{"id":1662,"date":"2014-09-14T17:36:02","date_gmt":"2014-09-14T21:36:02","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=1662"},"modified":"2014-09-14T17:36:02","modified_gmt":"2014-09-14T21:36:02","slug":"family-friendly-santa-cruz-events-mission-hill-birthday-mole-mariachi-festival","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/santacruzfoodie.com\/?p=1662","title":{"rendered":"Family-friendly Santa Cruz events: Mission Hill birthday, Mole & Mariachi festival"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Mariachi<\/a>

Mariachi Gilroy, a performer at the 2014 Mole & Mariachi Festival<\/p><\/div>\n

Here are a couple upcoming family-friendly events in Santa Cruz.<\/p>\n

Mission Hill Creamery\u2019s 2nd birthday celebration: Monday, Sept. 15, 2014<\/strong>
\nOwner Dave Kumec invites the community to visit Mission Hill Creamery\u2019s Scoop Shop and Dessert Caf\u00e9 on Monday, Sept. 15 \u2013 all day and until they close \u2013 for a $1 birthday scoop of ice cream. This special discount is his way of saying thanks for all your support.<\/p>\n

A bit of history, as told by Dave:
\n\u201cMission Hill Creamery<\/a> started 4 1\/2 years ago in the Culinary Center of Santa Cruz on Front Street. From those humble beginnings, we have grown to our current location and now offer a variety of ice creams, desserts, novelties, milkshakes, floats, as well as a full coffee and tea menu, and packed pints. Our products are distributed in nine counties and growing. Come help us celebrate as we happily grow into our third year in our Pacific Avenue Creamery store.\u201d<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong>: 1101B Pacific Avenue near Cathcart, next to Taqueria Vallarta and across the street from Kianti’s
\nHours for 9\/15 celebration<\/strong>: Noon to 11 pm<\/p>\n

Mole & Mariachi Festival: Saturday, Sept. 20, 2014<\/strong>
\nThe 2nd annual event is from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. at the Santa Cruz Mission Adobe State Historic Park, and it offers lots of fabulous food\u2014and not just mole! In addition to local food, wine, beer, and other beverages, guests can enjoy music and dance performances, kids\u2019 crafts and a pi\u00f1ata, and a raffle. I attended last year, and it was great fun for the whole family. There is free admission.<\/p>\n

This year, nine local restaurants and chefs will prepare moles. Festival attendees and a panel of local celebrity judges will select their favorites. Santa Cruz restaurant El Jardin won \u201cPeople\u2019s Choice\u201d last year. If you want to sample moles, there is a $10 tasting kit for sale. A list of mole competitors and other vendors is below.<\/p>\n

All event proceeds benefit Friends of Santa Cruz State Parks. Want to avoid the trouble of parking your car? There will be bike valet service at the park, as well a free trolley to the festival from downtown Santa Cruz.<\/p>\n

For more info, visit www.thatsmypark.org. Watch a 30-second Mole & Mariachi PSA video here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Location<\/strong>: Santa Cruz Mission Adobe State Historic Park, 144 School Street near downtown Santa Cruz<\/p>\n

Mole competitors<\/strong>:<\/p>\n