Community Calendar

Each year, the Noyo Chapter of the American Rhododendron Society (ARS) partners with Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens to showcase some of the best rhodie specimens on the West Coast. The 47th annual John Druecker Memorial Rhododendron Show will be held at the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens on Saturday, May 2, and Sunday, May 3. This spectacular juried show—one of the largest of its kind—features more than 800 entries, transforming the exhibition tent into a breathtaking display of color and fragrance. The show is free and open to the public, with regular admission offering the opportunity to explore the Gardens beyond the Rhodie Show tent.

In addition to hundreds of individual flower entries, there will be plants, bonsai, photos, floral arrangements, hourly plant raffles, and educational displays. A large selection of rhododendrons and other plants will be available for purchase in the big tent and at the Gardens' Nursery. Local growers and Noyo Chapter ARS members will be on hand to answer questions and discuss the best plants for your garden.

While you are here, browse a selection of plants for purchase and connect with local growers and Noyo Chapter members, who will be sharing tips and expertise. Continue your visit beyond the show and discover the full beauty of the Mendocino Coast Botanical Gardens—your admission directly supports this nonprofit coastal treasure. With more than 1,000 rhododendrons in bloom, representing 124 species and 315 taxa, the Gardens' Collection will be at peak bloom.

Celebrate the season and be part of this beloved coastal tradition.

Enter the Show!
All are welcome to participate by entering rhododendron trusses and azaleas, with a special invitation to youth ages 18 and under to compete for the Noyo Chapter Youth Trophy. Entries will be accepted at the show tent (south end of the main parking lot) on Thursday, April 30, from 3–7 PM, and Friday, May 1, from 9 AM–12 PM. Ribbons and trophies will be awarded across multiple categories, including photography and floral design. Check www.rhododendrons-mendocino.org for more information on entering.

-Annual garden Club Plant Sale:
vegetables, flowers, shrubs, herbs, gifts, some trees will be available.
-Many plants were started by students in the Agricultural program at Potter Valley High School.
-Proceeds support the local scholarship program for Potter Valley students .

"Momím Wené: Medicine Water" tells a story of tribal relationships between the people and their waterways through the paintings, basketry, beadwork, and regalia of over 30 Native California artists, and including the Ukiah Valley Pomo.

FIRST FRIDAY - Photo of the Month - Featured photographer John Birchard’s new image, Mendocino Sunset Panorama, 38” x 14” ultra-wide-pano landscape photo debuts starting First Friday, April 3rd, 2026 at the Mendocino Coast Photographers Gallery, Fort Bragg, CA. This exhibition continues all month.

Join us and have a look at the Featured Photo of the Month by John Birchard, snacks, lots of wonderful photos and ceramics and to meet the other members of the gallery.

Free Comic Book Day!
Saturday, May 2
10 AM to 6 PM, or While Supplies Last

Do you like comics? Do we have the day for you! Join us at the Ukiah Branch Library for Free Comic Book Day, Saturday, May 2. Kids can go on new adventures with My Little Pony, Spidey and Friends, and many more. For teens and adults, comics will range from Alien to X-Men. Get here early, get here fast. Comics will be available as soon as we open at 10 a.m. Don’t miss out on Free Comic Book Day at the Ukiah Branch Library.

This program is made possible through the generous support of the Friends of the Ukiah Valley Library and the Mendocino County Library. For more information, please visit www.mendolibrary.org or contact the Ukiah Branch at 707-463-4490.

Día del cómic gratis
Sábado, 2 de mayo
10 AM a 6 PM, o Mientras duren los suministros

¿Te gustan las cosas gratis? ¿Te gustan los cómics? ¡Tenemos el evento para ti! Vénganse a la biblioteca sucursal de Ukiah para el Día del cómic gratuito, el sábado 2 de mayo de 2026. Los niños pueden vivir nuevas aventuras con My Little Pony, Spidey and Friends, y muchos más. Para adolescentes y adultos, los libros incluyen desde Alien hasta X-Men. Llegue temprano, llegue rápido. Los cómics estarán disponibles cuando abrimos, a las 10 am. No se pierda el Día del cómic gratis en la biblioteca de Ukiah.

Este programa es posible gracias al generoso apoyo de Friends of the Ukiah Valley Library y la Biblioteca del Condado de Mendocino. Para más información, consulte www.mendolibrary.org o póngase en contacto con la sucursal Ukiah en 707-463-4490.

Celebrate five decades of Mendocino Land Trust’s remarkable conservation legacy at the Kelley House Museum. This exhibit reveals "behind-the-scenery" stories through archival photos and documents that show exactly how your favorite trails, wildlife habitats, and hidden beaches were acquired and continue to be preserved. From its humble roots as a grassroots movement to its role as a cornerstone of local stewardship, you'll see the passion that keeps our home wild and wonderful. Join us to honor the enduring commitment that has protected the beauty and natural history of Mendocino for the last fifty years.
Exhibit runs April 2nd 2026 – June 1st 2026
Museum hours: Thursday – Monday, 11AM – 3PM

In April Partners Gallery is showing the mixed media works of Rachel Binah.
Rachel says:
“Having moved to Bend, Oregon to live on a farm with my family, I’ve been inspired by not only what is in my past, living on the stunning coast of Mendocino, but what is now my new home landscape of the High Desert in Oregon. I am still inspired by recycling discarded bits of paper, plastics and other materials. Some of these new pieces have sewn elements, and I am again inspired by using more colors than in previous work. My impressionist body of work is a tribute to the peaceful and meditative qualities that I feel when in connection to our High Desert.”

There is a Second Saturday Meet the Artist April 11 from 5-7pm.

Gallery hours are Thursday through Monday 11-4pm.

FORT BRAGG BLUES FESTIVAL - MAY 1-3, 2026 ~ 3 Days. 4 Venues. 11 Bands
Downtown Fort Bragg + Noyo Headlands Park overlooking the beautiful Pacific Ocean!
TICKETS & INFO at: https://fortbraggblues.com
Our SUPERSTAR LINEUP includes: ROY ROGERS & THE DELTA RHYTHM KINGS~ Tia Carroll and her Awesome Band~ Matt Axton Band~ Aki Kumar~ Mike Hammar & The Nails~ Steve Lucky & the Rhumba Bums featuring Miss Carmen Getit~ Rowland & Tumblin’~ GeminiiDragon~ Red’s Blues Band~ Black Horse Blues Band + Mighty T-Bones at our FREE Community Concert!
PLUS - come one day early for a rip-roaring good timeat our ROARING 20'S KICK-OFF EVENT on April 30th where you'll ride the World Famous Skunk Train to Glen Blair Bar and dance the night away to the nostalgic sounds of Stella & The Starlights playing music from the 1920's, 30's and 40's! Period dress recommended but not required for this Prohibition-style fun!
TICKET OPTIONS INCLUDE: ALL-ACCESS PASSES: Gets you into 10 paid performances + Free Community Concert. NOTE: we ONLY have 35 of these passes left due to venue size in several festival locations. PLUS, some of our shows are exclusive to All-Access Pass Holders ONLY! *2-Day Weekend Passes: Gets you into both days at outdoor festival grounds at Noyo Headlands Park (6 dynamic performances) + Free Community Concert. Single Day Passes for Saturday or Sunday: Gets you into one weekend day or the other (3 energetic performances) + Free Community Concert. *Headliner-Only Passes for Roy Rogers & The Delta Rhythm Kings and Aki Kumar (self-proclaimed as the Bollywood of Blues!)
This festival was a SELL OUT last year so get your GET YOUR TICKETS EARLY!
Get outdoors this spring, move to the groove, let your hair down and enjoy life!
TICKETS: FortBraggBlues.com

Call for submissions for PRIDE art exhibit at Art Center Ukiah which will run June 5 through 27, 2026. Honoring the theme, "We All Belong," all are welcomed to show us your art! Protest poster art encouraged. Completed entry forms and all ready-to-hang work (NO sawtooth hangers) must be delivered for jurying to the Corner Gallery (201 S State St in Ukiah) on Tuesday June 2 between 11 and 5 or on Wednesday June 3 between 11 and noon. More information is available on the Mendo Pride facebook page.

More than 220 donkeys call Oscar's Place Adoption Center & Sanctuary home. Located in Hopland, California, Oscar's Place rescues and cares for donkeys in need, providing lifetime sanctuary. The number of donkeys Oscar's Place is able to care for is directly related to the number of people who support the organization. More information is available at oscarsplace.org. That's oscarsplace.org.