even climbing trees are encouraged, along with learning more about the myriad of ways trees function in our environment and help us all to exist.

Join us for Arbor Day 2026 as we come together to plant trees and invest in a greener future.

Plant a tree. Grow our future! Friday, April 24, 10:00 AM – 1:00 PM.

This Year’s Community Services

• Trash Cleanup at Nick Rodriguez Community Center
• Landscaping Projects at the Antioch Skatepark in Prewett Community Park
• Plant Trees for Arbor Day at Prewett Community Park
• Join the Social Media Photo Raffle

Note: Please bring work gloves.

#KeepAntiochBeautiful Photo Raffle

From Earth Day (April 22, 2026) to Arbor Day (April 24, 2026), show us how you and your family #KeepAntiochBeautiful. Post a picture of you, your family, friends, or coworkers performing an act of beautification for the city with the hashtag #KeepAntiochBeautiful and tag the Antioch Recreation Department (@antiochrec_ca) to be entered into our raffle. On Arbor Day, three lucky entries will be chosen to each win a prize dedicated to them and their efforts toward the beautification of our lovely city!

Sponsored in part by Antioch Rotary Club, Rotary Club of the Delta-Antioch and Celebrate Antioch Foundation.

Click to Register for all three activities.

For more information visit Keep Antioch Beautiful | Antioch, CA

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

Deadline: May 4th to register to show your creations

By Cheyenne Erickson, CEO, Contra Costa Fair & Event Park

Calling all crafters, bakers, photographers, plant lovers, sewers and more—this is your time to shine! Enter your creations and be part of the 2026 Contra Costa County Fair, May 14-17.

Divisions for EVERYONE:

• Youth

• Adult

• Classroom (open to any group or class!)

Sign up now on the Showman App!

https://www.contracostafair.com/exhibitors

Need help or have questions? We’ve got you covered—join us during office hours every Tuesday & Thursday 9am-4pm for entry assistance and support.

Questions? Email us at exhibits@ccfair.org.

The Contra Costa Event Park & Fairgrounds are located at 1201 W. 10th Street in Antioch.

We can’t wait to see what you bring to the Fair!

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By UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County

The UC Master Gardener program in Contra Costa County’s 2026 Annual Great Tomato Plant Sale fundraiser in East County will take place April 18 in Antioch.

Every year, the Great Tomato Plant Sale brings gardeners something special. This year, we’re excited to introduce a fresh lineup of new delicious tomato varieties, along with peppers and other vegetables chosen for flavor, productivity, and garden performance.

You’ll get a preview of what’s new, from unique heirlooms to exciting modern varieties that deserve a place in your garden. You’ll also find helpful articles and growing tips designed to set you up for a successful vegetable season—from choosing the right tomato to protecting plants during hot summer days. A short guide explaining the disease-resistant codes is also included to help you understand what they mean and how they can benefit your garden.

Take a moment to explore and read ‘Here’s What’s New in 2026’, then follow the links to discover the full collection of plants and resources waiting for you at this year’s Great Tomato Plant Sale. 

We are looking forward to seeing your smiling faces very soon.  Please mark your calendars with the date below, as we’d hate for you to miss a single minute of the excitement. See you there!

• Saturday, April 18, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. – Rivertown Demonstration Garden, Antioch (located in the Contra Costa Event Park & Fairgrounds, 1201 W 10th Street);

Please note:

• Fruits & Vegetables
• 70+ varieties of tomatoes, plus peppers, eggplants, squash and more
• All plants are $4.00
• All sales are Visa, MasterCard, Cash or Check
• Remember to bring boxes or containers to carry your new plants home!
• For safety reasons, pets are not allowed inside the sales area. 

Description lists: 

• Go to Beefsteak Tomatoes
• Go to Cherry & Paste Tomatoes
• Go to Slicer Tomatoes
• Go to Peppers
• Go to Other Veggies and Herbs

Shopping Lists

• Shopping List for Our Garden, Walnut Creek (PDF)
• Shopping List for Rivertown, Antioch (PDF)
• Shopping List for West County (PDF)

For more information visit 2026 Great Tomato Plant Sale | UC Master Gardener Program of Contra Costa County.

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Join Councilmember Monica Wilson and Antioch leadership for an evening of real conversation, connection, and community.

This is your opportunity to hear directly from city leaders, ask questions, and share what matters most in District 4.

Featuring:

• State Senator Tim Grayson

• Assemblywoman Anamarie Avila-Farias

• Antioch leadership and department directors

Thursday, April 16

6 PM – 7:30 PM

International Barbershop, 4629 Golf Course Road, Antioch, near Tailgaters.

Bring your questions. Bring your ideas. Be part of the conversation.

Try your hand at operating a train!

By David Epling

Our FREE ADMISSION, Semi-Annual Public Open House. Come see HO scale trains traveling across our large layout. New for this event is for a 5.00 fee, we will give you a throttle and let you run one of our trains. Additionally, we will have our model train swap meet in the parking lot.

Date: Saturday, April 18, 2026

Time: 9:30 AM – 3:30 PM

Location: 425 Fulton Shipyard Road, Antioch

For more information visit www.blackdiamondlines.com or contact David Epling at info@blackdiamondlines.com or (209) 337-2639.

By Antioch Chamber of Commerce

The 2025 Antioch Large Corporate Business of the Year award goes to U.S. Bank, a company with a legacy of over 100 years and a longstanding commitment to supporting communities across the nation, including Antioch. Honored during the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s annual Gala, Friday night, March 27, 2026, Antioch Branch Manager Jesse Ingram, the Chamber’s Co-Chief Ambassador, accepted the award on behalf of the bank during the ceremony.

U.S. Bank has been a tremendous partner to the Antioch community, providing not only financial support but also dedicating the time and energy of its staff through volunteering and community engagement. Their contributions have touched countless lives, from generous donations to hands-on participation in local programs and initiatives that strengthen the social and economic fabric of the city.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, U.S. Bank stepped forward to support the local community in numerous ways. They provided critical relief assistance for customers, launched premium payment programs for frontline employees, and expedited their community giving initiatives to respond to urgent needs. Additionally, the bank played a vital role in helping local small businesses access Paycheck Protection Program loans, assisting more than 108 small businesses in navigating the challenges of the pandemic and ensuring their continued operation.

U.S. Bank’s dedication to housing and financial stability has also made a lasting impact. In 2025, the bank partnered with RCF Connects to provide $1 million in down payment assistance grants to first-time homebuyers in Contra Costa County, helping 78 low-income families achieve the dream of homeownership. The majority of these families purchased homes in Antioch, directly contributing to the growth and vitality of the local community.

Beyond financial contributions, U.S. Bank’s staff have been active participants in the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s events, generously donating their time and funding the events. Their support reflects a true partnership with Antioch, demonstrating a corporate culture that prioritizes giving back and strengthening the communities in which they operate. U.S. Bank chooses Antioch as a focus of their philanthropy and for their continued commitment to improving lives through financial assistance, volunteerism, and community engagement.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.

By Antioch Chamber of Commerce

During the Antioch Chamber of Commerce’s annual Gala, held Friday night, March 27, 2026, S.H.A.R.E. Community was honored as the 2025 Antioch Non-Profit of the Year. S.H.A.R.E. stands for Sharing Hope, Abundance, Resources and Encouragement.

S.H.A.R.E. Community is a remarkable nonprofit organization dedicated to serving unhoused neighbors in our community. Their programs provide mobile showers, hygiene kits, and laundry vouchers, offering individuals an opportunity to feel confident again and helping to restore a sense of dignity that is often lost during times of homelessness.

“We’re super excited to be chosen Non-Profit of the Year for 2025 by the Antioch Chamber of Commerce,” said, Executive Director Ricka Davis-Sheard who was presented with a commemorative plaque by Chamber Chair Jim Becker.

Founded in 2019 with a mission centered on sharing hope, resources, abundance, and encouragement, S.H.A.R.E.  Community has become a lifeline for many. They work in partnership with a wide range of local agencies, including hair salons, pet food providers, veteran support services, and mental health organizations, ensuring that the needs of their clients are met in a holistic and compassionate way.

SHARE Community has provided over 9,000 showers and distributed 18,000 hygiene kits to individuals experiencing homelessness. Many participants in the program have gone on to secure stable housing and have returned as volunteers, creating a full-circle transformation that exemplifies the organization’s profound impact.

Despite operating with a small budget and limited resources, SHARE Community continues to expand its services and outreach, fueled by the dedication of its volunteers and the support of the local community. Their tireless efforts not only address immediate needs but also inspire hope, foster resilience, and empower individuals to reclaim their confidence and independence.

S.H.A.R.E. Community is more than a nonprofit—they are a beacon of compassion, demonstrating that with care, creativity, and community support, meaningful change is possible for some of the most vulnerable members of society.

See video about S.H.A.R.E. Community’s work by Executive Director Davis-Sheard. For more information visit www.thesharecommunity.com.

Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.