Best Of Amador.com

Sutter Creek Farmers Market
2025-05-31 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-05-24 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-05-17 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-05-10 08:30 - 11:30, 2025-05-03 08:30 - 11:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | North Main Street Parking Lot, Gopher Flat Road and Main Street, Sutter Creek, California, 95685, United States
The Sutter Creek Farmers Market is back for 2025. Starting on May 3rd and running every Saturday through October 18th, the Sutter Creek Farmers Market will feature the best of agricultural, prepared foods, and handmade products of Amador County. The Sutter Creek Farmers Market will take place from 8:30 am to 11:30 am.

The Sutter Creek Farmers Market is produced by the Amador Farmers Market Association. In 2025, the Association is also producing Farmers Markets in Ione, Plymouth, and Volcano. The Amador Farmers Market Association is a member of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the California Women, Infant, & Children Food Assistant Program (WIC) and they accept payment from both programs.

As the Association says, “Meet your farmer. Enjoy locally-grown foods and flowers. Listen to live music. Get Fresh, Have Fun!”

For more information about the Farmers Market Association, please visit: amadorfarmersmarket.com/about-amador-farmers-market.For a list of vendors at the Farmers Market, please visit: amadorfarmersmarket.com/vendor-list.Call all local farmers, food provers, and artisans. You can join the vendor family this season. Please visit the vendor information and application at: amadorfarmersmarket.com/vendor-application.

AmadorArts Summer Concert Series
2025-05-30 18:00 - 20:00, 2025-05-23 18:00 - 20:00
Presented by Amador Arts, this beloved summer tradition brings live music to scenic outdoor venues every Friday evening (formerly referred as the TGIF Summer Concert Series). Grab your picnic blanket, bring the whole family, and enjoy a variety of local and regional talent in settings that showcase the beauty of Amador County. Food and beverages are available for purchase at many venues, and donations to the bucket at intermission help keep the music alive. Pets and outside alcohol are not permitted.

Each event is hosted at a different venue throughout the county, including historic locations like Kennedy Gold Mine and community parks like Pine Grove Park and Mollie Joyce Park. While all concerts are free, AmadorArts encourages attendees to donate during intermission to support future programming. Concerts are held from 6 to 8 PM, rain or shine, and often include fun, family-friendly extras like free art activities for kids. Bring your own picnic or enjoy food and drinks available for purchase on site or nearby.

List of Performances:

May 23 – Kool Shifters at Laughton Ranch, Jackson

May 30 – Stealing the Covers at Kennedy Gold Mine, Jackson

June 13 – Double Take Band at Mollie Joyce Park, Pioneer

June 27 – BabyBacks at Bella Grace, Sutter Creek

July 11 – Doppelgänger at Mollie Joyce Park, Pioneer

July 18 – Jadon Kulling at The Gardens at Sutter Creek

July 25 – Teal Wheels at Kennedy Gold Mine, Jackson

August 8 – Over the Edge at Volcano Amphitheatre, Volcano

August 15 – The Last Call at Mother Lode Land Trust, Jackson

August 22 – Blowbacks at Biacci Stage, Amador County Fairgrounds, Plymouth

August 29 – Room Shakers at Pine Grove Park, Pine Grove

September 5 – Black Irish Band at Cribbs Field, Minnie Provis Park, Sutter Creek

AmadorArts is a nonprofit organization dedicated to developing, elevating, and celebrating the arts and cultural community in rural Amador County. As a designated State-Local Partner to the California Arts Council, they offer concerts, classes, poetry readings, and other programming year-round. Founded in 1982, AmadorArts operates out of the historic Sutter Creek Grammar School.

Italian Picnic
2025-05-30 17:00 - 23:59 | Italian Picnic Grounds, 581 CA-49, Sutter Creek, CA, 95685, United States
The 143rd Annual Italian Picnic & Parade returns to Sutter Creek from Friday, May 30 through Sunday, June 1, 2025, continuing a long-standing Amador County tradition filled with food, music, dancing, and community spirit. Hosted at the Italian Picnic Grounds, the weekend includes a full carnival, vendor booths, and a celebration of Italian culture and heritage.
The festivities begin Friday evening when gates open at 5:00 PM. A wine and beer tasting will be held from 6:00 to 9:00 PM, featuring local wineries and breweries. Live music and dancing will continue into the night, with the grounds open until midnight. On Saturday, the picnic opens at noon. Highlights include the all-ages spaghetti eating contest at 1:00 PM and the traditional Chicken & Ravioli Dinner at 7:00 PM (cocktails begin at 6:00 PM). The dinner is $50 and tickets can be purchased at the link below. Sunday starts with the Grand Parade through downtown Sutter Creek at 10:30 AM, followed by a tri-tip barbecue at the picnic grounds at noon. BBQ plates are $20. Each day also features salami toss competitions, bingo, and a variety of carnival games and rides.
The Italian Picnic is held at 581 Highway 49 in Sutter Creek. Hours are Friday from 5:00 PM to midnight, Saturday from noon to midnight, and Sunday from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM. Entry to the picnic grounds is free. Dinner and BBQ tickets can be reserved through the Italian Benevolent Society’s website at www.italianbenevolentsociety.com or by calling 209-267-0206. For questions or reservations, you can also email italiansocietyamador@gmail.com.

Music at the Mine
2025-05-24 17:00 - 21:00 | Kennedy Gold Mine, 12594 Kennedy Mine Road, Jackson, CA, 95642, United States
The Houserockers return to Jackson for Music at the Mine on Saturday, May 24, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 9:00 PM at the historic Kennedy Mine. This benefit concert supports the Kennedy Mine Foundation and brings the energy of a full 10-piece rock and soul band to one of Amador County’s most iconic outdoor venues.
The Houserockers, dubbed by KFOX Radio the “Best Cover Band in the Bay Area,” are known for their lively shows, featuring a five-piece horn section and a powerful rhythm group covering timeless rock, soul, and R&B classics. Guests are encouraged to bring blankets or lawn chairs and be ready to dance under the spring sky.
Tickets are $30 for adults and $5 for youth if purchased in advance, or $35 at the door. Food, beer, and wine will be available for purchase on site. No outside alcohol is permitted. The Kennedy Mine is located at 12594 Kennedy Mine Road, Jackson, CA 95642. For ticket information and updates, visit kennedygoldmine.com or call 209-223-9542.

Knight Foundry Demonstration Days
2025-05-24 10:00 - 15:00, 2025-05-10 10:00 - 15:00 | Knight Foundry, 81 Eureka Street, Sutter Creek, CA, 95685, United States
The Knight Foundry, dubbed “America’s last water-powered foundry and machine shop,” opens it doors every second Saturday for tours of the Foundry. Come see blacksmiths using antique tools and equipment just as they would have done during the Gold Rush-era. Learn the history of this shop that did much than just forge metal but that invented and produced mechanical works of wonder that allowed the mining industry to thrive throughout the West. The Foundry is a special place, listed on the National Register of Historic Places and recognized as a National Historic Mechanical Engineering Landmark and a California Registered Historical Landmark.

The Knight Foundry Second Saturday Tours are open from 10 am to 3 pm every Second Saturday of the Month. Admission is $15 for adults 18 and old, $5 for students age 5 to 17, and free for children under 5. Admission is free for Knight Foundry Alliance members and for members of a museum affiliated with the North American Reciprocal Membership program. Tickets are sold at the door, no reservations are necessary.

The Knight Foundry is located at 81 Eureka Street in Sutter Creek, California. For more information about the Foundry, please visit their website at knightfoundry.com or contact the Foundry at 209-560-6160 or info@knightfoundry.com.

Volcano Farmers Market
2025-05-18 08:00 - 17:00 | Volcano Main Street, Main Street, Volcano, CA, 95689, United States
Returning for the second year is the now rebranded Volcano Farmers Market. Discover the charm of small town Volcano, the newest addition to Amador County’s farmers market scene. Beginning on April 27th and then held every third Sunday from May 18th through December 21st, this market is open from 9:30 am till 12:30 pm on Main Street and Consolation Streets in Volcano.

Shop for fresh produce, local goods, and handmade crafts while enjoying the small-town atmosphere. It’s the perfect Sunday outing for the whole family!

For more information, visit amadorfarmersmarket.com.

Bus Stop
2025-05-17 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-16 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-11 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-10 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-09 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-04 14:00 - 16:00, 2025-05-03 19:30 - 21:30, 2025-05-02 19:30 - 21:30 and 1 more date | Cobblestone Theatre, 16138 Main Street, Volcano, CA, 95689, United States
Running from April 11 through May 17, Volcano Theatre Company presents Bus Stop, William Inge’s classic slice‑of‑life drama set in a rural Kansas diner during a blizzard. Stranded bus passengers, an earnest cowboy smitten with a wary nightclub singer, a restless professor, a no‑nonsense sheriff, and others, share the long night, revealing hopes, heartbreaks, and unexpected connections that are by turns humorous and tender. First staged on Broadway in 1955, the play’s intimate portraits of ordinary people still resonate today.

Staged in the company’s intimate Cobblestone Theatre, this production surrounds the audience with the warmth of the diner itself, giving every patron a front‑row feeling only a few feet from the action.

Performances are Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 PM and Sundays at 2:00 PM. Tickets are $24 for general admission and $22 for seniors. The Cobblestone Theatre is located at 16121 Main Street, Volcano, CA 95689. For tickets and additional details, visit volcanotheatre.net/bus‑stop or call the box office. This production is proudly sponsored by Sterling Auto Repair.

Operation Care 2025 Wine Tasting & Sock Hop
2025-05-17 11:00 - 14:00 | Logan’s Alley, 2 Water Street, Jackson, California, 95642, United States
Operation Care’s 2025 Wine Tasting & Sock Hop returns to Logan’s Alley on Saturday, May 17, from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM. Held beside the National Hotel in downtown Jackson, this community event combines wine tasting, live music, and vintage flair, all in support of a great local nonprofit doing meaningful work in the community.

Guests 21 and over can purchase a $25 wine tasting ticket, which includes pours from participating Amador County Chamber wineries and a commemorative wine glass to take home. Free live music will set the tone for the afternoon, inviting attendees to dance and enjoy the atmosphere of this casual open-air celebration. Wine tasting is limited to the designated Sock Hop area, and no outside alcohol is permitted.

All proceeds benefit Operation Care, which provides vital support services to individuals and families affected by domestic violence and sexual assault in Amador County. For more information, follow @operationcareamador on Instagram or visit operationcare.org.

4x4 Show & Shine
2025-05-17 10:00 - 15:00 | Les Schwab Tire Center, 10861 CA-49, Jackosn, California, 95642, United States
Motherlode Rock Crawlers will host a 4×4 Show & Shine on Saturday, May 17, 2025, bringing a field of rigs to the Les Schwab Tire Center in Jackson for a day that highlights responsible four-wheel driving and club camaraderie. From 10 AM until 3 PM owners can park, display, and compare vehicles while spectators browse the rows, talk equipment, and vote for their favorite entries.

Judging concludes with three awards: Best in Show, People’s Choice, and Most Used (the “beat-up” prize). Vehicle registration is $10 at the gate; admission is free for spectators. Raffle tickets are $5 each, with prizes to be announced, and the grounds will include food vendors, kid-friendly games, and information booths. The club is still accepting vendor applications; interested businesses can reach out through the Motherlode Rock Crawlers Facebook page.

The event takes place at Les Schwab Tire Center, 10861 State Highway 49-88, Jackson, CA 95642.

Ione Homecoming
2025-05-10 09:00 - 21:00, 2025-05-09 17:00 - 23:00 | Charles Howard Park, 600 S Church St, Ione, CA, 95640, United States
Ione’s 149th Annual Homecoming returns to Howard Park on Friday and Saturday, May 9 and 10, continuing a tradition that has brought friends, families, and alumni together since 1876. Presented by the Ione Picnic Association, the weekend showcases local talent, hometown pageantry, and more small‑town fun than one day can hold.

Friday night warms up with the carnival midway, the Horseshoe Pits, and live music that starts with Green Broke at 6 PM and into FreezeOut at 9:30 PM. Saturday launches early with a pancake breakfast at Tim’s Pizza from 7:30 to 10:30 AM; the Bedbug Challenge 5 K Color Run at 8 AM; and the Homecoming Parade marches down Main Street at 9 AM. At Howard Park, the action kicks off with the Andy Bonham Memorial Team Roping in the Ed Hughes Memorial Arena at 11 AM; Salsa and Chili Cook‑Off at 12:30 PM; the Frog Jump and Route 88’s beer‑garden set at 1 PM; a candy drop and Rib Cook‑Off at 3:30 PM; lawn‑mower races at 4 PM; The Last Call Band on the Picnic Hill stage at 5 PM; the Ione High School Alumni Dinner at 5:30 PM; Triple Threat onstage at 8 PM; and the Homecoming Rodeo under arena lights that same evening. Between events, visitors can browse vendors, cheer soap‑box derby runs, test their aim in the cornhole tournament, or keep youngsters busy at the Kids’ Corner and petting zoo.

The 2025 celebration runs Friday evening from 6:00 PM until the carnival lights fade and Saturday from 7:30 AM breakfast to the last encore around 10:00 PM. Ione Homecoming takes place at Charles Howard Park at 600 S. Church Street, Ione, CA 95640; carnival pre‑sale wristbands are $40 cash only (text Kristin at 209‑327‑6602), and rodeo entries go through Christine Gold at 209‑256‑4111. For schedules, parade details, and updates, visit the Parade Association’s Facebook page at facebook.com/IoneHomecoming2021 or sign up for the newsletter at ione‑picnic‑association.mailchimpsites.com.

Preston Castle Haunt Builders Expo
2025-05-04 14:00 - 16:00 | Preston Castle, 900 Palm Drive, Ione, CA, 95640, United States
Preston Castle is recruiting volunteers to help design and build the 2025 Preston Castle Haunt, offering a chance to turn creative concepts into full-scale sets inside Northern California’s only “real” haunted castle. The project needs people with building, set-design, prop-making, or general craft skills; no prior haunt experience is required, only an interest in teamwork and safe construction practices.

An orientation and planning session will be held on Sunday, May 4, 2025, from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM. Attendees will meet the build leads, review safety guidelines, and tour the castle at 2:00 PM or 3:30 PM to see where their ideas could take shape. Volunteers must be at least thirteen years old.

The gathering takes place at Preston Castle, 900 Palm Drive, Ione, CA 95640. Preston Castle Foundation is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit; service hours may qualify for community-service credit. For details on the Haunt build or other volunteer opportunities, visit prestoncastle.org or call 209-256-3623.

Troop 78's Mother's Day Dinner
2025-05-03 17:00 - 20:00 | Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church, 16450 McKenzie Dr., Pioneer, California, 95666, United States
Troop 78 will host its second annual Mother’s Day Dinner on Saturday, May 3, 2025, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Our Lady of the Pines, 16450 McKenzie Drive in Pioneer. The evening begins with a tri-tip dinner accompanied by pasta, salad, and bread, followed by an ice-cream bar for dessert.

Guests can take part in a silent auction, a raffle, and a no-host bar serving beer and wine. Tickets are $40; to reserve a seat, call Teresa at 209-992-9716.

Proceeds support Troop 78, Amador County’s only all-girl Boy Scout troop, funding camping trips, community-service projects, and skill-building activities for its members.

Amador Four Fires
2025-05-03 12:00 - 16:00 | Amador County Fairgrounds, 18621 Sherwood Street, Plymouth, CA, 95669, United States
Amador Four Fires returns to the Amador County Fairgrounds on Saturday, May 3, 2025, gathering wineries, chefs, and guests for a day that links open-fire cooking with the wines of four benchmark regions, France’s Rhône Valley, Italy, Spain (Iberia), and Heritage California. VIP ticket-holders enter at 11:00 AM; general admission follows at 12:00 PM, and tastings, food stations, and music continue until 4:00 PM.

More than two dozen Amador producers will pour reserve and limited-production wines alongside gold-medal favorites, while local restaurants prepare dishes over live flames to match each regional theme. The indoor–outdoor layout leaves room for demonstrations, a silent auction, artisan vendors, and a tasting area pouring locally brewed beer and wines by the glass. Guests can meet winemakers, attend short talks, or simply move between the four fire pits sampling as they go.

Tickets are limited. VIP access is $125, with a small allotment at a $115 pre-release price. This includes early entry, parking, a commemorative glass, four cuisine tickets, a meet-and-greet zone, and a swag bag. General admission is $85 (or $75 pre-release) and opens at noon; Designated Driver admission is $40 and includes food and non-alcoholic beverages. The event is 21-and-over. The fairgrounds are located at 18621 Sherwood Street, Plymouth, CA. For details or to purchase tickets, visit amadorfourfires.com or call 209-245-6992. Partial proceeds benefit the Amador County Fair Foundation.

Plymouth Flea Market
2025-05-03 08:00 - 14:00 | Main Street, Main Street, Plymouth, CA, 95669, United States
Join the Rotary Club of Passport to Amador and the entire Plymouth community for a day of treasure hunting at the 30th annual Plymouth Flea Market. The Flea Market features a variety of vendors selling vintage and second hand items, including clothing, accessories, home decor, tools, toys, and more.

As always, the Plymouth Flea Market features a community pancake breakfast at City Hall. This year the pancake breakfast will run from 8 to 10 am and will be $14 with a discount for children 8 and under.

Do you have some treasures that you would like to sell? Booths are still available and only $40. Information about booth space can be found at www.plymouthfleamarket.com. For questions, please email plymouthfleamarket@gmail.com.

Admission to the flea market is free and all ages are welcome. The flea market will be located on Main Street in Plymouth, California.

5th Annual Poppy Pedal
2025-04-27 09:30 - 14:00 | Amador City, Amador City, CA, 95601, United States
On Sunday, April 27, 2025, from 9:30 AM to 2:00 PM, the 5th Annual Poppy Pedal invites riders of all ages and skill levels to gather in Amador City for a relaxed cycling event that winds through scenic backroads and historic spots. Participants can choose between a short, family-friendly route of around three miles or a longer option of roughly twenty miles, with both routes offering a mix of paved and dirt roads. Mountain or gravel bikes are encouraged due to occasional bumpy terrain, though road bikes are still welcome.

Riders set off rain or shine and are asked to sign a waiver on the day of the event; a suggested donation of ten dollars helps support local trail stewardship. Bike rentals and tune-ups will be available on-site for those who need them, and a lighthearted Poppy Pedal Poker Run will add an extra element of fun as participants collect cards along the route for a chance at a small prize. After finishing, visitors can explore the area’s local eateries or stop by the nearby pet adoption booth to meet animals seeking their forever homes.

The 5th Annual Poppy Pedal will begin at 14141 Old Route 49 in Amador City, California, 95601. To register, please visit the Poppy Pedal registration page. For more information, contact that Amador Trail Stewardship at info@AmadorTrailStewardship.com.
