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Jack London Park’s ‘Call of the Wild Weekend’

Posted on May 5, 2022 by Sonoma Valley Sun

Live singer-songwriter and storyteller performances, the re-opening of Vineyard Trail, guided hikes, family activities, Plow Day, an evening concert and more — including free admission — are all part of  Call of the Wild Weekend at Jack London State Historic Park, May 14 and 15, 2022.

The two-day, family-friendly community open house will include activities that celebrate Jack London’s love of nature, storytelling and gatherings of good friends.

All visitors that weekend will receive free admission to the park, normally $10 per vehicle with up to nine passengers.

Call of the Wild Weekend comes as the park also celebrates the tenth anniversary of the formation of Jack London Park Partners, one of the first non-profit organizations to be entrusted with management of a state park on behalf of the people of California.  Funding to keep the park going strong is received from visitors, annual passholders and generous donors.

The weekend’s organizers have retained four of the Bay Area’s most entertaining and compelling singer-songwriters to engage visitors around the park on Saturday, May 14:

John Elliott – Inspired equally by Bruce Springsteen and Eminem, Bob Dylan and Guns N’ Roses, Tom Petty and Queen. John has been releasing albums and performing in every type of venue you can imagine for twenty years from his home base in Northern California. He headlines the Call of the Wild Weekend musical experience and is the inspiration behind “Jack London’s Mysterious Call.”

 

Diana Gameros – A Bay Area singer, songwriter, guitarist, social activist and former undocumented immigrant, Gameros’ songs have been featured on Billboard, Mother Jones, NPR’s All Songs Considered, NPR’s Alt. Latino Podcast, Public Radio International – The World, and PBS Newshour. www.dianagameros.com

Maya Hall – A native of Fukuoka, Japan, and resident of San Francisco, Hall is a singer, songwriter, and sonic explorer touring the globe to spread the healing powers of sound and vibration.

Chris Chandler – An “American Storyteller,” Chandler has performed on thousands of stages across the US and Canada as well as for hundreds of organizations seeking social justice. He has worked with everyone from Allen Ginsberg to Ani DiFranco and Pete Seeger to Mojo Nixon. Utah Phillips says, “Chris Chandler is the best performance poet I have ever seen.”

Saturday, May 14

The day begins at 8:45 a.m. with a guided hike to the old lake for a 9:30 a.m. ribbon cutting ceremony to reopen the newly restored Vineyard Trail, which has been closed for improvements since December 2021.

The hike then continues to the Ancient Redwood “Grandmother Tree” – one of the state’s most unusual and beautiful redwoods.  This event is limited to 30 people.  Free tickets are available at https://jacklondonpark.com/events/trail-restoration/.

At 10 a.m., there will be a private Awards Ceremony for winners of the 2022 Jack London Park Young Authors’ Contest and their families in the Eucalyptus Grove.

Docent-led tours to diverse and wonder-filled historical and natural venues in the park will be offered at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.

At 11 a.m., visitors can gather at the Jack London table in the meadow and join the “Walking Introduction to Jack London’s Mysterious Call” – Easy, self-guided walks between four significant sites at Beauty Ranch.  The 10-minute walk between stops is rewarded with 10 minutes of live musical performances at each point.

Pack a picnic or purchase a meal from the Tri-Tip Trolley food truck, spread your blanket or folding chairs in the spacious Meadow and enjoy a Sonoma Valley Saturday at 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m.  Save room for a treat from Sweet Scoops ice cream cart.

At 1:30 p.m. local music-makers and fans will join famous singer-songwriters and storytellers in a “Songwriters Workshop” in the Winery Ruins.

Saturday’s finale will be a live concert in the Winery Ruins, featuring John Elliott, Diana Gameros, and Maya Hall at 6-8 p.m.  Tickets are $20 for adults and can be purchased at https://jacklondonpark.com/events/call-of-the-wild-concert/.  Seating is festival style and visitors are encouraged to bring folding chairs and/or blankets.

Sunday, May 15

Family Adventure Day, at 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. will celebrate the playful side of Jack London and his love of game, recreation, and all things fun.   The day begins with a guided, whimsical stroll through Beauty Ranch to explore some of the games that would have been played at the Ranch 100 years ago.

There will be a demonstration and activity by a Bubble Scientist and the ArtEscape Art VanGogh will also be on-hand to lead a fun art project to complete the event.

These free activities are geared for children ages eight and younger, but all ages are welcome. Children must be always accompanied by an adult.   Register for free tickets at https://jacklondonpark.com/events/family-adventure-day-spring-2022.

Plowing Play Day returns to the park at 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This popular family event features plowing and harnessing demonstrations and free horse-drawn wagon rides. Meet Clydesdales Percheron, Shire and Belgian draft horses and mules and see blacksmiths, spinning demonstrations, and early day gas engines.

For information on other upcoming events at the park, visit https://jacklondonpark.com/events.




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