85th Anniversary Special Events & Activities - 2019

For 85 years, the East Bay Regional Park District has preserved and protected open space in Alameda and Contra Costa counties and provided public access to regional parks, shorelines, and trails for hiking, biking, swimming, horseback riding, boating, fishing, picnicking, camping, and nature discovery. Explore our 85th Anniversary interactive story map!

To celebrate the Park District’s 85th Anniversary, we produced a number of special events and programs, including FREE Park Fridays, FREE Concerts in the Parks, and a FREE Fall Arts and Music Festival. In 2019 we celebrated our 85th Anniversary and the Regional Parks Foundation's 50th anniversary!

Free Park Fridays

Park entry and other fees were waived every Friday in 2019 from April to December to celebrate the Park District’s 85th Anniversary. Park entrance and fees for day-use parking, swimming, dogs, horse trailers, boat launching, and fishing permits were also waived. Fee waivers did not apply to special event permits/reservations, camping, and associated fees, or state fees such as fishing licenses and watercraft inspections. Fee waiver also did not apply to District concessions. Park entrance was subject to available occupancy.

FREE parking, swimming, dog fees, horse trailers, boat launching, and fishing permits was offered.
State fees/permits camping, watercraft inspections still apply.
FREE entrance to Ardenwood Historic Farm in Fremont, on non-event days, was also offered.
Download: Free Friday's Flyer [PDF]

Regional Parks Foundation 50th Anniversary Gala Event

A Night to Remember, Golden Gala featuring Michael McDonald.
Was held on Thursday, October 10, 2019 at Casa Real at Ruby Hill Winery.
• RPF Website Gala Homepage [PDF Archive]
• RPF Website Event Page [PDF Archive]

Free! Fall Arts and Music Festival - 2019

Saturday, September 28, 2019, 1-5pm, FAM Fest! Fall Arts and Music Festival at the Bridge Yard Building, at Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline, 210 Burma Road, Oakland [Map].
FAM Fest! is for all-ages, FREE, and ADA accessible.
• Download: Event Flyer [PDF] • Follow the FAM Fest! event page on Facebook.

FAM Fest! A celebration of our 85th anniversary and the Regional Parks Foundation's 50th anniversary on Saturday, September 28, from 1-5 p.m. Held at Oakland’s newest regional event center, the Bridge Yard Building, with an opportunity to explore the Judge John Sutter Regional Shoreline park in Oakland.

The celebration featured live music performances, kids activities, climbing wall, vendors, live art and exhibits, food, tours, secure bike parking, and much more.

Organized in partnership with OAKHELLA, SaulPaul and Drakes Brewing Co.

Additional performances by: JC Stringz, DJ R, Saraswathy Lakshmivaraham, Queen Deelah and Alphabet Rockers.

Previous Concerts in the Parks - 2019

Friday, September 13, 5:30-7:30pm, Concerts at the Cove, Crown Beach, Alameda

SambaDa: Traditional Afro-Brazilian heritage music blended with funk, rock & reggae
Friday, August 23, 6-8pm, Concert in the Park, Contra Loma, Antioch

The David Perez Band: Latin Pop/Rock, Cumbia, Tex Mex, Salsa
Friday, August 9, 5:30-7:30pm, Concerts at the Cove, Crown Beach, Alameda

Jazz Mafia: Jazz, funk, soul, hip-hop & electronica
Friday, July 12, 5:30-7:30pm, Concerts at the Cove, Crown Beach, Alameda

Majestic: The Ultimate Tribute to San Francisco's very own rock band 'Journey'
Saturday, June 22, 12pm-2pm, Concert in the Park, Lake Chabot, Castro Valley. Parking fees still apply.

The Cheeseballs: High energy dance band