Marin County is blessed in the number and quality of fairs and festivals that are staged throughout the summer season. A small sampling of those events follows. Note: Most are held in the southern parts of Marin County.
The Mountain Play celebrated its 96th year in 2009 with the musical Man of La Mancha. The schedule typically begins at the end of May and runs weekly through a Sunday in latter part of June. The play is held in Mill Valley at the Cushing Memorial Amphitheatre at Mount Tamalpais State Park. Tickets are $23 to $40. While some people choose to hike or bike, shuttle buses are provided and driving is discouraged because parking is limited. Tel: (415) 383-1100, www.mountainplay.org.
The Italian Street Painting Festival is held annually from 9 am to 7 pm on two days in mid-June in downtown San Rafael. Chalk is the medium. The event is free. www.youthinarts.org, Tel: (415) 457-4878, ext. 15
The Marin Arts Festival is held on two days in the latter part of June at the Marin Center Lagoon at the Marin Civic Center in San Rafael. More than 250 artists display their work and many kinds of music are performed. www.marinartsfestival.com, Tel: (415) 388-0151.
The Tiburon Music Festival is held over the course of 5 days in June at St. Hilary Church in Tiburon. It celebrates chamber music and chamber opera with performances by Marin classical musicians. Tickets are $10 and $20. www.tiburonmusicfestival.org, Tel: (415) 457-5226.
The San Anselmo Art and Wine Festival is held for two days in late June on San Anselmo Avenue. 200 artists also display their wares. www.sananselmochamber.org, Tel: (415) 454-2510.
The largest countywide event held annually is the Marin County Fair, running for five days in the beginning of July from 11 am to 11 pm. Where: The Marin County Fairgrounds on Civic Center Drive in San Rafael. The Fair will be 65 years old in 2010 and its a veritable blast from the past and the future with the typical pie baking and dairy cattle competitions, concerts, fireworks, carnival rides and abundant amusements. www.marinfair.org. Tickets are $12-$14.
The Tiburon Art Festival is held over the course of two days in the latter part of August along “Art Row” in Tiburon. www.tiburon-artfestival.com.
An opera event, Arias in the Park is held at Gabrielson Park, Anchor and Bridgeway, Sausalito towards the end of August. Tel: (415) 289-4152, www.ci.sausalito.ca.us.
In September, a particularly important event is the Sausalito Art Festival, held over four days along Bridgeway and Marinship Park. The annual Labor Day weekend outdoor event features fine art and sculpture, delicious food and beverages and big name musical entertainment. Tickets are $5 to $20; $30 for a three-day pass. www.sausalitoartfestival.org, Tel: (415) 332-3555 or (415) 331- 3757.
Held in the latter part of September for two days the Mill Valley Fall Arts Festival is at the Old Mill Park on Throckmorton Avenue at Cascade. It features over 100 craftspeople from around the U.S. with crafts in 15 categories. Live music and entertainment for children with magic, puppets and marionettes, stories and songs. Tickets are $5 to $8, children under 12 free. Tel: (415) 381-8090, www.mvfaf.org.
David DuPont, a principal with The DuPont Group in Marin County, California, specializes in Marin Homes with an emphasis on Mill Valley real estate for sale for individuals and families. David is a Senior Real Estate Specialist (SRES) and brought to market the nation’s largest residential real estate transaction in 2005.