Weekend Planner: Reptiles, Organic Gardening, Carnival, Martial Arts, Food Court Competition

It’s Thursday, and you’ve got no idea what you’ll do for the weekend. Patch is coming to the rescue. We’ve got the best bets for your done-work-outta-here time. Check our picks for the activities to hit this weekend.


Where/When: Church of the Transfiguration, 4000 E. Castro Valley Blvd., Castro Valley; Saturday, July 30, from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Why Go: Celebrate Transfiguration Church’s 50th anniversary by bringing friends and family to an all-day carnival filled with food and activities for all ages.
Cost: Free admission, prices for food and activities vary


Where/When: Sulphur Creek Nature Center, 1801 D St., Hayward; Saturday, July 30, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Why Go: See and touch slithering snakes and lengthy lizards, and wish Malcolm the tortoise a very special Happy 25th Birthday!
Cost: Free

Where/When: Bayfair Mall; Saturday, July 30, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Why Go: Watch five food vendors go head to head one last time to win a year’s worth of free rent at Bayfair Mall. The winner will also receive a hefty $25,000 paycheck.
Keep a Lookout: Patch will be there covering the event.
Cost: Free


Where/When: Institute of Urban Homesteading, 839 - 60th St., Emeryville; Saturday, July 30, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Why Go: Learn how to fill your front yard with this season’s crops and have your flourishing garden and newly acquired green thumb by the envy amongst your neighbors.
Cost: $45-$65

Where/When: , 2843 Whipple Rd, Union City; Saturday, July 30, from 9:30 a.m. to noon; Sunday, July 31, from 1:30 p.m. to 4 p.m.
Why Go: Learn from one of the best in martial arts: Grand Master Richard Bustillo. As one of Bruce Lee’s original students, he will cover Muay Thai, jiu-jitsu, and other martial art forms.
Cost: $95/both days or $60/day

You can add an event to our calendar here .