by Clair Handy, Mary Pope-Handy | Jul 25, 2026 | Events, Irrelevant Fun, Kids, LG Lifestyle, Los Gatos Art & Entertainment, Los Gatos Events, Los Gatos History, Parks, Visiting Los Gatos
This weekend enjoy some family-friendly fun and local history at Oak Meadow Park with back-to-back celebrations for National Carousel Day and Billy Jones Day!
National Carousel Day: July 25th
Today, Saturday July 25th 2026, is National Carousel Day! To celebrate, take a ride on the historic (and beautifully restored) W.E. “Bill” Mason Carousel. Come learn about the history of this centenarian ride from carousel volunteers, or just enjoy the music of the band organ, the lights, the art, and festivities. Did you know that each horse has a name? Not only that, you can learn a little about each horse (or even adopt one) by visiting the Carousel Horses page on the Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad website.
Hear a little more about what to expect from Will Whitney here: https://fb.watch/IAOlcNzb5Z/ And adults and older kids may enjoy reading about the preservation project, covered in this Los Gatan article by Amanda Senior earlier this year: In the workshop with carousel restorer Cheryl Stuermer.
Billy Jones Day: Last Sunday in July
The last Sunday of July is Billy Jones Day, also this weekend on July 26th! This annual celebration “honor[s] the man who started it all by doing things the way he did on his ranch.” (BJWWR) That means all rides (on both the train and carousel) are an open donation instead of their usual fee – donate as much or as little as you like to support the nonprofit, Billy Jones Wildcat Railroad, Inc., that is keeping these rides running and open to the public, and preserving them and their history for the next generation.
This year they’re going full-steam ahead and firing up all the locomotives plus one guest steam enegine for the event!
Both days, the train and carousel will be on their usual summer weekend hours, running from 10:30am – 4:30pm. The Snack Shack will be open both days from 11:00am – 3:30pm. There may be a fee of $6 to park at the Oak Meadow Parking lot if there is an attendant at the booth, however the lot can fill up early on summer weekends, so plan accordingly!
by Mary Pope-Handy | Jan 2, 2026 | Los Gatos Events
The Los Gatos Lions Club is hosting its annual Cioppino Dinner & Auction at St. Mary’s in downtown Los Gatos on Saturday, Jan 31, 2026 from 6 – 10 p.m. This fabulous fundraiser includes a 4 course meal, not to be missed! The proceeds will benefit the Los Gatos Lions Club Charities (many great causes – you can check them all out at this page on the LG Lions Club website).
Cioppino Dinner ticket info:
Tickets are $100 and sold by Lions Club members directly or they can be purchased online at Eventbrite for $108.55 with the service fee.
The Lions Club website says that tickets are $100. The Lions’ Facebook page says “Los Gatos Lions Club Cioppino Dinner, silent auction and raffle, January 27, 2018, 6:00 PM. Held at St. Mary’s Church, Howley Hall, 219 Bean St., Los Gatos. You will not want to miss this outstanding dinner and fun filled event. Proceeds benefit Los Gatos Lions Club Charities for sight, scholarships and community programs.
by Mary Pope-Handy | Apr 29, 2023 | Events, Downtown Los Gatos
The Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce is sponsoring a pre-Mother’s Day special event, the Spring Fashion Show & Brunch, on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at The Palms.
Spring Fashion Show Details:
Showcased will be the offerings of downtown Los Gatos merchants.
Buffet Brunch of quiche, salad & dessert, unlimited mimosas & soft drinks. No host bar.
Tickets are $85 each or $340 for a table of 4. Learn more or purchase tickets online at the Chamber’s page for this fun event.
Related Reading
Los Gatos Free Music Concert Series
List of Los Gatos neighborhoods (links to articles for many parts of town)
by Clair Handy | Sep 2, 2022 | Events, Homes & Housing Market, Land Use, Los Gatos Government
If you want a say in shaping the blueprint of Los Gatos’ future, now is your opportunity to comment on the Housing Element.
If you’re reading this article, you probably live or work in Los Gatos and have a real interest in it’s future. Like much of California, Los Gatos has been in a housing shortage for decades. The Housing Element will determine how to meet the needs of the Town’s future, and engagement from locals will help direct how it meets the needs of the community.
Every 8 years the state requires each municipality to create a plan for future development, especially housing development, to meet the needs of current and future populations (read about it on the Town’s page on the General Plan). Back in March we shared information about one of the first community meetings on the Town of Los Gatos Housing element. As of late August 2022, the first draft has been published and is in the public review and commentary period.
To view the plan draft, visit EngageLosGatosHousing.com/. There you can find a copy of the plan as well as a timeline, scheduled public events, sign up for email updates, and even submit commentary on some of the selected sites. Read to the end of this article for a quick list of ways to engage, including in-person and virtual opportunities to ask Town staff questions about the plan.
Affordable Housing In Los Gatos
For this planning cycle, it has been determined that Los Gatos needs to increase housing by 1,993 units. Nearly 58% of that has been allocated to moderate and above moderate income housing and the other 42% is allocated lower income household. We need all of those homes!
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by Mary Pope-Handy, Clair Handy | Jan 5, 2022 | Events, Food & Drink, Irrelevant Fun, LG Lifestyle, Los Gatos Art & Entertainment, Los Gatos Events, Los Gatos Restaurants, Cafes, Bars, Wineries, Pampered in Los Gatos
While the annual CrabFest is postponed another year, the Rotary Club of Los Gatos is continuing a new tradition with their 2nd annual Virtual WineFest & Auction! Save the date for Saturday, January 29th at 5pm!
This year’s event centers around gourmet bites and Argentinian wines (or try the non-alcoholic selection) guided by sommelier Joe Chiodo. Tickets include a Wine Tasting Kit for 2 with curbside pick-up from Rootstock Wine Bar prior to the event. Evening entertainment includes a live performance by Lavender Fields.
And as always, the main event is the charity auction! Proceeds benefit the Rotary Charities foundations, and this year the “Raise the Paddle” auction item benefits Los Gatos House of Hope, West Valley Community Services, and Peninsula Food Runners to help fight hunger and food insecurity locally.
Virtual WineFest & Auction
For ticket sales, event details and updates, contact the event team, or donate directly check the Los Gatos Rotary website and Virtual WineFest & Auction event page. Each ticket is for a 2-person tasting experience at a cost of $150.
The event is also posted on the Los Gatos Chamber of Commerce event calendar with easy links to save the date on your virtual calendar and view a video promotion for the event.
This weekend enjoy some family-friendly fun and local history at Oak Meadow Park with back-to-back celebrations for National Carousel Day and Billy Jones Day!
