Market and concerts wait for nothing, not even the solstice

The calendar says summer begins at the summer solstice on June 21. But, Clayton keeps its own calendar. Here, summer will begin on Saturday, May 10 when the Farmers Market opens and The Grove starts rockin’ with the first of the summer concerts featuring Mike Amaral’s California Beach Boys.

The Clayton Farmers’ Market will open for the season at 8 a.m. on Saturday morning. At 9:30, local dignitaries will be on hand for the official ribbon cutting. Many of the vendors from seasons past will be back and several new ones will appear as the season (and the bounty) progresses.

Look for Cecchini & Cecchini Farms with awesome asparagus, Gotelli Farms with fresh sweet cherries and Clayton’s MarElla B’s with local honey. The market opens the day before Mother’s Day and there will be ample opportunity to pick up some flowers and handmade soap from Mt. Diablo Soap Company.

Along with all the fresh fruits and veggies, look for bakery items and goat cheeses. The market will be open through October 25. For more information on the market, go to pcfma.com.

At 4 p.m. (and not a minute before, say city officials), concert-goers can stake out their territory with lawn chairs and picnic blankets in The Grove for the first of the season’s concerts which begins at 6 p.m.

Mike Amaral’s California Beach Boys will kick off the season with a tribute to the great Brian , Dennis and Carl Wilson, Mike Love and Al Jardine. The close harmonies of “Surfin’ USA,” “Surfer Girl” and “Little Deuce Coupe,” recall the clean-living and simpler days of the sock hop and drive-in movies. For photos, sound clips and more information on the band, go to californiabeachboys.com.

The concerts begin at 6 p.m. at the Gazebo in The Grove.

For a complete concert schedule, see page 3.