Some parents take part in sports vicariously through their kids, but I just realized I’ve been missing out on a huge opportunity to do so through our dog after seeing Flyball, a team relay race/obstacle course competition for dogs that is absolutely mesmerizing to watch.
I can visualize Parker flying over little hurdles with a ball in his mouth, though admittedly my aspirations may be high for a pooch whose favorite activities are laying in the sun and barking at birds.
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If you haven’t seen Flyball in action, you’ve got your chance Saturday. The Bay Area-based Fighting for Freedom Flyball Club will have demonstrations and workshops during Bark in the Park, the annual dog festival at San Jose’s William Street Park widely believed to be the largest convening of canines in the country. It’s expected to draw about 1,000 pups and 5,000 people from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (Dogs and kids are free; grown-ups are asked for a $10 donation.)
Besides the Flyball demos, there will be the usual fun stuff like a pet-owner look-alike contest, a costume contest and a tail-wagging contest. There’s also dog training, agility courses and vaccinations from Humane Society Silicon Valley, as well as more than 80 pet-related vendors. Kids can take part in doggy-related crafts, jump around in a bounce house or get their face painted. There’ll also be live music, food trucks and beer and wine stations.
Get the full rundown at www.barksanjose.org.
MOVING RIGHT ALONG: It’s a big weekend for Caltrain, which will inaugurate its full electric train service with free rides and events at stations in San Jose, Palo Alto and San Mateo this weekend.
Culture Night Market will host an event outside Diridon Station in downtown San Jose from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Saturday with vendors, food trucks and music. Celebratory speeches about the milestone will happen at 11:30 a.m., with San Jose Mayor Matt Mahan, Santa Clara County Supervisor Cindy Chavez, California Transportation Commissioner Carl Guardino and Caltrain Executive Director Michelle Bouchard among the speakers. Another big name that’ll be in attendance will be former Supervisor Rod Diridon Sr., the longtime transit advocate for whom the station is named.
Caltrain is offering free rides Saturday and Sunday and is hosting official events at the Palo Alto station on Saturday and the San Mateo station on Sunday, with food trucks, games and giveaways from 2 to 6 p.m. Events will be held at other stations on both days, and you can get the full schedule at www.caltrain.com/launchparty.
MUSICAL NOTES: Music in the Park wraps up its season at Plaza de Cesar Chavez in downtown San Jose this weekend, with Cuco playing Sept. 20 and fan favorite J Boog on Sept. 22. Friday’s show starts at 5 p.m. with openers Strawberry Guy and Thee Heart Tones and Sunday’s begins at 4 p.m. with Rey Resurreccion & Chemical Therapy.
On the day between the two shows, Bay Area Parent magazine is holding a Kids Day in the Park from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. with family-friendly activities and entertainment from kids’ music performers Lori & RJ. Tickets are $5 in advance online or $10 at the door.
And if you’re looking for a weekend musical getaway with a good cause behind it, jazz guy Michael Jacobi dropped me a line about Jazz at the Ranch, a three-day festival Oct. 18-20 at Rancho Cielo in Salinas that will feature Los Lobos, bluesman Chris Cain, Australian singer-songwriter Sarah McKenzie, Nicolas Bearde with Full Spectrum Jazz Band and the Latin Jazz Collective with John Nava. Proceeds from ticket sales — which include parking and elevated appetizers — will support the arts and mental health programs at Rancho Cielo, a nonprofit that provides vocational training and high school education for at-risk youth. Get details at ranchocieloyc.org.
THE CABOOSE: The Los Altos History Museum timed its annual “Train Days” perfectly, with the celebration of model railroading taking place the same weekend as Caltrain’s big electric train rollout. The museum event, which runs 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, will feature model railway layouts by clubs and collectors including the Bay Area Garden Railway Society and the Golden Gate Lionel Railroad Club. Catch all the information at losaltoshistory.org/traindays2024.
