Mother Lode Fairgrounds
Time for lots of fun! The Christmas festival is comin’ to town! Spanning
39 Years of great Christmas Festival magic - and an enjoyable Christmas
shopping experience. Folks of all ages come to Sonora every year to
celebrate our “olde fashioned” Fire On The Mountain~Sonora Christmas
Festival.
At 10am, visitors will be greeted by Santa, the Elves, Trees, and
Carolers at the front gates of our Christmas Village. Then follow these
merrymakers through the artisan’s lanes & yummy Festival Food Vendors,
accompanied by tunes of the talented musicians on the Festival Stages.
Also, to be delighted by the antics of our comic jugglers, vaudeville
style skits, train rides, ornament making, kids play area . . . .
Sonora Christmas Festival continues to be one of California's finest arts
festivals. All the preparations are under way for this picturesque
Thanksgiving Weekend event. November 29-30,
Dec 1 at Sonora's Mother Lode Fairgrounds, downtown Sonora, Santa's
special pre-Christmas stopover in the foothills of the Mother Lode.
The 27th Winter Wonderland Christmas Parade, in historic downtown Sonora,
will be ready to roll at 5:30pm Friday. (Parade details: 209-532-7725)
Eat, Shop and Be Merry As Christmas is Near!!!!
150 craft & graphic artist will be featured at this "top rated on the West
Coast" festival - a definite Christmas shopping destination for thousands
of thoughtful shoppers since 1975. All makers of their own craft and art
pieces ~ Weavers, metal smiths, Christmas ornaments & decorations, blown
and etched glass, fabricated gold and silver jewelry, watercolors,
photography, clothing, hats, belts, soaps, instrument maker, lotions,
oils, and soaps, leather hats, bets, buckles, custom signs. kids toys,pets
items ~ all the best!!!
The "cottage" gourmet food specialties industry (olive oils, candies,
salsas, nuts, olives, peanut brittle, English toffee) has been a very
popular addition to our shows. Don't miss: Louella’s Toffee from Columbia,
Fudge It (wide variety of yummy flavors), cake mixes by Fabulous Fixins,
wild honey by Gold Country Honey, chocolates by Chocolate Bin of Modesto,
also:nuts, jams, vinegars, dips, olive oils, jerky, Cajun spices, roasted
coffees, and so much more!! --- The popular Dog Biscuit Stockings by the
Tuolumne County Humane Society display by the Main Stage, and the crafted
ceramic fish fundraiser by the Watch Program will be outside the Sierra
Craft Hall .
FESTIVAL ENTERTAINERS (so far, more acts to be added!)
Continuous festive, up tempo, live entertainment on 3 stages and the
Festival Children's' Stage feature a wide range of music, "street
performers," — lots of Christmas seasonal music this year!! Acts booked as
of 11/1/13 are
• • JOE CRAVEN TRIO (Camptown Bnd Sat Only) Fri, Sat, Sun ~ Folk Alliance
Performer Of The Year, the “Workingman” of Americana acoustic music ~ some
new-bluegrass and world music by Joe Craven (perfomed in David Grisman
Quintet & Garcia-Grisman Band, Allison Brown Band, Railroad Earth). Joe
Craven plays a wild assortment of found and homemade instruments, will be
staying all weekend to perform with most of the other bands. An eclectic
“power trio” on Saturday consisting of keyboards (John R Burr), key bass,
drums (Kendrick Freeman), fiddle, mandolin, found sound and vocals, this
celebration is a surprisingly full sound for a party of three, paying
tribute to Traditional American Folk, Blues, New Orleans, Swing, Funk, as
well as the music of Brazil, Haiti, Ireland, Cuba and Puerto Rico. The
music is crisp, tight and full of groove. Joe’s daughter, HATTIE ROSE,
will sing and play during the weekend.
• • Popular acoustic Blues duo TOM BALL & KENNY SULTAN (Sat, Sun), singing
and playing on harmonica & guitar their fun versions of original and
traditional music. Kenny Sultan has been especially honored with a
signature KENNY SULTAN, MARTIN GUITAR limited edition.
• • TOM RIGNEY & FLAMBEAU (Fri) rockin’ the festival with Cajun Zydeco,
Blues , Rock, Boogie Woogie
• • the ever popular GOLDEN BOUGH returns! (Fri/Sat) performing wonderful
Celtic music---special Christmas program. • • SOURDOUGH SLIM (Fri, Sat,
Sun)
The accordion playin’ cowboy. Nostalgic and novelty tunes & wit and wisdom
of the Old West, takin' you back to yesteryear! Kids show also added. (
Slim will be joined by THE SADDLE PALS on Saturday, and famed saw player
ROBERT ARMSTRONG on Friday. (Robert recorded the theme music for movie
“One Flew Over The Cookoo’s Nest”)
A Tribute Jam set during early Saturday afternoon for former festival
performer RON DELACY.
• • LITTLE FULLER BAND, local Americana stringband music (Sunday only -
www.littlefullerband.com)
• • GOTTCHALKS MUSIC CENTER CONCERT BAND of Modesto
• • MIRTH & GLEE SINGERS entertain you with everything from traditional
carols to upbeat pop tunes in joyful a cappela harmony it is their 32nd
year at the fair!!
• • FUNSTRUMMERS UKELELE ORCHESTRA of Modesto
• • The Street Performer/Buskers ShowcaseS
• • Featuring CAPTAIN JACK SPARERIBS (www.pirate4hire.com) “Pirates of the
Caribbean” style entertainer, magic, ventriloquism, juggling, Flaming
Torches...Spinning Bowls... Balancing Swords... Knives, Apples & Bowling
Balls and “Danger”!
** KATRINA AND SCOTTY (www.comedyindustries.com) jugglers, comedy antics,
escape artist dexterity
** KIDS’ PLAY AREA with inflatable bouncers, and slides (weather
permitting only!!);
** NORTH POLE XPRESS TRAIN all 3 days ** TAYLOR the FACE PAINTER;
** KIDS CAN MAKE hands on CRAFT PROJECTS CONSISTING OF OF “GREEN PRODUCTS”
AT REVAMP RECYCLABLES near the Family Stage.
Our festival SANTA will visit with one and all in the Festival Craft
Hall #1, all 3 days, near the Main Stage, SANTA (joined at times by his
MERRY ELVES and TWINKLE TREES) will show kids a memorable visit & “sing
alongs” -- Santa will also stroll thru the Festival.
(Performer list subject to change, More acts to be added)
Massages down near the Main Sage in Craft Hall #1 can perk up your visit
____
WONDERFUL MEALS AND DESSERTS SERVED FROM THE FESTIVAL KITCHENS, DRINKS OF
THE SEASON ~ (A WIDE VARIETY OF FESTIVAL FOOD VENDORS)
* SPIRO'S GYROS ~ real Greek meals! Gyros, lamb, chicken, falafel, hummus;
Breakfast served;
* ROAD DOG CATERING has BBQ Tri-tip, pulled pork, sausages, seafood
chowder, seared tuna;
* ORIENTAL CLASSICS ~ Chinese & Thai Specialties
* ARTICHOKE ENTERPRISES ~ artichokes, fries, crab, shrimp
* BRICK OVEN BAKED PIZZA
* ALDOS TACOS serves Tacos, Burritos, tamales, quesedilla, chili relleno
* THE CHOCOLATE FACTORY serves chocolate dipped bacon, cheese cakes,
fruit, ice cream;
* LOCKEFORD LEMONADE serves deep fried veggies, onion rings, calmari
* FESTIVAL KETTLE CORN
* CRAZY 4 NUTS GLAZED ALMONDS * CANNOLI ITALIAN DESSERTS *
FUNNEL CAKES
* JANA’S ESPRESSO COFFEE CAN CAFE ~ coffees, smoothies, baked goods, opens
up early!
* SIERRA WALDORF SCHOOL will serve beers, wines, drinks of the season.
FESTIVAL DATES & TIMES & LOCATIONS
The 39th Anniversary of the Sonora Christmas Festival 2013 will begin on
Friday, Nov 29---Saturday Nov 30 from 10 am to 5 pm --- Sunday, Dec 1 from
10am to 4pm.
Location is the Mother Lode Fairgrounds, downtown Sonora, Hwy 49 exit off
the bypass. Address:220 Southgate Dr, Sonora CA 95370.
Admission Friday thru Sunday is $7 Adults, $5 Seniors & Students, $2 for
Kids 6 to 12, Under 6 Free w/Adult Admission.
$1.00 off one adult admission discount cards are in most downtown Sonora
businesses, county wide motels & restaurants and are downloadable from
www.fireonthemountain.com
(Seniors' admission is already discounted). Shuttle bus sevices are
planned, details will be announced on website.
*********************
FREE SHUTTLE BUS sevices are planned as follows
Black Oak Casino Transportaion Shuttle, starts at 9:30am to 5:30 pm
(Fairgrounds)
Pick up/drop off location: BIG 5 Parking Lot on Sanguinetti Road, East
Sonora goes toto Mother Lode Fairgrounds every 1/2 hour --- Transportaion
Shuttle Runs Friday and Saturday Only, Nov 29-30. Tuolumne County Transit
picks up all over the county, will be going to Fairgrounds. Check their
schedule.
*********************
FOR SUNDAY ONLY:
A Special, Extra $1.00 Discount off Adult and Senior Admission will be
given for a canned food donation (still edible & in good condition) to
the Chritmas Can Tree and other organizations .
********************* Parking in the fairgrounds is $5.00 per vehicle.
Info Phone during the show hours only on NOV 29, 30, Dec 1 is 209-743-3518 ~
Prior to Nov 29 (Thanksgiving Day, please phone 209-533-3473).
Don't forget the annual Christmas Parade in downtown Sonora Fri. eve, Nov
23, from 5:30 pm.
Get downtown a little early before this very popular parade starts! see
www.sonoraca.net for info.