Events

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas. Rancho Murieta's Christmas tree lighting begins at 5:45 p.m. Friday at Stonehouse Park. Santa will be along at 6 to light the tree, take gift requests and pose for photos. There will be warm refreshments, cookies and holiday cheer. It’s sponsored by the Rancho Murieta Optimist Club and the Rancho Murieta Association. Read more » about Tree lighting begins at 5:45 p.m.

The Halloween Championship Show at Murieta Equestrian Center marked its 17th year this weekend, and the Saturday night costume contest for riders and their horses brought out the Halloween spirit in everyone as different age groups competed for the grand prize of $500. The first group, age 7 and under, set the pace with a princess on a unicorn/pony, a bumblebee boy atop a flower garden, and other exotic creations. A mermaid with a tail of glowing green lights took first place honors in the group. (Click photo for larger image.) Read more » about Horses, riders, spectators in Halloween mood

→ Photo gallery from Blues & Brews (36 photos)

A golden autumn afternoon set the scene for the Kiwanis Club’s 14th annual Blues & Brews event at Lake Clementia Amphitheater Saturday. The celebration featured plenty of brews for the crowd to sample (and some wines, too), plus games, raffles, food trucks and live music from an award-winning blues band, Matt Rainey & The Dippin' Sauce. The event is one of the main fundraisers for the Kiwanis Club, which provides Kids Fishing Day, the Easter Egg Hunt, the Fourth of July Pancake Breakfast and other community activities. (Click photo for larger image.) Read more » about A sure sign of autumn – Blues & Brews

The Kiwanis Club’s 14th Annual Blues & Brews festival, for adults 21 and over, will be held Saturday at Lake Clementia. New hours for the event are 3 to 7 p.m. Tickets are $30 in advance and $35 at the gate. The authentic blues music will be provided by Matt Rainey & The Dippin' Sauce, winner of two Sacramento Area Music Awards for Blues Band of the Year and winner of this year's International Blues Challenge Regional competition. Read more » Read more » about Blues & Brews offers new games and hours

Music Mike, who has been entertaining Rancho Murieta's little ones for years, makes a return visit 5 p.m. Sunday at Lake Clementia Amphitheater, thanks to the Rancho Murieta Kiwanis. Parents and grandparents are invited to join in the fun, so bring blankets, chairs and picnic baskets. Read more » about Music Mike makes his annual visit Sunday

→ Photo gallery: The crowd and the rides (80 photos)

There was a big orange harvest moon Friday night, but it was outshone at Stonehouse Park by the neon spectacular of Summerfest. As the annual carnival began its two-day run, crowds thronged the park to stroll the midway, snack on cotton candy and funnel cakes, and test their skill at games and their courage on the rides. There were carousel horses and miniature cars for the little kids, gravity-defying rides for the big kids, and all-time favorites like the ferris wheel and roller coaster. Aerial swings added glitz to the skyscape and emerged as a new crowd favorite. The fun continues Saturday, when gates open at noon. The schedule of events is here. Summerfest is a nonprofit organization, staffed by community volunteers, that funds scholarships and recreation projects. (Click photos for larger images.) Read more » about Summerfest returns to light the skies

Lots of carnival rides and food make for Summerfest, a Rancho Murieta tradition since 2000.

The days are getting shorter, and pretty soon carnival rides will be rising over Stonehouse Park. Yes, it’s time for Rancho Murieta’s Summerfest, coming up Friday and Saturday. Read more » Read more » about Get ready: This weekend is Summerfest

→ Photo gallery: the crowd and the show (30 photos)

Kenny Metcalf and his band of singers and musicians brought the music and spirit of Elton John to Lake Clementia Amphitheater Saturday night for the last show of Entertainment, Theatre & Culture's summer series before a crowd ETC estimated at 800. The virtuoso performance channeled 1970s Elton John, from the signature platform shoes, sequined jumpsuit and eyeglasses to the keyboard mastery and vocals that produced “Goodbye Yellow Brick Road,” “Philadelphia Freedom,” “Crocodile Rock” and a host of other hits. The evening began with a thank-you to this year's ETC volunteers and board members. In his encore comments, Metcalf spoke of a serious illness that nearly took his life a dozen years ago and the joy of his performances, which he was delighted to share with the crowd. Then he performed "Your Song." (Click photo for larger image.) Read more » about Elton John tribute wraps up ETC season

ETC brings down the curtain on another summer of entertainment with Saturday’s show at Lake Clementia Amphitheater, Kenny Metcalf as Elton & the Early Years Band. It’s a tribute to the greatness of early Elton John, with a band that can recreate the original album sounds skillfully. We’re giving away four tickets to a lucky Murietan; click to see how. Read more » Read more » about ETC wraps up season with Elton John tribute

Saturday evening was delightful, not at all a Hot August Night, but that was the theme at the Country Club gathering, which drew a bunch of collectible cars and a sellout crowd interested in dancing on the club's Terrace. (Click photo for larger image.) Read more » about A beautiful evening for Hot August Nights