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Available now: Sign up here<\/a> for the best food, drink and entertainment coverage in Stanislaus County. <\/i><\/p>\n<\/div>\n May brings some of the biggest and most popular spring festivals and celebrations in the greater Modesto region.<\/p>\n The month\u2019s promise of sunshine and warmer temperatures just brings out the best, it seems.<\/p>\n However, one of the Modesto region\u2019s most popular \u2014 the Skies the Limit Ceres Hot Air Balloon Festival \u2014 is taking a break for 2026, according to a post on its Instagram page<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cOur team is taking 2026 as a planning and fundraising year so we can come back bigger, better, and more spectacular than ever for our community,\u201d the post says. \u201cThis beloved event means so much to Ceres and the Central Valley, and we\u2019re already hard at work preparing for an amazing comeback.\u201d<\/p>\n The post promises a Skies the Limit return in 2027.<\/p>\n There remains a host of festivals and events planned for May celebrating cultures, food, music (including the big-draw Modesto Porchfest), recreation, beer, apricots and \u2013 yes \u2013 even frogs.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s a look at just some of what\u2019s set:<\/p>\n MODESTO RECFEST \u2013 May 2:<\/b> An all-ages celebration of outdoor recreation includes activities such as a youth fishing clinic, paddling, bicycle rides, hiking, birdwatching, orienteering and disc golf. There will be equipment demonstrations, guided adventures and educational workshops. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Gateway Park, 100 10th St., Modesto. Free. 209-236-0330.<\/p>\n CINCO DE MAYO PARADE AND CELEBRATION \u2013 May 2:<\/b> South Modesto Businesses United presents its annual parade on Crows Landing Road celebrating the \u201cDay of the Battle of Puebla.\u201d The parade is set to begin at 11 a.m. Free. For more information or to participate in the parade, call 209-566-2300.<\/p>\n MODESTO TACO FEST \u2013 May 2:<\/b> Get your fill as more than 40 vendors take part in the festival. Also planned for the day-into-evening event in downtown are Chihuahua races, ballet folklorico, luchadors, drinks, live music and more. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. I Street between 11th and 12th streets and on 12th Street between J and I streets, Downtown Modesto. $20 advance. modestotacofest.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n BITES & BEATS FESTIVAL \u2013 May 2:<\/b> Hughson Arboretum & Gardens presents its fundraiser with food vendors, music and more. Big Earl and the Cryin\u2019 Shame will perform from 4-6 p.m., Ritmo Mix from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Participants should take chairs and\/or blankets. 2490 Euclid Ave, Hughson. $25 per carload presale, $30 per carload at the gate. hughsonarboretum.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n CERES STREET FAIRE \u2013 May 2-3:<\/b> This year\u2019s fair includes food, entertainment, car shows and vendors. A classic car show will be held on Saturday, with a lowrider car show Sunday. Festival hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Downtown Ceres. Free. cereschamberofcommerce.org\/events\/ceres-street-faire-2<\/a>.<\/p>\n CAFE SHALOM \u2013 May 3:<\/b> A celebration of Jewish culture with food, music, a bake sale, gift shop and more. 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Congregation Beth Shalom, 1705 Sherwood Ave., Modesto. $25 in advance, $30 at the door, $15 ages 4-10, free ages 3 and under. www.cbsmodesto.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU \u2013 May 4:<\/b> Modesto native George Lucas\u2019 \u201cStar Wars\u201d film saga will be celebrated. Planned are a lightsaber battle at dusk, the Death Star pi\u00f1ata, live music by Horizon Point, movie characters, vendors and more. 5-9 p.m. Tenth Street Plaza, Modesto. Free.<\/p>\n CINCO DE MAYO CELEBRATION \u2013 May 5:<\/b> The West Modesto Community Collaborative holds a Cinco de Mayo luncheon to honor the culture and contributions of farmworker and immigrant communities. Planned are music, tacos, aguas frescas and a student panel. 11 a.m.-1 p.m. 529 California Ave, Modesto. $30. westmodestocollaborative.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n CENTRAL VALLEY BREWFEST \u2013 May 9:<\/b> More than 150 brews to sample, along with vendors and music. There will be a VIP wine sampling tent from noon-1 p.m. Must be 21 or older to attend the festival, which runs 1-5 p.m. Stanislaus County Fairground, 900 N. Broadway, Turlock. $45 in advance, $55 at the door, if still available; VIP tickets $65, advance only. Designated-driver tickets $30 in advance, $35 at the door. www.cvbrewfest.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n MODESTO GARDEN CLUB PLANT SALE & CRAFT FAIR \u2013 May 9:<\/b> The event will feature member-grown flowers, annuals, perennials, vegetables and succulents for sale, along with more than 20 booths of handcrafted gifts and food. Plant sale 10 a.m.-2 p.m., craft fair 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Modesto Covenant Church, 913 Floyd Ave., Modesto. Free. www.modestogardenclub.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n MOTHER LODE ROUNDUP \u2013 May 9-10:<\/b> Parade and rodeos sponsored by the Tuolumne County Sheriff\u2019s Posse. Parade Saturday at 10 a.m. along Washington Street in Sonora. Saturday and Sunday rodeos at the Mother Lode Fairgrounds, 220 Southgate Drive, Sonora. Rodeo tickets $28.49; $11.40 ages 4-12. www.motherloderoundup.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n COLUMBIA DIGGINS 1852 \u2013 May 14-17:<\/b> Columbia State Historic Park\u2019s annual living-history event features more than 150 costumed volunteers. Visitors experience an 1852 mining camp re-created with period clothing and activities. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. $10, free for ages 17 and under. Diggins Tent Town (near the main parking lot). www.parks.ca.gov\/?page_id=24249<\/a>.<\/p>\n CALAVERAS COUNTY FAIR AND JUMPING FROG JUBILEE \u2013 May 14-17:<\/b> Frogs will hop again at this annual fest, which also offers a carnival, food, entertainment, rodeo, destruction derby, livestock, vendors and more. Festival hours 8 a.m.-11 p.m. Thursday; 8 a.m.-midnight Friday-Saturday; 7 a.m.-11 p.m. Sunday. Calaveras County Fairgrounds, 2465 Gun Club Road, Angels Camp. $13-$18. www.frogtown.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n MODESTO PORCHFEST \u2014 May 17:<\/b> Huge community concert with stages set up throughout the La Loma, College and downtown neighborhoods. Homeowners host local bands and artists on porches, patios and driveways. Noon-5 p.m. Free, with tip jars available to benefit the musicians. www.modestoporchfest.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n CASTLE AIR MUSEUM SPRING OPEN COCKPIT DAY \u2013 May 23:<\/b> The former Air Force base will provide an up-close look at old military aircraft, including a newly restored B-52 Stratofortress. The semiannual event also features food vendors, a beer garden, demonstrations by emergency agencies and more. 8:30 a.m.-4 p.m. Castle Air Museum, 5050 Santa Fe Drive, Atwater. $25 general admission, $20 seniors, active or retired military, $15 ages 6-17, free ages 5 and under. www.castleairmuseum.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n ARNOLD PEDDLERS FAIRE \u2013 May 23-24:<\/b> The Mother Lode community fair returns with vendors, art, lawn games and more. The Ebbetts Pass Fire Department will sell locally brewed beer. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Bristol\u2019s Caf\u00e9 parking lot, 961 Highway 4, Arnold. gocalaveras.com\/events\/46th-annual-arnold-spring-peddlers-faire<\/a>.<\/p>\n PATTERSON APRICOT FIESTA \u2013 May 29-31<\/b>: The annual celebration includes entertainment, food and beer booths, a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday, craft and commercial vendors, a kids area, an arm-wrestling tournament, a cornhole tournament, a car show and fireworks. Festival hours to be determined. Downtown Patterson. Free. apricotfiesta.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n BIKE N\u2019 TRIKE \u2013 May 30:<\/b> The Modesto Children\u2019s Museum will hold a community ride beginning at 8:30 a.m. at the venue and ending at Roosevelt Park. There will be a celebration at the park with food, music and activities. Registration is $16.90. modestochildrensmuseum.org\/bikentrike<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"Visitors](\"https:\/\/www.modbee.com\/public\/latest-news\/jxhuxm\/picture311794794\/alternates\/FREE_1140\/IMG_AK_Open_Cockpit_Day__6_1_4F98KHNN_L254547851.JPG\" "\\"IMG_AK_Open_Cockpit_Day__6_1_4F98KHNN_L254547851.JPG\\"")