October 15 & 16 is Monterey’s History Fest, the annual “history open house”.

The weekend schedule is full of special activities related to Monterey’s unique history!

Visit historic buildings and sites; meet the folks and find out about Monterey County’s cultural groups; take a guided tour to some of California’s most historic places; enjoy a film festival featuring selected films about Monterey; attend lectures; watch a re-enactment of California’s Constitutional Convention; visit a Civil War encampment with cannon musket firing demonstrations and a horse drawn ambulance; watch a Bocce Ball tournament and a Fandango.

All of these free activities are part of Historic Monterey’s annual History Fest being celebrated throughout historic downtown, Cannery Row, Lower Presidio Park, Custom House Plaza, Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Colton Hall and more!

For copy of News Release: history-fest-press-release-2016

For copy of Program Brochure: history-fest_brochure_2016_final

Saturday & Sunday ~

 Custom House Plaza – Noon – 4 pm

• Meet your Cultural Heritage groups from throughout Monterey County
• Take Walking tours of Monterey’s most historic sites
• Fisherman’s Wharf Birthday Celebration
• Living History ~ A Fandango~ Presentations ~ Bocce Ball ~ Participate in a Treasure Hunt for all ages and much more!

Old Fisherman’s Wharf Holds 171st Birthday Celebration During History Fest!

The Monterey Fisherman’s Wharf Association will sponsor and hold Monterey’s Old Fisherman’s Wharf 171^st Birthday Celebration at Old Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey, California, on Saturday and Sunday, October 15^th The special celebration will take place during Monterey’s History Fest weekend of activities.

This free family-friendly event will celebrate the fascinating history of the Wharf which was built by Thomas Larkin in 1845. Fisheries Historian Tim Thomas will do a FREE “Wharf Walk” on Saturday, October 15^th from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.  (RSVP to 831-521-3304). Come to the 171st Birthday Cake Cutting Ceremony at the Wharf tent at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday in front of Abalonetti Bar and Grill and enjoy a free slice of the delicious whale-themed birthday cake donated by Fisherman’s Wharf Association.

To celebrate the birthday event, many Wharf restaurants will also feature a variety of delicious “fish-themed” cakes for purchase. Other promotions will be offered at various locations along the Wharf.

The event will also commemorate the Argentine sailor pirate Hippolyte Bouchard who raided and occupied Monterey in 1818. 

For more information about Old Fisherman’s Wharf, go to www.montereywharf.com or call (831) 238-0777.

 Music & Entertainment Throughout the Weekend!

 Lower Presidio Historic Park – Civil War Encampment – Walking Tours; demonstrations, bus tour of upper Presidio

 Free walking tours of Monterey State Historic Park leave from Pacific House adjacent to Custom House Plaza

 Saturday ~October 15th

 Pacific Biological Labs (Ed Ricketts) on Cannery Row– Docent Tours

 Sunday ~ October 16th

 1849 Constitutional Convention Reenactment at the House of Four Winds

Casa Gutierrez presents a special exhibit of WPA artwork

Located at 590 Calle Principal, this 1840s adobe, once the art studio of Thomas Kinkade, will showcase a collection of WPA murals and artworks from the 1930s. A “must see” for art lovers!