Deadline: May 4thto 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.
We’re WILD about the Fair and 2026 is bringing the ROAR!
By Cheyenne Erickson, CEO, Contra Costa Fair & Event Park
Get ready, Contra Costa County… new thrills, new events and wildly exciting surprises are coming to the Fairgrounds during the Contra Costa County Fair May 14-17.
Mark your calendars:
Friday, May 15 – Bulls & Broncs Rodeo kicks things off at 7PM
Saturday, May 16 – Flat Track Motorcycle Racing! FREE with fair admission!
All weekend – New and exciting grounds acts you won’t want to miss
Sunday, May 17 – Junior Livestock Auction at 9AM
We’re turning up the fun and going full safari mode!
This year’s fair is shaping up to be an exciting one. Some of the highlights include:
Exotic animals and family-friendly attractions
The return of the Bulls & Broncs Rodeo—back for the first time in 20 years
Flat Track Motorcycle Racing on Saturday (FREE with fair admission)
Junior Livestock Auction on Sunday—support local youth and enjoy some of the best locally raised meat around
We are also crowning our very FIRST Mini Miss Contra Costa during our Miss Contra Costa Scholarship Program Thursday, May 14 at 6pm. They have been working very hard on resumes, honing their communication skills and leadership development.
More details coming soon… until then, stay WILD about the Fair!
Santa arrived during the Holiday Delites Parade riding in the Antioch Historical Society’s old fire truck. Later, the Antioch and Deer Valley High School Marching Bands performed Christmas carols together in Waldie Plaza following the Christmas Tree lighting. All photos by Allen D. Payton
See photos and parade winners
By Allen D. Payton
The Antioch community joined together to begin the Christmas season with the annual Holiday Delites Celebration with the parade and Christmas Tree lighting in 46-degree weather in historic, downtown Rivertown on Saturday, Dec. 6, 2025. The event began with a Sip & Shop with local stores open and vendor booths on G Street.
Before the Christmas Tree Lighting in Waldie Plaza, City staff handed out gifts of STEM – Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics – Kits to children while families took photos with Santa and the Grinch.
The countdown to the Christmas Tree Lighting was led by Mayor Ron Bernal who was joined by Mayor Pro Tem Louie Rocha, Councilwomen Monica Wilson and Tamisha Torres-Walker, City Clerk Michael Mandy and Parks and Recreation Director Shahad Wright.
Following the tree lighting, the Deer Valley Choir sang Christmas carols followed by the Antioch and Deer Valley High School Marching Bands who joined together to perform more Christmas carols.
Presented by City of Antioch Recreation Department and Celebrate Antioch Foundation
Join Antioch for the annual Holiday Delites Celebration in historic, downtown Rivertown on December 6, 2025. Enjoy the Holiday Sip & Shop Artisan Fair brought to you by the Celebrate Antioch Foundation before lining the street to see the lighted parade go by with an appearance by Santa at the end!
The event includes the parade filled with live performers and moving floats, family photo opportunities with Santa and the Grinch, cookie decorating and much more. You and your family won’t want to miss this!
Discover over 30 talented artisan vendors featuring beautiful handmade crafts, unique décor, jewelry and more — the perfect place to find thoughtful Christmas gifts!
Sign up your group to light up the night with your festive floats, bright costumes and holiday spirit when you visit our website. Prizes awarded to parade category winners. Let’s make this celebration the brightest yet! Become part of the magic that is Holiday Delites by visiting antiochca.gov/holiday-delites.
At 6 pm in Waldie Plaza on W. 2nd Street across from City Hall. Enjoy AUSD Band and Choir Performances and photos with Santa and the Grinch.
Sponsors
Special thanks to our sponsors: Carbon Health, Republic Services, AT&T and Antioch Charter Academy.
Please note: Parade and Christmas Tree Lighting are scheduled as tentative based on weather conditions. In case of heavy downpour, the parade and tree lighting will unfortunately be cancelled.
For more information, please visit our website. For inquiries, contact recreation@antiochca.gov.
Join us for the 11th Annual Hot Rods 4 Paws Benefit Car & Bike Show and Trunk or Treat Saturday, Oct. 25, 2025, in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.
Enjoy and participate in the Pet Costume Contest at 11:30am, Kids Costume Contest at 12:00pm on the corner of W. 2nd and G Streets and store-to-store Trick or Treating from 12:00-4:00pm.
Plus, there will be Monster Truck rides, a Kids Zone, Music and Vendors and it is FREE to the public.
The event will benefit Furry Friends Pet Relief, a 501c3 non-profit organization that assists struggling families and the homeless in the East Bay and surrounding counties with dog and cat food.
Celebrating seven years of tradition, trains will once again bring visitors to honor site central to California’s African American history
Established in 1908, it was the state’s first self-governed Black township
By Harlo Pippenger, Consultant, Amtrak San Joaquins
(Stockton, CA) – Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park is holding its annual celebratory Rededication event on Saturday, October 11 from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM. In partnership, Amtrak San Joaquins has scheduled a special stop at the park for multiple trains, bookable at exclusive half-price “Allensworth fares.”
Travelers from Northern California, the Bay Area and the Central Valley are invited to experience a scenic day trip aboard the Amtrak San Joaquins, arriving directly at the gates of this historic landmark and celebration. Attendees are encouraged to book now to secure their seats and to enjoy further savings by combining discounts, as detailed on the Amtrak San Joaquins Deals webpage.
Hosted by California State Parks, the Annual Rededication of Col. Allensworth State Historic Park honors the park’s original dedication in 1976. The event will feature food trucks, arts and crafts, guided tours of historic buildings, performances of music and dance, interactive experiences with time-period docents, and remarks from descendants of Colonel Allen Allensworth.
This year’s special Rededication train marks the seventh anniversary of Amtrak San Joaquins’ service to the Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park Rededication Celebration. Since that first ride in 2018, ridership to the event has grown dramatically, from just 97 passengers to more than 300 in 2024 and over 500 individuals traveling by train to the most recent Juneteenth 2025 Festival. Each year, more Californians are discovering the ease and joy of traveling by train to celebrate this historic community and the lasting impact it has had on the state’s heritage. With direct service and exclusive discounted fares, Amtrak San Joaquins is making it easier than ever for riders from across the state to be part of this meaningful celebration.
Founded in 1908 by Colonel Allen Allensworth, a former enslaved man, the town was designed to be a self-sustaining community where African Americans could live, work, and thrive. Today, you can witness the legacy of this trailblazing community come alive with captivating re-enactments, storytelling, and tours of the lovingly restored and reconstructed early 20th century buildings. Step into the Colonel’s house, walk through the halls of the historic schoolhouse and explore the church and library for an inspiring journey through a pivotal moment in history.
“California State Parks is proud to celebrate seven years of partnership with Amtrak San Joaquins in bringing visitors directly to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park,” said Lori Wear, California State Parks. “This special train service has helped thousands of Californians experience the rich history and enduring legacy of Colonel Allensworth in an accessible, affordable, and memorable way. We’re beyond excited for this year and continuing this progress into the future.”
The southbound trains running for the event include trains 702 (10:55am arrival), 710 (11:54am arrival), and 712 (2:54 arrival). Northbound trains include 713 (8:56am arrival), 715 (12:56pm arrival), 717 (2:56pm arrival). When purchasing train tickets, a discount will automatically be applied. If eligible, riders can then combine this reduced ticket with additional savings regularly available which include:
Infants under 2 years of age ride for free
Children 2-12 years old ride half-price every day
Seniors (62+ years of age) receive 15% off
Veterans & active military members receive 15% off
Disabled riders save 15% off
View deals
Visitors attending the Rededication Celebration via the Amtrak San Joaquins trains will arrive at the Allensworth station (CNL), which will serve as a special stop for this event. Upon arrival, a complimentary 35-passenger shuttle provided by Tulare County Area Transit will transport riders between the train platform and the historic schoolhouse. Typically, a whistle stop available only to pre-booked groups, the Allensworth station (CNL) will be fully activated for travelers on October 11, offering a rare and seamless opportunity to experience this historic park by rail.
Train tickets to Colonel Allensworth State Historic Park can be booked online at the Colonel Allensworth landing page or contact Carmen Setness, community outreach coordinator for San Joaquin Regional Rail Commission (SJRRC), at csetness@sjrrc.com.
About Allensworth State Historic Park
The town of Allensworth is located in the heart of the Central Valley, about 30 miles north of Bakersfield. Boasting a rich history that is of interest to students, families, history buffs, minority community organizations, and anyone else looking to spend a fun day exploring the historic community and its restored buildings. In 1908, Allensworth was established as a town founded, financed and governed by African Americans. There were a series of challenges impeding the town’s long-term survival, but it is celebrated as a key historical icon. In 1974 California State Parks purchased the land in order to maintain it as a site for visitors to learn and explore the Colonel’s house, historic schoolhouse, Baptist church, and library.
About the San Joaquin Joint Powers Authority (SJJPA) Since July 2015, SJJPA has been responsible for the management and administration of Amtrak San Joaquins. SJJPA is governed by Board Members representing each of the ten (10) Member Agencies along the 365-mile San Joaquins Corridor. For more information on SJJPA see www.sjjpa.com.
Amtrak San Joaquins is Amtrak’s 6th busiest route with 18 train stations throughout the Central Valley and Bay Area, providing a safe, comfortable and reliable way to travel throughout California. Amtrak San Joaquins is currently running six daily round-trips. In addition to the train service, Amtrak San Joaquins Thruway buses provide connecting service to 135 destinations in California and Nevada including Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, San Diego, Napa Valley, Las Vegas and Reno.
Includes the Rotary Club of the Delta Cornhole Tournament
By Celebrate Antioch Foundation
Join us, Saturday, Oct. 4, 2025, from 11:00 AM 5:00 PM, for a celebration of music, food and family fun at the Rhythms by the River Fall Festival! Set against the beautiful backdrop of the river, this event promises a day full of entertainment and excitement for all ages in Antioch’s historic, downtown Rivertown.
Highlights include a music stageat the north end of G Street (in the “bulb”), a beer and wine garden, the Rotary Club of the Delta’s Cornhole Tournament, Car Show, food trucks, artisan vendors and even a special Kid Zone for games and activities.
Enoy musical performances by Spinout from 11AM-1PM., The Boyz from 1-3PM and Fog City Swampers from 3-5PM.
The event will be held on West 2nd Street and G Streets and is presented by Celebrate Antioch Foundation, the City of Antioch and Antioch Rivertown Jamboree.
