Started In 1962, This NorCal Almond Festival Celebrates The Abundance Of The Season

Ripon is located northwest of Modesto. It has a charming tree-lined downtown with many coffee shops and restaurants.

There will also be a fun run at Mavis Stouffer Park, and a parade downtown.

On Friday, the park comes alive with vendor booths opening at 2 p.m., followed by the carnival at 4 p.m. Saturday promises a day packed with family-friendly events, including two breakfasts– the Ripon Grange Pancake Breakfast and the American Legion Ladies Auxiliary 190 10th Annual Burrito Breakfast.

The 1-mile run starts at 8:30 a.m., followed by the 8K at 9 a.m. The schedule for Saturday also features bake sales, vendor booths, the carnival, a Diaper Derby, and live music throughout the day. To see the full calendar of events, visit the Almond Blossom Festival's web page.

As evening falls, the Ripon Swiss Club invites attendees to dance the night away at a special dance event starting at 7 p.m.

While you’re in Ripon, we recommend exploring some local historic attractions. The Clarence Smit Museum features artifacts from cultures around the world as well as stories from early California. The museum is open on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Walk past the Historic Ripon Jail on 1st and Locust Streets. Constructed in 1925, the historic jail is open on the first Saturday of the month, so it will be closed during the festival, but it is worth walking by to admire the architecture.