SACRAMENTO AREA, CA (MPG) - Summer means great times and tan lines now that temperatures are rising. Pocket-Greenhaven residents have several community events to attend while enjoying the warm weather throughout the season. 

Looking for tasty food to indulge in this summer? Residents won’t have to go too far to try new food from local food trucks during Trucks & Such, which is held every third Friday of the month. 

Food trucks will be at Garcia Bend Park, 764 Pocket Road, from 5 to 8 p.m. on June 20, July 18, Aug. 15 and Sept. 19. Tables will be set up at the park for folks to sit down and enjoy their meals. 

Elks Lodge 6 presents Music on the Lawn for the 2025 season. This concert series started in May with a performance from Garratt Wilkin of the Parrotheads, a tribute to musical artist Jimmy Buffet, and will continue throughout the summer.

Local band The Stance will perform June 13, the Hey Monkey band is performing July 11 and artist Johnny Young will close off the season with his performance Aug. 8.

The Music on the Lawn concerts are all held at 6446 Riverside Blvd. Members of the Elks Lodge and guests are welcome to attend. 

Food and drinks will be available for purchase. 

Councilmember Rick Jennings will host the Fourth of July Parade to celebrate unity in the community as well as Independence Day.

The parade will start at 10 a.m. July 4. The route starts on the corner of Windbridge and South Land Park Drive, south on Windbridge and right on Pocket Road, and ends at the Garcia Bend Park entrance.

To participate in the parade, all registration forms are due June 22. Register online at july4thpocketparade.com.

A classic summer activity that everyone in Sacramento looks forward to every year is the annual California State Fair at Cal Expo, which will be from July 11 to July 27. 

Gates will open at 4 p.m. and close at 10 p.m. Mondays through Thursdays. From Fridays to Sundays, gates open at 10 a.m. and close at 10 p.m.

Bring friends and family to indulge in carnival concessions such as kettle corn popcorn, fresh-squeezed lemonade, corn dogs, Dole-whip frozen desert and more. Experience the thrill from riding the several roller coasters and daring attractions.

There will be live music every night, award-winning craft beer and wine, free horseback rides and engaging competitions that will have everyone in the family on their toes.

Those who attend a Sacramento Republic home game on July 12 and July 19 get free admission to the state fair when they present their valid Sacramento Republic ticket at the fairgrounds entry.  

Regular admission fee for the state fair costs $16 for adults, $10 for children 5 to 12; and $12 for seniors (ages 62 and above). Admission for children under 4 is free.

Tickets will be for sale at the fairgrounds, located at 1600 Exposition Blvd., and available for purchase online at calexpostatefair.com/admission-tickets. 

There is nothing more that screams summer is here than fresh barbecue. On July 12, get ready for a good time by having a flavorful day of mouthwatering barbecue at the State Fair’s BBQ competition.

Residents get the opportunity to be a judge and try all kinds of smoky flavors from California’s best grill masters.

The fairgrounds will be open for a full day, starting at 10 a.m. July 12. The People’s Choice tasting and judging will be from noon to 3 p.m.

For $15, attendees can sample and score barbecue entries from five competing teams. The official judging will be conducted by the Kansas City Barbecue Society at 3:30 p.m. at the Save Mart California’s Kitchen, which is located in Building B on the fairgrounds.

The awards ceremony to celebrate the winners and see who takes home the top prize will be at 6 p.m.

With summer right around the corner, let’s get out and have some fun in the sun.