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Petaluma Perspective by Houston Porter — October 2019

The days may be growing shorter as we ride the cusp of fall but Petaluma still has some great events scheduled in October, starting with the Petaluma Airport’s last “Display Day” of the season, Saturday, October 5, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. As has been the case all summer, the first Saturday of each month is a chance to see what goes on at the Petaluma Airport beyond just the great diner food at Two-Niner Diner. Hosted by the Petaluma Pilot’s Association, local pilots pull their planes, ultralights, trainers and even a gyro helicopter out of the hangar to share with the general public.

The annual Chilly Billy Fun Run, Hot Rod and Motorcycle Show is Saturday, October 5, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. For those who want to pass on the run, but not the fun, there is a car show, vendors, swap meet, famous chicken BBQ, live music and raffle at the Petaluma Fairgrounds from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., all to benefit local charities. www.ripcityriders.org

The Bill Soberanes Memorial Petaluma Whiskerino whisker competition celebrates 60 years on Saturday, October 5, from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Phoenix Theater. This is an all-ages event and is family friendly, with alcohol reserved for the after-party at Lagunitas (details at the event.) Contestants are encouraged to register in advance so they have a badge waiting for them. For onlookers, gawkers and admirers, admission is free. www.petalumawhiskerino.com

The Petaluma Shakespeare Company will present Macbeth at the Phoenix Theater from Thursday, October 10 to Saturday, October 12, at 8 p.m., with tickets available at www.thephoenixtheater.com. The final show, on Sunday, October 13, at 3 p.m. is free. “As a “pocket production” this play will feature a small cast of five astonishingly talented and versatile actors who will play all the roles while retaining the original text, and all of the thrills and drama of Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy about how a good man goes bad.”

“El Día de los Muertos is a ritual celebration from México, Latin and South Americain which the spirits of dead loved ones are invited to visit the living as honored guests. Observed in Mexico on Nov 1st and 2nd, this tradition reflects the belief that death is part of life, and so, instead of sadness this is a time of remembering and rejoicing. Central to the celebration is the creation of ofrendas or altars, bearing pictures, lighted candles and traditional items including marigolds, bread, water fruit, and favorite foods of deceased family members. The ofrenda honors the loved one who has died and welcomes them back for the celebration. As celebrated in Petaluma for the past 17 years, the observance presents an opportunity for cross-cultural sharing and a unique partnership between the Latino and Anglo communities.”

Although not technically part of the official El Dia de Los Muertos festivities, the Petaluma Museum kicks off the month’s local festivities with their final summer Family Movie Night on Saturday, October 5 at 5:30 p.m. with the apropos Coco, produced by Disney Pixar. Admission is free, with concessions for sale and donations greatly appreciate.

This year’s official theme for the Petaluma El Dia de Los Muertos is “Love Transcends/El Amor Trasciende.” Opening day is Sunday, October 6 starting at noon at the St. Vincent’s Church plaza with Aztec Dancers, Ballet Folklorico Paquiyollotzin, food vendors, a health fair, and more. On Saturday, October 12, the Petaluma Mail Depot will host an art collective with local artists, food vendors, and live music from 6 to 9 p.m.. The Petaluma SRJC will hold a Poetry of Remembrance on Friday, October 18 from 6 to 8 p.m.. Lumafest El Dia De Los Muertos is Saturday, October 19, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Petaluma SRJC campus. “LumaFest is a family-friendly and rain-friendly event! Ballet Folklorico Paquiyollotzin, lectures, art, informational booths and activities will be continuous under covered walkways or indoors. Decorate sugar skulls, make tissue paper flowers, eat good food, and more! Free admission & parking.” With over 60 altars placed in store windows around downtown, with a community alter at Heebe Jeebe, the Downtown Altar Walk is free and goes from October 20 – 26 with a map available their Facebook page. The Closing Event, with Candlelight Procession with Giant Puppets is Saturday, November 2 from 4 to 10 p.m.. “The Procession starts at St. Vincent’s Church plaza and continues downtown to 4th and B Streets where festivities will include Ballet Folklorico Paquiyolloyzin, Aztec dancers, live music by Group Gitano, Danza Los Diablos Unidos, food and art vendors, and so much more!” ALL events are free to the community, with donations greatly appreciated to help cover costs. Find El Dia De Los Muertos Petaluma on Facebook to gather more information.

The Petaluma Downtown Association invites kids and their parents to visit the downtown for “Downtown Trick-or-Treat Trail” on Thursday, October 31 from 3 to 5:30 p.m. Look for orange and black balloons, which designate which downtown merchants are participating. Also, huge kudos to Lisa Krieshok and PDA executive director Marie McCusker for yet again earning high recognition from the CalFest Awards. They brought home three 1st Place awards for their Art & Garden Festival t-shirt and ad design and the button design for Butter & Egg Days.

Dolphin Charters is back in Petaluma on Saturday and Sunday, October 26 & 27offering two river tours a day, one from 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and the second from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. This really is a great way to see Petaluma’s biggest “park.” www.dolphincharters.com

Also on Saturday, October 26, starting at 5:30 p.m. is Mentor Me’s largest fundraiser – the Mad Hatter Ball, “a cross-cultural fiesta celebrating our wonderfully diverse community. The Ball features a traditional Mexican dinner, lively cantina, raffles, auctions, a hat contest and plenty of dancing to DJVal, who is back by popular demand!” www.wearementorme.org for more info on this event and Mentor Me’s mission to help our youth.

And yes, the Corn Maze is open, as of September 27.Other Petaluma pumpkin patches, all of which also offer tons of family fun include McClelland’s Dairy Pumpkin Patch, Great Peter Pumpkin Patch, Pronzini Pumpkin Patch, Green String Farm, and the Tolay Fall Festival, all which are searchable online for more info.

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