North Bay Woman

S P R I N G 2 0 1 8 | NORTH BAY WOMAN 21 Northern California Pirate Festival Yo ho ho! Gather up yer mateys, don yer pirate costume and get ye to Vallejo for the 12th annual Northern California Pirate Festival happening Father's Day weekend. Thousands of pirate fans gather for this unique festival, a celebration of "The Golden Age of Piracy." With more than 500 costumed actors, musicians and crafters, four stages of non-stop entertainment, and ship to shore cannon battles, this festival is the largest pirate event in the United States. Attendees will also enjoy fantastic food, micro-beers, contests and shopping for pirate booty. June 16-17, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. each day Location Vallejo Waterfront Park, 298 Mare Island Way, Vallejo General admission: $12 per person, children 12 and under free norcalpiratefestival.com Novato Space Festival Aspiring space explorers and astronaut fans of all ages will not want to miss the opportunity to meet several of astronauts at this year's Novato Space Festival. There will also be 30 different space exhibits ranging from the local high school's ro- botics club to exhibits from NASA Ames and Goddard. Be sure to see the fighter jet cockpit from the USS Hornet, solar view- ing telescopes, and visit the play area for young kids. Select astronauts will have their books for sale and will be available to sign them. Aug. 5, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Pacheco Plaza Center 464 Ignacio Blvd., Novato Free admission thespacestationca.org/NovatoSpaceFestival.shtml Art, Wine, Music and Food Italian Street Painting Marin More than 100 of the world's top street painters, or madon- nari as they are known, will be once again transform the streets of San Rafael this summer into a vibrant, stunning and inspiring art exhibit. This year's theme is Wonders of Space & Time. Art works will represent the past, present, and future of the uni- verse and humanity. Attendees will be able to interact with the artists as they create their individual masterpieces. Guests will also be treated to live music, a silent auction and raffles. Kids ages 2 to 12 will have the unique opportunity to create their own 2 foot by 2 foot street painting at Children's Avenue. June 23-24, 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday 5th and A streets, downtown San Rafael General admission: $10 per day Two-day passes are $15, kids 12 and under are free italianstreetpaintingmarin.org Festival Napa Valley Festival Napa Valley is a 10-day culinary, wine, wellness, music, dance and theater celebration taking place at many of Napa Valley's most iconic wineries, resorts and venues. Dedicated to making the arts accessible to all, Festival Napa Valley distributes more 6,000 free tickets to seniors, veterans and families as part of its annual program. This year's lineup includes superstar violinist Joshua Bell, Grammy winner Arturo Sandoval, the San Francisco Ballet, and a rare appearance by Grupo Compay Segundo from Havana. The 2018 season is dedicated to first responders who came to the aid of Wine Country during last year's wildfires. July 20-29, hours vary Various locations throughout Napa Valley Ticket prices range from free admission to some events to $10,000 for a passport to all events. festivalnapavalley.org Tiburon Taps Festival The fifth annual Tiburon Taps Festival is both a beer enthusi- ast's paradise and a fundraiser for The Ranch, serving Tiburon and Belvedere with recreation. With more than 90 different brews from 30 mostly Bay Area brewers, festivalgoers get the chance to experience, taste and interact with brewers. This sell-out event takes place outdoors along the downtown wa- terfront at beautiful Shoreline Park and includes entertainment by a full cover band. Opt to skip driving and take the local Tiburon ferry instead, which is just steps away from the festival entrance. Sept. 22 from 1-4 p.m., Shoreline Park, Tiburon General admission: $40 per person in advance, $50 at the door Designated driver ticket $25 per person tiburontaps.org Left to right; Castles & Kites at Doran Regional Park. – Photo provided by Castles & Kites Festival; Tiburon Taps Festival. – Photo provided by Tiburon Taps Festival; Food and drink abound at the Festival Napa Valley. – Photo by Bob McClenahan

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