CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA, (July 2, 2023) — The Pioneer Calendar lists local events, performances and activities for the whole family.

We update the Pioneer Calendar page every week so check back often to find out what’s going on near you.

If you’d like to submit your event to the Pioneer Calendar page, please send email to us at Calendar@pioneerpublishers.com.

Fourth of July

Clayton: Rotary Club pancake breakfast, 7 a.m., Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St. Parade starts at 10 a.m. with the theme “Independence Day the Clayton Way.” Kids can just line up along Oak Street downtown. For more information, visit www.claytonca.gov and click on Fourth of July Parade under “Quick Links.”

Pleasant Hill. Firecracker 5K Run and Kids 100-Yard Dash, 7:45 a.m., Gregory Lane. Downtown parade, 9:30-10:30 a.m. Party in the Park, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m., Pleasant Hill Park. Fireworks, 8:45 p.m., College Park. For details, visit https://phjuly4.com.

Concord. 5K Fun Run and Diablo Rotary Club pancake breakfast, 8 a.m., Todos Santos Plaza. Downtown parade, 10 a.m. Music, kids’ carnival and food vendors, 4 p.m., Mt. Diablo High School. Fireworks, 9 p.m., Mt. Diablo High School. More information at www.concordjuly4th.com.

In the Community

Christmas in July. Learn how to create five holiday ornaments,1-4 p.m. July 8, 2290 Willow Pass Road, Concord. The event is a fundraiser for art materials at the Concord Veterans Center, sponsored by the VFW Auxiliary. For details, contact Loretta Masnada at 925-389-0057 or lorettamasnada@comcast.net.

Contra Costa County Historical Society Silent Book Auction. Featuring rare and unusual books about Bay Area bridges, engineering, public works and historic Bay Area planning documents, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. July 15, Historical Society booth at the Maker’s Market in downtown Martinez. For more information, call or text John Mercurio at 925-876-0327.

Dana Estates Neighborhood Garage Sale. Sponsored by real estate broker Peter Maclennan, 8 a.m.-2 p.m. Aug. 12. Contact him at peter@maclennaninvestments.com or 925-385-8798 for details.

Hope 100 Golf Marathon. Registration open for players and sponsors for the fundraiser for Hope Hospice, Oct. 23, Castlewood Country Club, Pleasanton. For more information, visit hope100golfmarathon.com or call Marc Rovetti at 925-829-8770.

Farmers Market. Sponsored by the Pacific Coast Farmers Market Association, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Tuesdays and 4-8 p.m. Thursdays (with cs at 6:30 p.m. Thursdays), Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. Visit pcfma.org for more information.

Off the Grid. The popular food truck event continues 5-9 p.m. Wednesdays, Trelany Road in Pleasant Hill. For details, visit https://offthegrid.com/event/pleasant-hill/.

Music in the Parks

Music & Market. Listen to music while shopping at the Certified Farmers Market, 6:30-8 p.m. Thursdays through Sept. 28, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. July 6: the UnOriginals. July 13: The Purple Ones. July 20: Side Note. July 27: The Carousel Cowboys. Aug. 3: Jean Fineberg & JAZZphoria. Aug. 10: Latin Touch Band. Aug. 17: Radiokeys. Aug. 24: Native Elements. Aug. 31: Zepparella. Sept. 7: Pop Rocks. Sept. 14: The Sun Kings. Sept. 21: Johnny and June Forever. Sept. 28: House of Floyd.

Concerts in The Grove: 6-8:30 p.m. every other Saturday through Sept. 16 in downtown Clayton. July 8: Foreverland. July 27: Chicago Tribute Authority. Aug. 5: Houserockers. Aug. 19: Fleetwood Mask. Sept. 2: Alameda All Stars. Sept. 16: East Bay Mudd. For details, visit https://claytonca.gov/fc/Concerts-In-The-Grove-2023.pdf.

Sunset by the Lake Concert Series. 6-8 p.m. every other Sunday through Labor Day weekend at the lake in Pleasant Hill. July 9: Tom Rigney & Flambeau. July 23: Jinx Jones & the Kingtones. Aug. 6: The Groove Doctors. Aug. 20: Native Elements. Sept. 3: The Big Jangle. For details and sponsorship information, visit https://www.pleasanthillca.org/1396/Summer-Concerts.

Tuesday Night Blues. 6:30-8:30 p.m. Tuesdays, July 11, 18 and 25, Todos Santos Plaza, downtown Concord. July 11: Frankie G and the Conviction. July 18: Annie Sampson. July 25: Jr. DeVille Blues Band.

At the Clayton Library

The Clayton Library is at 6125 Clayton Road. For more information on any of these events, call 925-673-0659 or ccclib.org/events.

Storytimes. Lapsit storytime for littlest ones, 11-11:20 a.m. Thursdays. Toddler/preschool storytime 11:30 a.m.-noon Thursdays, with a stay and play event immediately after.

Tai Chi. A gentle, energizing class for adults, noon-1 p.m. every first and third Thursday. Carolyn Lee teaches in the style of Professor Cheng Man-Ch’ing. Beginners welcome, no registration required.

Summer Reading: “Find Your Voice” program for all ages, through Aug. 5. Include all kinds of activities and events to help you express yourself. Every completed entry is eligible for a free book and a chance to win prizes. Visit ccclib.org/summer for information.

The arts

“Arrivals and Departures.” Featuring “remembered landscape” paintings by Connie Ryan, through Aug. 5, Valley Art Gallery, 1661 Botelho Dr., Suite 110, Walnut Creek. For more information, call 925-935-4311.

“Carmen.” Festival Opera presents an updated story, Aug. 18 and 20, Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Use code FOFRIEND for 20% off tickets. Visit www.festivalopera.org/carmen or call 925-943-7469. Free preview performance 4 p.m. Aug. 6 in Walnut Creek’s Civic Park.

“Life in Clayton 1850-1870.” 2-4 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays for the rest of the year, 6101 Main St., Clayton. Visit claytonhistory.org.