Happy Fourth of July! Valley Voice’s Calender of Events

July 4: Fourth of July festival and fireworks in Exeter

10K run, 2-mile walk and Horseshoe Tournament in Exeter City Park located at Chestnut and E streets. To register and for more information, call Exeter Community Services at 559-592-5262, Pancake Breakfast from 7 to 10 a.m. sponsored by the Exeter Fraternal Order of Eagles 3608. Tickets are $5 at the Exeter Eagles Lodge, 555 W. Visalia Rd. in Exeter or at the Exeter Chamber of Commerce, 101 W. Pine St. For more info, call 559-592-1771,The Exeter Lion’s Club presents the 74th Annual Free Fireworks Show at dusk in Exeter Lions Stadium located on east Rocky Hill Drive in Exeter.

July 5 – 13 “Hairspray” in Tulare

Winner of eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical, “Hairspray” is a family-friendly musical set in 1962 when plus-size Tracy Turnblad’s one desire is to dance on the popular Corny Collins TV show. July 5, 6, 9, 10, 11, 12 & 13 at 7:30 p.m. Sunday matinee July 7 at 2 p.m. Encore Theatre, 324 South N St., Tulare. 559 686-1300 or www.encoretulare.org

July 6, 13, 20 & 27 – Free Community Pool Party

from 12 to 3 p.m. at Redwood High School Pool and from 6 to 8 p.m. at Mt. Whitney High School Pool in Visalia. All ages welcome. Free. Cool off on a Saturday night and enjoy the pool, diving boards and family-friendly. Call (559) 713-4365 for more information. Jump in and enjoy the water during this lifeguard supervised pool time.

July 6: Gadabouts

Meeting 10:00am at the Senior Center, 310 N. Locust, Visalia. A group of active seniors who love to travel and love to travel together! info, Barbara Davis 732-5066  

July 6: 1st Saturday in Three Rivers

Visit artist studios and artists at work from 11-5. Pick up a map at the Three Rivers Historical Museum, 42268 Sierra Dr. (Highway 198) or the Arts Center, 41673 North Fork Dr. Free www.1stsaturdaytr.com

July 8: “Meet the Mayor”

Visalia Mayor Bob Link welcomes Visalia residents to meet the mayor as he holds office hours on Monday. Meetings are conducted in 15-minute increments and allow citizens time to meet one on one with Mayor Link and discuss City matters and items of interest. All meetings will be by appointment time and start at 5 p.m.  Office hours will be held at the City of Visalia Administration Office located across from the Transit Center at 220 N. Santa Fe. Questions, or to book an appointment time, contact Kathy Rouse, City of Visalia Administration, at 713-4355. To reach Mayor Link directly, email [email protected]

July 9: Visalia Economic Development Corporation Job Fair

Annual job fair coordinated by the VEDC 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Tuesday, at California Dairies, 2000 N. Plaza Drive.Participants to date include University of Phoenix, Fresno Pacific University, ServiceMaster, Sequoia Adult Education Consortium, Hydrite, USA Staffing, VWR, California Dairies and Electric Motor Shop. Information Nancy Lockwood, executive director, at 733-3737 or [email protected].

July 11: Avi Kaplan – The Otherside Tour

Avi Kaplan, graduate of Mt. Whitney High School in Visalia, and former member of Pentatonix returns home for The Otherside Tour at the Visalia Fox Theatre 300 W Main Doors: 6:30 pm | Show: 7:30 pm. Tickets $24.00 – $65.00 559.625.1369 foxvisalia.org

July 12:  Non-political prayer vigil for the refugees in Human Detention Camps

Make your voices heard and to stop the inhumane treatment of refugee children and families through peaceful speeches/music/prayers, Zumwalt Part Gazebo 400 Block, East Tulare, Friday, 8:00-9:00

July 13: Hot Dog Festival

Three Rivers Historical Museum hosts annual Hot dog Festival 10:00 am – 4:00pm, 42268 Sierra Drive, Three Rivers, Hot Dogs • Polish Dogs Veggie Dogs with all the fixin’s, Frito boats & chili, Corn on the Cob, A&W Float Mobile serving Root Beer Floats, Full Meal Deal for only $8.00, Bucket brigade competition between fire fighters and kids. Three Rivers Volunteer Firefighters are cooking for us and sharing in the proceeds of this event. Join us for a whole lot of fun! 

July 13; Proud to Wear Pink ~ Real Men Wear Pink

Tulare Hospital Foundation Presents its annual Proud to Wear Pink fundraiser.

Join the fight against all cancers! 4:00 Doors Open, 4:30 Expo Begins (Wellness Information, Vendor Boutique, Silent Auction, Networking) 6:00 Main Event – Cancer Survivor Tribute, Dinner – Fashion Show, Live Designer Purse Auction, Jewelry Raffle. Info Jan Smith, Executive Director  685-3438 Office, jan@tularehospitalfoundation.org

July 13: Exhibit “Oils by Grace” Tulare Historical Museum

The Heritage Art Gallery at THM is happy to announce the opening of our newest exhibit “Oils by Grace” from 5:00-7:00pm with a reception for the artist, Grace Harvey,  The reception is open to the public and free of charge. THM hours of operation are 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. Thursday – Saturday. Admission is free.  

July 19-27: Read all about it! Paper Mill Playhouse presents Newsies

20. J. Williams Theater, 1001 W. Main St. in Visalia. Tickets are $8-$20. For more information, visit tcoe.org.

July 20: The Real Mooney’s Grove Project meeting

At the Mooney’s Grove Bridge on at 10:00 am. They encourage any community members to come and support the ongoing project. 

July 21: The Elton John musical tribute

The Rocket Man Show, will perform at 7 p.m. at the Fox Theatre in Visalia. Tickets are $33 to $55 at foxvisalia.org.

July 27: 3rd Annual Boots, Brews and Bacon Festival

3rd Annual  Boots, Brews and Bacon Festival at the Visalia Convention Center. The Boots Brews and Bacon Festival is a beer tasting festival designed to build the appreciation of craft brew all while listening to live music and enjoying BACON! The festival will feature over 75 craft beers. Local restaurants will be sampling their best bacon inspired tastes for you to savor. In addition to crafts, domestics, imports and specialty ciders, root beer provided by the A&W Root Beer Float Mobile will be available for sampling. Wine provided by Cacciatore Fine Wines will also be available Tickets are on sale and can be purchased at the Visalia Convention Center Box Office, Monday through Friday, or online at www.visaliatix.com. For more information call the Visalia Convention Center Box Office at (559) 713-4040.

August 3: 1st Saturday in Three Rivers

Arts Consortium presents event from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Art studios, restaurants and merchants open their doors and invite all for a town-wide celebration. Go to the Three Rivers Historical Museum, 42268 Sierra Hwy. for a map of participating venues. Info, visit 1stsaturdaytr.com or call 559-561-3463.

Aug 22: The State of the County Luncheon

Visalia Marriott at the Convention Center 300 S Court St, Visalia, 11:30 AM – 1:30 PM. The State of the County Luncheon serves as a forum for the Tulare County Board of Supervisors to highlight the county’s accomplishments, outline a foundation for the future and recognize an area.This year Tulare County Board of Supervisor Chairperson Kuyler Crocker will award California Citrus Mutual the Tulare County Outstanding Partner Award. Please contact the Visalia Chamber of Commerce with questions about tickets or sponsorships.

September 15: Boots and Brews 

Celebrate Flag Day the American way with the Exeter Republican Women Federated, 6:00 – 7:00,VIP reception, 7:00pm Program and Dinner at The Pine Residence, 1600 Palm Rd. Exeter. Event sponsored by Tulare County Supervisor Kuyler Crocker and candidate for TCBOS District 1 Larry Micari, Distinguished speakers, Dinner and Raffle, Tickets $75, VIP $125. Info 280-3726 or 972-3707.

September 27: Oktoberfest

This year’s event is on Friday, at Vossler Farms. With your ticket you’ll get food samplings, wine tastings, and of course, beer tastings from local breweries. We’ll also have some incredible live music. Our goal is to share the Central Valley’s best food, wine, beer, and entertainment with the community. Tickets are NOW available! A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available the month of July (or until they sell out) for $45. Starting August 1, tickets will go up to $50. The week of the event, tickets will go up one last time to $60 and we’ll likely sell out again this year, so don’t wait! 

Through July 18: The Visalia Branch Library Thursday shows

Every Thursday at 11am and 3pm in the Children’s Wing, E&M Reptile, June 13th, Ballet Folklorico Sierra Linda, June 20th, Magician Tim Mannix, June 27th, Reptile Ron, July 11th, Steve Martin’s Working Wildlife, July 18.

Through July 19: Movies in the Park

Films are shown on our giant inflatable movie screen at dusk. Free. Bring a blanket or lawn chair and sit back and enjoy the show! Guests are welcome to bring picnic dinner and snacks. Riverway Sports Park Special Event Promenade (3511 N. Dinuba Blvd.) June 14th – Smallfoot, June 21st – Lilo & Stitch, June 28th – Aquaman, July 5th – The Emperor’s New Groove, July 12th – Spider-Man into the Spider-Verse, July 19th – How to Train Your Dragon. Call (559) 713-4365 for more information.

Through July 19 Activities for Teens (ages 13-19) Visalia Library

Teen Art Workshop “Express Yourself” Instructor: Lisa Alvarado, June 14th 3:00 – 4:30pm (Blue Room) Tween/Teen Poetry Writing Workshop, Instructor: Erin Elliott, June 15th 3:00 – 4:30pm (Purple Room) Teen Art Workshop “Let It Go” Instructor: Lisa Alvarado, June 21st  3:00 – 4:30pm (Blue Room) Art Workshop “The Power of You,” Instructor: Lisa Alvarado Saturday, July 13th 2:30 – 4:30pm (Blue Room) Teen Board & Video Games, July 19th  4:00 – 5:45pm  (Blue Room)

Through July 12 Activities for Tweens (ages 10-13) Visalia Library

Tween/Teen Poetry Writing Workshop, Instructor: Erin Elliott, Saturday, June 15th    3:00 – 4:30pm (Purple Room) Tween Art Workshop, Instructor Mikayla Gutierrez,  Friday, June 28th from 3:00 – 5:00pm (Blue Room), Tween Art Workshop, Friday, July 12th 3:00 – 5:00pm

Through July 20: Summer Reading Program Visalia Library

Stop by the library to register and get your reading log! As you meet your reading goals earn prizes. For children ages 1-18, we can feed their bodies as well with our Summer Lunch at the Library program. Free meals are served Tuesdays-Fridays at 12:30pm.

Through July 19: Summer Reading Programs and Entertainment

Lindsay, Springville and Strathmore, Pixley, Alpaugh, Earlimart, Tipton  Exeter, Farmersville, Three Rivers, Woodlake, Dinuba, Ivanhoe, London, and Orosi Libraries dishes up fun and excitement with the free programs at your local Tulare County Branch Library. Participants can sign up throughout the program to get their reading logs to earn prizes and be entered into drawings for more prizes. The earlier you sign up, the greater the fun. Each of the branches has entertainers, events and special reading activities every Wednesday and Thursday June 12 – July 18. Three Rivers, Earlimart and Tipton Library events are on Fridays.

Through July 16th Toddler Storytimes

Every Tuesday at 10am, in the Children’s Wing o the Visalia Library

Through July 17: Activities for Kids and Families Visalia Library

Lego Club, every Wednesday from 2:00pm – 3pm, Pajama Storytime every Wednesday at 6:30pm, June 12th – July 17th, Movies every Funtastic Friday at 2pm and 4pm, board games & Xbox Kinect at 3pm, every Friday.