Santa Cruz Parent

Boardwalk Fun Run
2024-03-23 06:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Beach Boardwalk, CA, United States
Join the 1K and 5K family-friendly Boardwalk Fun Run
Saturday, April 1, 8am

Swap out your flip flops for running shoes and join the fun with this family-friendly race through the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk!
1K- Ages 12 and Under
5K- Ages 4 and Up
Celebrate your accomplishment with:

Finisher medal
Boardwalk treats
Up to 2 hours of free-play in the Casino Arcade
$15 Off Ride Wristband for race day

Continue the fun after the race is over! Go on rides, play games and enjoy the beach!
This year a portion of the proceeds will benefit Jacob’s Heart Children’s Cancer Support Services.

Register Now
Online reistration ends March 22. Limited onsite registration is available on event day from 7-8am at the Season Pass/Group Services Office. Availability not guaranteed.

Race Info

Race-Day Timeline

6:30am: Race Registration and Bib Pick-Up
7:30am: Warm-up led at the Pirate Ship Stage
8am: 1K Race Starts
8:30am: 5K Race Starts
8:30am -10:45am: Free-Play in arcades for participants with event bibs (kids under 12 with bib can have one non-participant adult chaperone)
8:45am – 9:30am: DJ Entertainment on the Pirate Ship Stage
9:30am: Course Closed
10:30am: Awards at the Pirate Ship Stage
11am: Boardwalk Rides Open

Live Oak Jack Rabbit 1-Mile Run and Student Art Contest
2024-04-14 08:45 | Shoreline Middle School, 855 17th St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95062, United States
Live Oak Jack Rabbit 1-Mile Run and Student Art Contest FUNdraiser
Sunday, April 14, 8:45am

The 3rd annual Live Oak Jack Rabbit 1-Mile Run and Student Art Contest FUNdraiser will take place on Sunday, April 14th, at Shoreline Middle School on 17th Avenue in Santa Cruz, CA. Opening ceremonies begin at 8:45 AM. Registration for the 1-mile races on the USATF-certified track are open to the public online at: http://tinyurl.com/LOJR2024
The first wave of runners takes off at 9:00 AM and races continue every 15 minutes through 11:45 AM. Race registration fee is $10 per runner with the funds raised going to support the art program for the Live Oak School District students.
All are invited to join this community fun run for the 1-mile challenge as a solo runner or as part of a relay team, view student art on display and cast your vote for your favorites, browse the merchant marketplace, enjoy food, entertainment, and community partner booths.
For more information about the event sponsor, the Live Oak Education Foundation non-profit group, visit their website at: www.LiveOakEdFoundation.org

Run for Reading with Live Like Coco
2024-04-20 08:30 | Pinto Lake Park, 451 Green Valley Road, Watsonville, CA, 95076, United States
Run for Reading with Live Like Coco
Saturday, April 20, 8:30am (Verify event times.)
Help Live Like Coco this Spring at our Run for Reading or other Community Events! We need lots of volunteers to support our Run for Reading and other spring events!
Here’s how to help: https://forms.gle/5VqbJAibcEcAwcjo8

Once you have submitted your preferred dates, our team will be in touch with details! If you can only work part of the time, please note that in the “special requests” section. Thanks so much for being part of this work!

Thanks to everyone who joined us at the 2023 fun run. We had a blast!
This year’s event will be held on April 20, 2024 at Pinto Lake County Park. More info to come.
All registration proceeds go to Live Like Coco Foundation to support kids and reading in the Santa Cruz County area.

Register now

The Live Like Coco Run for Reading

Pinto Lake County Park in Watsonville

Runners and walkers complete a rolling 5K loop that starts in the park’s main picnic area and follows the trails around the lake’s edge. Also: a free 1K for kids 12 and under!

Not only do you get to run or walk through one of the prettiest spots in our county, you’ll also be treated to art, yoga and more. All finishers get a book bag and all kids get free books.
Also, by registering, you’re supporting the Live Like Coco Foundation’s literacy programs, which last year donated more than 14,000 thousand books to kids in the Santa Cruz County area. We also support our local public and school libraries, and find other exciting ways to support reading in our area.

Be Natural Music at Pono Hawaiian Grill
2024-04-25 16:00 - 20:00 | Pono Hawiian Grill, 120 Union St, Santa Cruz, CA, CA, 96050, United States
Be Natural Music at Pono Hawaiian Grill
Thursday, April 25, 4 – 8pm
Be Natural Music will feature their youth Rock and Jazz bands at Pono Hawaiian Grill in Santa Cruz on Thursday, April 25 from 4 – 8pm. Local residents are invited to drop by, grab a bite, a drink, and enjoy the music.
The Pono Hawaiian Grill concerts will kickstart Be Natural Music’s Spring Fundraising Season in which money is gathered for the facility’s scholarship program. This program helps families in financial need afford music classes.
Pono is showing their support by donating 15% of its proceeds from the shows to our Scholarship Fund. Attendees must mention that they’re here for the Be Natural Music event at the register in order for our scholarship program to receive their donation.
Pono Hawaiian Grill 120 Union St, Santa Cruz, CA 95060

Food Truck Friday - Skypark
2024-04-26 17:00 - 20:00 | Skypark Scotts Valley, CA, United States
Food Truck Friday – Skypark
Friday, April 26, 5-8pm
Our biggest community event is hosted the last Friday of each month at Skypark. Food Truck Fridays feature a beer and wine garden 100% benefiting SVEF, live music, face painting by Brenda, a great variety of food trucks and desserts! Thanks to our very generous sponsor, Mari Rossi, and our partners at Scotts Valley Parks & Rec. Something for everyone, come out and play!
Our kickoff event on April 26th will feature: LIVE MUSIC by IDENTITY PROBLEM
Great variety of food trucks, including:
Aunt Lali’s Ice Cream (SOON TO BE Uncle Josh’s Rollin Snack Shack)
Epoch Eats
Kuki’s Bowl
Mattia Pizza
Pesce Veggie
S.C. Eatery
Taquizas Gabriel
The Beer & Wine Garden will be hosted by SVEF and will receive 100% of the profits.
Brenda’s Face Painting

34th Annual Omega Nu Ducky Derby Goes VIRTUAL
2024-04-27 10:30 - 15:30 | Online – http://duckyderbysantacruz.org, 326 Evergreen St,, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
34th Annual Omega Nu Ducky Derby Goes VIRTUAL
Saturday, April 27 10:30am – 3:30pm
Ducky Derby 2024
With the current outbreak of Shigella at Harvey West Park, the City of Santa Cruz requested that we don’t hold a public event. They are working to contain the outbreak. The women of Omega Nu are committed to the well-being of our community and our focus is on protecting our beautiful children and seniors who are especially vulnerable. For this reason, the 34th Annual Ducky Derby will not be held at Harvey West Park Friendship Garden on April 27th.
But wait! You can still support Omega Nu’s Ducky Derby. On April 27th we will hold multiple VIRTUAL races where you can still win terrific prizes while supporting the community. Go to duckyderbysantacruz.org for information.
Please continue to support Ducky Derby through duck adoptions, prize donations, and sponsorships. The community needs all of our continued support. Students heading to college, local charities, and teachers that we support year after year are depending upon us.
To learn more about how you can support the Santa Cruz community through Omega Nu and Ducky Derby, please visit our website duckyderbysantacruz.org
Come and enjoy a great day at the park!

Summit for the Planet - May the Forest Be With You
2024-05-04 09:00 - 13:00 | Mount Madonna School, 491 Summit Rd, Watsonville, CA, 95076, United States
Summit for the Planet – May the Forest Be With You
Saturday, May 4, 9am – 1pm
Join us May 4 for an eco-festival featuring a family redwood hike, eco-carnival and much more. Come dressed as your favorite Star Wars character. More details to come!

Everyone is welcome and “may the forest be with you!” at the 18th annual Summit for the Planet on Saturday, May 4 from 9:00am to 1:00pm at Mount Madonna School.

This free admission public festival begins with a 5K family hike that winds through enchanted trails lined with majesticmredwoods and eucalyptus trees. Catch a glimpse of Monterey Bay at the finish line where you will be greeted with delicious vegetarian fare and live music. Wander the eco-carnival and enjoy games, live animals, a model solar-powered vehicle race, recycled “trash” fashion show and more!
With a nod to popular “Star Wars” culture, attendees are invited to come dressed as their favorite character from the film franchise and enjoy a fun, “intergalactic” Earth Day celebration. Note, please no lightsabers; weapons (or weapon-like accessories) of any kind are not allowed.

Hike registration begins at 9:00am; the hike starts at 10:00am, with the eco-carnival opening at 11:00am, followed by music, the Trash Fashion show and learning expo. The event concludes at 1:00pm.
From California kingsnakes and turkey vultures to barn owls and bearded dragons, the opportunity to get up close and hands-on with wildlife at the annual Summit for the Planet Earth Day festival is always a huge draw. Children and adults alike enjoy the many birds, reptiles and amphibians shared by the Bay Area Herpetological Society (BAHS) and Wildlife Education Rehabilitation Center (WERC), two participants in this community eco-festival.

With its unique spotlight on environmental education, the Summit for the Planet festival has grown to some 500 people of all ages, from south Santa Clara, San Benito, Santa Cruz and Monterey counties.

Mothers Day Fun Run Benefit
2024-05-12 07:00 - 10:30 | Pinto Lake Park, 451 Green Valley Road, Watsonville, CA, 95076, United States
Mothers Day Fun Run Benefit
Sunday, May 12, 7 – 10:30am
Join us for the 40th Annual Mother’s Day Run & Walk, a fantastic in-person event celebrating moms for the benefit of Pajaro Valley Shelter Services.

Pajaro Valley Shelter Services provides families with a path to stable, self-sufficient futures through short- and longer-term housing and supportive services.
About the Founding of Pajaro Valley Shelter Services.

“Dear Friends,
Newsweek Magazine gave 10 pages to a detailed description of homelessness in America in the January 2nd [1984] issue. There were plenty of stories and some telling statistics. We read it and identified with the struggles of the poor that we experience daily here at the shelter. The hard fact is that each of us can also ‘feel’ the limits of compassion. There is something in us that doesn’t want to hear any more stories of poverty, hunger and suffering. We know clearly our own limitations and inability to reach out to all. When that happens only our network with other people who care can save us from becoming cold and unfeeling in the midst of suffering. We need to nurture the ‘good Samaritan’ inside of ourselves and know there are others to support our efforts. This is our primary reason for sending you this newsletter. There are always needs in this house, but our most important link is to the network of ‘good Samaritans’ who keep compassion alive through their support of the poor.”
– Sr. Marie Veronica Wagner and Sr. Susan Olson, February 7th, 1984
Pajaro Valley Shelter Services was founded in 1983 by Sister Marie Veronica & Catholic Charities in response to the needs of women and children affected by homelessness in Watsonville.

Taco Tuesday - Skypark
2024-05-14 17:00 - 20:00 | Skypark Scotts Valley, CA, United States
Taco Tuesday – Skypark
2nd Tuesday of each month, May – October
Join us at Skypark for everyone’s favorite, TACOS, on Taco Tuesdays, a wonderful mid-week celebration on the 2nd Tuesday of each month May through October!
Join us for several of our local taco trucks bringing classic and unique twists on everything taco!
Taco Tuesdays also feature a beer and wine garden 100% benefiting local non-profits, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of Santa Cruz County.
Top off the evening with a special treat from Aunt Lali’s!
Taco Truck Line-up coming soon!

Food Truck Friday - Skypark
2024-05-31 17:00 - 20:30, 2024-06-28 17:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-26 08:00 - 17:00, 2024-07-26 17:00 - 20:30 | Skypark Scotts Valley, CA, United States
Food Truck Friday – Skypark
Last Friday of the month, 5-8pm
Join Food Truck A-Go-Go’s biggest community event the last Friday of each month at Skypark.
Food Truck Fridays feature

a beer and wine garden 100% benefiting SVEF
live music
face painting by Brenda
a great variety of food trucks and desserts!

Thanks to our very generous sponsor, Mari Rossi, and our partners at Scotts Valley Parks & Rec.
Something for everyone, come out and play!

Redwood Mountain Faire
2024-06-01 11:00 - 20:00 | Roaring Camp, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton, CA, 95018, United States
Redwood Mountain Faire
Saturday & Sunday, May 31 & June 1
Listen to great music on two stages and enjoy the day with friends and family in the Santa Cruz Redwoods. Enjoy locally-made crafts, food, beer, and wine. Kids 15 and under are free with a guardian.

Here’s a glimpse of what awaits you at the Redwood Mountain Faire:

Music all day on the Meadow and Creekside stages
Children’s activities area
Bounce house
Face painting
Locally-made arts & crafts
Food
Wines from Santa Cruz Mountains wineries
Beers and ales from from local microbreweries

A fun day with friends & family in the beautiful Santa Cruz Mountains
Schedule & Tickets

Funk Night with The Joint Chiefs An Elks Charity Fundraiser
2024-06-01 18:00 - 22:00 | Santa Cruz Elks Lodge #824, 150 Jewell Street, Santa Cruz, 95060, United States
Funk Night with The Joint Chiefs, An Elks Charity Fundraiser
Saturday, June 1, 6-10pm
Bring your funkiest moves and join us for a night of fun and dancing at the Santa Cruz Elks Lodge as we welcome The Joint Chiefs!
Doors open at 6 p.m. Music and dancing from 6:30-9:30 p.m. The first 100 guests will receive swag to help light up the dance floor!
All proceeds from this event benefit The Elks National Foundation Charity and Elk Childrens Charities. Tickets are $15 pre-paid, a limited number of tickets will be available at the door for $25. Book early!
21+ only
Fantastic fare from Christina’s Tacos and Catering will be available for purchase.
Stay Safe! We encourage use of Lyft/Uber, carpooling and designated drivers.
*Pricing for all Santa Cruz Elks events includes sales tax.

Tech Tails Weekend Mini Cat Town pop-up
2024-06-15 10:00 - 17:00, 2024-06-16 11:00 - 17:00 | The Tech, 201 S. Market St., San Jose, CA, 95113, United States
Tech Tails Weekend Mini Cat Town pop-up

Saturday 10am-5pm & Sunday 11am-5pm, June 15 & 16
Are you ready for a fur-tastic event of paws-itively inspiring innovation? Join us for Tech Tails Weekend!
Throughout the Tech Tails weekend you can meet some of San José’s friendliest residents—the kittens of Mini Cat Town! The popular kitten adoption nonprofit is hosting 15-minute sessions of kitten bliss. The best part is that these kittens will be available for adoption and may just find their forever home this weekend.

Reserve your spot at the Mini Cat Town kitten adoption pop-up at The Tech Interactive. Enjoy a fur-tastic day of paws-itively inspiring innovation!
Every ticket includes timed admission to the Mini Cat Town pop-up (select your time), all-day admission to The Tech Interactive, and one educational IMAX film. We even have something for dog lovers—Superpower Dogs plays all weekend at 1:30 p.m.!
Members can purchase discounted tickets to the Mini Cat Town experience by logging into their account and selecting a desired time slot.

Tickets on sale now!
June 15
June 16
“Superpower Dogs” returns to IMAX
View Trailer
Don’t miss the return of one of our most popular educational documentaries — ”Superpower Dogs.” Narrated by Chris Evans, this IMAX adventure showcases the life-saving superpowers and extraordinary bravery of some of the world’s most amazing dogs.
Showtimes: Saturday, June 15 & Sunday, June 16, 1:30pm

Food Truck Friday - Skypark
2024-06-28 17:00 - 20:00 | Skypark Scotts Valley, CA, United States
Food Truck Friday – Skypark
Last Friday of the month, 5-8pm
Join Food Truck A-Go-Go’s biggest community event the last Friday of each month at Skypark.
Food Truck Fridays feature

a beer and wine garden 100% benefiting SVEF
live music
face painting by Brenda
a great variety of food trucks and desserts!

June 28 – Fuel Up with Fantastic Food:
Rollin Snack Shack
Kuki’s Bowls
S.C. Eatery
Saucey’z
Scrumptious Fish & Chips
Tacos el Jesse
Taquizas Gabriel
Spontaneous Confections
The Cotton Candy Kid
Rock Out to Fire Peach!
More Fun for Everyone:
Face painting by Brenda’s Face Painting!
Support our schools at the SVEF Beer & Wine Garden.
Bring blankets or lawn chairs for extra comfort.
Friendly pups on leashes are welcome!

Paint Your Pet Fundraiser ~ Santa Cruz County Animal Shelter!
2024-07-14 11:00 - 14:00 | The Painted Cork – Arts, Crafts and Drafts, 2100 Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Paint Your Pet Fundraiser
Sunday, July 14, 12m-3pm
SCCAS Fundraiser at our studio on the west side of Santa Cruz!!Paint your Pet Warhol Style!
Join us for our 18th Paint Your Pet fundraiser for SCCAS on July 14th from 12m-3pm. Proceeds from this event go back to SCCAS!
Register for the event and then send us a picture of your pet to kim@paintedcork.com as soon as possible and no later than July 8th, and we will hand sketch it onto your canvas for you before the event!
Adoptable pets will be visiting the event! There will also be complimentary munchies and drinks available including bubbly and quiche appetizers! Don’t miss this fantastic event!
Booking: https://go.evvnt.com/2503454-2?pid=10427
General Admission: $75.00

California Rodeo 2024
2024-07-17, 2024-07-18, 2024-07-19, 2024-07-20, 2024-07-21 | California Rodeo, Salinas, CA, 93901, United States
California Rodeo
Wednesday July 17 and July 18-21

California Rodeo Salinas is BACK, and we are ready! Join us for all your favorite rodeo events, from bull riding to barrel racing. Tickets on sale now carodeo.com! ​​

The California Rodeo Salinas is one of the top 10 Professional Rodeos in the United States and the largest in California. Known in the rodeo world for our big arena and beautiful buckles, we are most proud of being a not-for-profit organization that gives back over $530,000 each year to local non-profits and western lifestyle/industry organizations.

It’s where the west comes alive! Non-stop action all four days of the Rodeo….saddle bronc riding, bull riding, barrel racing and much more for your entertainment. There is truly something for all ages including the kids corral, shopping, bar, saloon and more!!!

Family Events: https://www.carodeo.com/events/family-events

The Rodeo Carnival will be open July 17 – 21, 3 – 11pm daily, Carnival Site.
New! Kids Dummy Roping, https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/2024-kids-dummy-roping
The Stick Horse Race takes place Thursday, July 20 with a preliminary run at 4:30 pm and finals on the track during the performance that night. https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/stick-horse-race
The McDonald’s Kids Corral is a fun-filled, action-packed area for children and their parents. July 18 – 21; https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/kids-corral
Mutton Busting July 20, 6 – 9pm; July 17-21; Salinas Sports Complex, A crowd favorite, kids ages 4-7 ride sheep during each performance of the Rodeo, with the top 3 riders from each day coming back for the championship on Sunday. https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/mutton-busting
Autograph Party: July 18 – 21, 9:15pm, Salinas Sports Complex, https://www.carodeo.com/events/2024/autograph-party
TICKETS: https://www.carodeo.com/p/tickets
Know Before You Go: https://www.carodeo.com/p/about-us/knowbeforeyougoandparking

An Evening With The North Mississippi Allstars
2024-07-20 19:30 - 22:00 | Armitage Wines, Canham Road, Scotts Valley, CA, 95066, United States
Armitage Wines Presents An Evening With The North Mississippi Allstars
Saturday, July 30, 6:30-10pm
Armitage Wines presents An Evening With The North Mississippi Allstars at the Historic Heart O’the Mountain Estate in the Santa Cruz Mountains. With four Grammy Award nominations and sold out shows everywhere, they are one of the great American bands.
Don’t miss this electrifying soulful live show with spectacular views of the vineyards, redwoods and the Monterey Bay.
Valet and shuttle service, food and beverage on site, 21 and over. Doors at 6:30, show at 7:30.
This evening show benefits San Lorenzo Valley High School and Middle School Theater Arts Program.
Tickets: https://www.armitagewines.com/product/an-evening-with-the-north-mississippi-allstars/

Paint a Starry Pelican to Support Native Animal Rescue of Santa Cruz
2024-07-21 11:00 - 14:00 | The Painted Cork – Arts, Crafts and Drafts, 2100 Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Paint a Starry Pelican to Support Native Animal Rescue of Santa Cruz
Sunday, July 21, 12-3pm
Join us, painting and sipping, to support Native Animal Rescue FUNDRAISER in their efforts to save the dying pelicans.
Proceeds from this class will go to NAR! If you cannot attend this class, please donate directly to NAR through their website by clicking the link below.
DONATE TODAY
Tickets: https://go.evvnt.com/2503469-0?pid=10427
Category: Community | Fundraisers
General Admission: $ 55.00

Everyday Earth Day
2024-08-10 13:00 - 15:00 | Santa Cruz Elks Lodge, 150 Jewell Street, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060, United States
Everyday Earth Day
Saturday, August 10, 1 – 3pm

Santa Cruz Elks Lodge #824, 150 Jewell St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95060

Join us for an Everyday Day of earth-friendly activities and fun! The Santa Cruz Lodge is pleased to present Everyday Earth Day on Saturday, Aug. 10 from 1-3p.m.
Learn how you can take action to protect the environment. Activities include a Scavenger Hunt, Native Garden Bed Planting, “Make a Pledge Tree,” Bike Rack Painting and Craft Tables.
Special guests include the City of Santa Cruz, Ecology Action Bike Safe Program, Save Our Shores and Santa Cruz County.
Admission is just $5. Event proceeds will support the Elks Children’s Charities and is open to the public.

Make a splash at the 9th Annual Parks & Rex Dog Pool Party!
2024-08-17 14:00 - 19:00 | Simpkins Family Swim Center, 979 17th Ave, Santa Cruz, CA, 95062, United States
Make a splash at the 9th Annual Parks & Rex Dog Pool Party!

Saturday, August 17, 2-7pm

Join us to make a splash at the annual parks and rex dog pool party.

This annual pool party raises much needed funds for animal services and youth recreation programs throughout Santa Cruz County!

FUN FOR DOGS• Art projects• Tasty treats• and our guests of honor swim in the warm water pool!
FUN FOR PEOPLE• Food, beer, wine, and the debut of our new signature mocktail• Exciting games, paddlebboards, Wibit Obstacle Course, and more pool fun!
FUN FOR EVERYONE• Pawsonalized Pet Illustrations• Doggie & Me Agility Games• Music• Giveways
Plus enter to win THE ULTIMUTT RAFFLE Prize packages include a trip to Disneyland, tickets to the San Francisco Giants game, and more prize packages valuing up to $1,600! Winner need not be present to win.

TICKETS ARE ON SALE NOW Dogs: FREE!Kids: $5 presale/ $10 day ofAdults: $15 presale/ $20 day ofRaffle: $25

Fur full details & to purchase tickets, please visit:https://scparks.com/…/FindAPro…/Recreation/ParksRex.aspx

Water you waiting for? Get your tickets today!

Farm to Fork Dinner
2024-08-25 08:00 - 17:00 | UCSC – Center for Agroecology, 1156 High St, Santa Cruz, CA, 95064
Farm to Fork Dinner
Sunday, September 8: Dinner on the Farm: 4 – 7:30pm; Dancing in the Hay Barn 7:30 – 9:30pm
Join us September 8th for an evening on the UCSC Farm, featuring music, appetizers, tours, and local wine followed by a four-course family-style dinner on the farm overlooking the Monterey Bay. As the sun sets, head down to the Hay Barn for music, dancing, and dessert. Dinner will feature produce from the Farm and Chadwick Garden prepared by Ty Pearce of Busy Bee’s Cafe and Catering, with wine and beer provided by Storrs Winery, Madson Wines, and Discretion Brewing. Proceeds of ticket sales support the Center for Agroecology’s programming and facilities.
Ticket Options
Tickets for the four-course dinner on the UCSC Farm from 4-7:30 PM include dessert and dancing in the Hay Barn from 7:30-9:30 PM. Tickets are $200 per person.
Not interested in dinner? You can skip the meal and join us from 7:30-9:30 PM for dancing and dessert in the Hay Barn for $25.
Purchase Tickets
Attire
Like many farms, the terrain at the UCSC Farm can be uneven and dusty. We recommend wearing shoes you can walk confidently in. Fall evenings on the farm are the perfect opportunity to layer—a sun hat and scarf would be perfect accessories for the event—and, if you are joining us for the barn dance portion of the evening, some boots would make great footwear for the evening.
About our Chef
Ty Pearce is the chef/owner of Busy Bees Cafe & Catering. Ty fell in love with food at a young age and decided that was the path he wanted to be on. He started his food journey in the family’s restaurant and catering business at age 14, working his way up over the years from bus boy to executive chef. He also worked in like-minded restaurants like Chez Panisse that focused on the freshest produce and sustainable practices.
He went to culinary school in the East Bay Area and then moved abroad to work and study food, which gave Ty a broader understanding of culture, ingredients, menus, and traditions. He has devoted his career to and is passionate in keeping traditions, quality ingredients, and customer service the primary focus of his business ventures.
Menu
Appetizers

Farm Fresh Spring Rolls: featuring a vibrant mix of produce from the UCSC Farm and featuring a ginger chili sauce (gluten free and vegan)
Gorgonzola Fig Honey Crostini: Irresistible crostini topped with creamy gorgonzola, dried figs, and local honey
Burrata Crostini: Lush, creamy burrata paired with ripe, sun-kissed farm tomatoes and fragrant basil from the farm, served on artisanal crostini
Charcuterie Board: A luxurious assortment of artisanal cheeses, savory meats, and succulent dried fruits, accompanied by both gluten-free and regular crackers

Family-Style Dinner

Fresh baked rolls with butter (Gluten free option)
Farm Fresh Corn Salad blend of seasonal corn, cherry tomatoes, crisp arugula, zucchini, and radish, all tossed in a zesty citrus dressing (Vegan and gluten-free)
Farm Fresh Greens Salad highlighted by pomegranate seeds, juicy oranges, and crunchy pecans, dressed in a bright citrus vinaigrette (gluten-free and vegan if no cheese is added)
Creamy Polenta served with a choice of cheese on the side to add your perfect touch (Gluten-free, vegan if no cheese is added)
Roasted Farm Vegetables fresh from the farm and garden (Gluten free and vegan)
Grilled Tri-Tip with a smokey flavor
Mediterranean Chicken infused with Mediterranean spices and herbs
Grilled Cauliflower Steaks with a savory and herbaceous sauce. (Gluten-free and vegan)

Dessert Buffet Style Served in the Hay Barn

Apple Crumble Pie Bites featuring farm-fresh apples and a buttery crumble topping
Berry Crumble featuring farm fresh berries
Gluten-Free Brownies- rich, fudgy brownies from Companion Bakery, perfect for a sweet finish (gluten free)

Parking
Please plan to park in lots 115/116. A shuttle to the event will be available for those with limited mobility.
Getting to lots 115/116:

Continue on Bay Street as it becomes Coolidge Drive.
Continue up the hill on Coolidge and turn right at the Ranch View/Carriage House Road stoplight into the
Carriage House/Campus Facilities parking lot (Lot 116).

The Farm is a 5-minute walk across the street from the parking lot.

Walk across Coolidge and follow the signs that say Hay Barn.
Stay on Ranch View Road and turn right into the Hay Barn parking lot.
Walk up the hill from the back of the Hay Barn parking lot.
Proceed through the two gates to reach the UCSC Farm and the event check-in table.

The Center for Agroecology is a new sponsor of this year’s Open Farm Tours. Please support their programs that provide future generations with the farming and agricultural training we need for a more sustainable world.
