Scotts Valley, Felton farmers markets open new seasons
The Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market and Felton Farmers’ Market will open their 2026 seasons in early May, offering weekly access to regional produce, prepared foods and community programs in Santa Cruz County’s mountain and valley communities.
The Scotts Valley Farmers’ Market opens Saturday, May 2, at the Joe and Linda Alberti Boys and Girls Club, 5060 Scotts Valley Drive. New hours for the season are 8am-noon, with the market running each Saturday through Thanksgiving. Vendors will offer seasonal fruits and vegetables, eggs, artisan breads, seafood, flowers, garden starts and specialty foods, along with prepared items and rotating craft and specialty goods.
The Felton Farmers’ Market opens Tuesday, May 5, at the St. John’s Church parking lot along Highway 9 in Felton. The market will run Tuesdays from 1:30-5:30pm through October, marking nearly 40 years of operation serving the San Lorenzo Valley.
The Felton market features regional farms and food vendors offering seasonal produce, baked goods, prepared meals, coffee, flowers and specialty foods. Opening day will include a strawberry shortcake giveaway and a strawberry workshop led by Jessica Yarr of The Grove from 3-4pm, along with live music and family-friendly activities.
Both markets also participate in the Market Match program, which provides CalFresh/EBT participants a dollar-for-dollar match up to $15 for fresh fruits and vegetables. FoodShed Project events, workshops and community activities are planned throughout the season.
For more information, visit santacruzfarmersmarket.org.
Kids Day set for Saturday in Downtown Santa Cruz
Downtown Santa Cruz will host its annual Kids Day on Saturday, May 2, from 12-4pm, transforming Cooper Street and Pacific Avenue (between Locust and Church streets) into a car-free zone filled with hands-on activities, live entertainment and interactive experiences for children of all ages.
New this year, the event will expand into 1407 Pacific Ave., adding an indoor activity hub designed to provide additional space for creative play and community programming.
Presented in partnership with Abbott Square and Growing Up Santa Cruz, the event will feature activity booths hosted by local organizations, along with performances and demonstrations throughout the afternoon. Downtown businesses will also participate with kid-friendly specials and treats.
Organizers say nearly four dozen community groups will be on hand showcasing youth programming in education, sports, arts, science and dance, offering free, hands-on activities throughout the day.
Singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff to perform in Felton
Singer-songwriter Karla Bonoff will perform May 2 at Felton Music Hall, bringing her acclaimed catalog of folk-rock and pop songs to the Santa Cruz Mountains.
Bonoff has been described as one of her generation’s top singer-songwriters, known for a career spanning decades that includes both solo success and widely recorded compositions. Her songs have been performed by artists including Linda Ronstadt, Bonnie Raitt and Wynonna Judd. Ronstadt helped introduce Bonoff to a wider audience in the 1970s with recordings of several of her songs, including “Someone to Lay Down Beside Me,” “Lose Again” and “If He’s Ever Near.” Bonoff also co-wrote “All My Life,” later recorded as a duet by Ronstadt and Aaron Neville. Her 1982 single “Personally” reached No. 19 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Adult Contemporary chart.
Bonoff continues to tour internationally, performing solo shows known for stripped-down arrangements that highlight her vocals and songwriting. Her most recent album, “Carry Me Home,” was released in 2019 and features re-recordings of earlier work along with new material.
Tickets are available at karlabonoff.com.
North County Dems host affordable housing speaker
In recognition of Affordable Housing Month, Sibley Simon, a longtime affordable housing advocate will be the guest speaker at the May 5 meeting of the Democratic Club of North Santa Cruz County.
Simon will provide an update on the 100% affordable housing project under construction at 4575 Scotts Valley Drive, which will include 100 multifamily apartment units.
Information will also be provided on how expiring federal emergency housing vouchers and new citizenship requirements for Section 8 voucher rental assistance will impact the housing needs of many low-income individuals and families in the county. There will also be a discussion about the June primary Governor’s race and strategies to ensure that a Democratic candidate will be on the ballot in November.
Meetings start at 6:30pm and are held at the Scotts Valley Water District Santa Margarita Community Room located at 2 Civic Center Drive. Come early to enjoy some Cinco de Mayo snacks and beverages starting at 6pm. Members of the public are welcome to attend.
New bird guide featured at Natural Bridges event
Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks will host a free book talk and bird walk with author-illustrator Sophie Wood Brinker on May 9 at Natural Bridges State Beach.
The event will celebrate Brinker’s new guide, “Birds of Santa Cruz,” featuring hand-painted illustrations, identification notes and observations about local bird behavior. The program begins with a book talk and question-and-answer session at 4:30pm at the Natural Bridges Visitor Center and ParkStore, followed by a guided birding stroll through the park.
The event is free, though RSVPs through Eventbrite are encouraged.
