Special Events in Murphys

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Nearly every month, you will find some type of special event happening in Murphys, be it an old-fashioned street fair, a community-wide open house, winery and art gallery tours, concerts and live theatre festivals. Here are a few of the events that are very popular in Murphys.

Murphys Irish Day - A Celebration of the Irish

One of the premiere annual events in the Mother Lode is Murphys Irish Day.  Each year on the third Saturday in March, thousands of people from Northern California and beyond gather in the historic gold rush town of Murphys to honor its Celtic heritage and to celebrate as only the Irish can. Its picturesque Main Street is filled with booths offering hand crafted items, original art, photographs, tasty food, wine, and other beverages.

The day begins with a pancake breakfast.  At 11 a.m. the swirl of bagpipes heralds a parade of marching bands, classic cars, horses, community organizations, novelty entries, and some of the finest children in the land.

Throughout the day, there is continuous entertainment featuring singers, dancers, musicians, and jugglers.  There are pony rides for the young ones and Renaissance actors encamped in the park.  And some lucky raffle ticket buyer will win an exciting trip for two to Ireland.

All this in addition to the charming shops, fine restaurants, and tasting rooms that line historic Main Street and help create what is nationally recognized as one of the finest small towns in America.

The Murphys Business Association creates Irish Day each year with the knowledge that if you visit Murphys once you will return again and again.

Sponsored by the Murphys Business Association, Murphys Irish Day is a fundraiser for many community projects and non-profit organizations. For more information, contact info@visitmurphys.com or visit www.murphysirishdays.org.

Press Releases and Media Photos Available Here!

Calaveras Grape Stomp and Street Faire

Who, in their right mind, would dress up like Bacchus or Lucy Ricardo and jump up and down like a banshee in a wine barrel with 25 pounds of grapes? Answer: No one in his or her right mind.

Gold Rush Day gives everyone the rare pleasure of getting un-serious in a serious world. Every first Saturday in October the historic town of Murphys transforms into a frenzy of activity with two renowned events - the Calaveras Grape Stomp and the Gold Rush Street Faire. Both events run simultaneously between 10 a.m. and 5 p.m. and benefit Feeney Community Park on Highway 4 in Murphys.

Organized by the Calaveras Wine Association, the Annual Calaveras Grape Stomp takes place in picturesque Murphys Park. The day's events include energetic stomp competitions every half hour, live music in the gazebo, silent auction, BBQ, team costume contest, back and neck massage, children's games and face painting, belly dancing performances, and wine tasting.

Teams of two, one stomper and one swabber who collects the juice, stomp 25 pounds of grapes for three minutes. Out of the eight teams each half hour, the team that collects the most juice wins the heat and is eligible for the 4 p.m. finals. Cash awards and prizes are given to the first, second, and third place teams.

Competitions are highly encouraged between businesses, organizations, friends, and schools, and pre-registration is strongly recommended as stomp competitions sell out well before the event.

Just half a block away, shopping is to "live for" at the Annual Gold Rush Street Faire, as Main Street fills with over 100 booths of quality arts and crafts, antiques, handcrafted goods, jewelry, clothing, collectibles, and food booths, in addition to Murphys' multitude of one-of-a-kind specialty shops. The event is hosted by the Feeney Park Foundation, and has been a valued tradition in Murphys for many years.

One of Calaveras County's most popular pair of events, the Grape Stomp and Street Faire guarantee a good time for all ages, and general admission is free.

Murphys Holiday Open House

Every year on the first Friday in December, Murphys celebrates the holiday season with a community Open House. Admission is free. The Open House is a great time to peruse Murphys' wonderful shops and restaurants, visit with old friends, light the community tree, and experience an old-time community holiday spirit. Musicians and carolers fill the streets with holiday cheer. A favorite of locals, the annual event is an old-fashioned community celebration featuring holiday treats, and local wines hosted by Main Street merchants and the Murphys Business Association.

The evening begins at 5 p.m. with Main Street being closed from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. If the weather permits, Santa & Mrs. Claus arrive at 5:30 p.m. by carriage down Main Street accompanied by many children. They make a stop at “The Tree House” to light the community tree, and continue on to the Native Sons Hall to visit with little girls and boys until 8:30 p.m. Parents may purchase a photo of their children with Santa for $5.00.

The following day the Calaveras Winegrape Alliance hosts it’s own Open House at each of the Calaveras wineries from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Admission is free. The wineries offer special wine discounts and a fine selection of private special and gourmet food products, clothing, and specialty gift items.

Come experience the holiday spirit of Murphys for an evening of pure enchantment.