By Angela Cisneros
We are proud to honor our nation’s 249th birthday this Independence Day, but did you know Atascadero was also founded on July 4? On July 4, 1913, 20,000 acres of land was purchased by E.G. Lewis to begin construction on one of the first planned cities in America, Atascadero! We have a lot to be grateful for with regards to where we live, so let’s celebrate how small towns celebrate best, with each other!
Saturday evenings at the Atascadero Lake Park while enjoying live music and catching up with friends has become quintessential. The music begins at 6:30 p.m. and ends at 8:30 p.m., but be sure to come early with your chairs, blanket, and picnic to get your favorite spot. This month, the lineup is Garden Party on July 5, Josh Rosenblum on July 12, and The Platinum Beat on July 26.
Another way to bring families together is our Movies in the Park on Fridays. This month, “Mufasa” will be playing on July 11 at Colony Park from 8 to 10 p.m. It is a fun and easy way to get the families in your circle together because no one has to clean their house!
The California Mid-State Fair runs from July 16 to 27, with plenty of ways to spend time with each other. From concerts to carnivals, the fair is always a fun place. But what if you want to do something different?
Enjoy a seasonally changing menu at Barley and Boar in downtown Atascadero. They have the attention to detail and vibe like you’d experience in Sonoma or Napa, making it a great date night or friend night. If you happen to be gluten-free and/or vegetarian (like myself), they clearly label their menu items, making it easy to pick something delicious. Stroll around the park after dinner to end up at Ancient Owl Beer Garden and Bottle Shoppe with a nightcap and old-fashioned people-watching. Or challenge each other to axe-throwing at the A-Town Chop Shop to see who will buy dinner next.
Atascadero has become easily walkable with the Downtown Enhancement Project. Take your family and friends to LOL Yogurt after dinner and walk around the Sunken Gardens enjoying the beautiful summer evenings we have in Atascadero. Treat yourself to the latest movie (and yummy popcorn) at Colony Cinemas and walk up to Streetside Ale House and Eatery for dinner afterward. My personal favorite is to enjoy a unique beverage at Green Omen Apothecary with friends and walk over to The Book Odyssey to find a new summer read. The staff and owner are knowledgeable and helpful but also give you plenty of room to discover a new favorite.
Abraham Lincoln said,“… it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” Spending time with the ones who are most important to you while enjoying our beautiful city, is the richest way to add life to your years.
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