GRANTS PASS, Ore. — It’s a Memorial Day tradition in Josephine County bringing the together best in wet and wild activities. The 2013 Boatnik celebration is now officially underway.

The carnival kicked off at Riverside Park, and continues through Monday. This afternoon you can play bingo or check out the refreshment gardens. Then in the evening, there’ll be a boat show, live music and a fireworks show.

The parade is tomorrow morning at ten a-m. The thrilling boat races will take to the water throughout the weekend and, of course, plenty of food and live entertainment. It all happens at Riverside Park in Grants Pass now through Monday.

Buncom Day

What could be Oregon’s smallest parade is bringing one of the last standing ghost towns to life tomorrow. Travel up the Applegate for Buncom Day between 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

From the parade at noon, to the world-famous Chicken Splat Contest, it’s sure to be an unforgettable experience. You can also enjoy a barbecue lunch the country store, children’s activities and exhibits, including one by the Oregon Paranormal Society. Admission is free.

45 Seconds from Broadway at Camelot Theatre

Broadway is the heart and soul of New York’s theater district, where stars past, present and yet to come gather to chase their dreams.

Neil Simon’s “45 seconds from Broadway” is a heart-warming comedy that takes us behind the scenes in the entertainment world. Come to the legendary polish tea room near the heart of New York City’s theatre district on New York’s 47th street.

Here, Broadway theater personalities – both washed-up and on-the-rise – gather to schmooze even as they lose. This touching valentine to New York explores the foibles and the funny in the human comedy.

“45 seconds from Broadway” runs at the Camelot theatre in talent now through June 9. Contact the Camelot Box Office for ticket information.

MEDFORD, Ore. — This month’s third Friday event in downtown Medford is tuning up for a celebration of music, dance and shopping.

The Diamonds and Denim Band will be in Vogel Plaza from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. sending up the sounds of blues, classic rock, country and more. You can also get into the swing as dancers from the Southern Oregon Swing Convention Show what gets their feet moving.

Get ready for some bargains with the first annual Southern Oregon Shop Hop. It’s one stop shopping with local re-sale stores. And be sure to bring some canned food for access for special discounts. You can have fun getting around in the “all aboard trolley” throughout the evening.

On Sunday, you can get up close and personal with the vehicles used by police officers past and present and see other classic cars as well.

It’s the first ever “Cops and Rodders” event at Heritage Motors in Medford. Take a look at police cars that are currently in-service with Southern Oregon police agencies from Medford to Brookings. Privately restored vintage police cars will also be on hand along with other classic cars.

Funds raised will benefit the Down Syndrome Association of Southern Oregon. Cops and Rodders is Sunday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

In Josephine County is an event made especially for pet lovers. The Pet Fair features demonstrations and products for pets of all shapes and sizes.

Bring your pet on a leash or in a carrier to enjoy the fun together. Donations of pet food are also being collected to benefit Josephine County animal shelters.

There’s pony rides for the kids and food and a variety of raffle prizes. The Pet Fair is at the Josephine County Fairgrounds on Saturday and Sunday.

MEDFORD, Ore. — This Sunday is Mother’s Day and that means that downtown Medford is coming alive with color and sound. It’s the 13th annual Art-in-Bloom Festival, an event that has become a Mother’s Day tradition.

The event features live entertainment, food, beer and wine tasting, children’s activities and, of course a colorful array of art and flowers. New this year-ladies local, where moms and ladies young and old can be pampered by local spas and vendors.

Also new is summer fun street, for families looking for information on activities for kids during the summer month. The Art-in-Bloom Festival runs Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. throughout downtown Medford.

You don’t have to take mom to New York to treat her to a night on Broadway. The Randall Theatre of Medford is offering a Mother’s Day Special for the Sunday afternoon performance of its current show, “An Evening on Broadway”.

Reserved seating is only $12 for the Mother’s Day Show. Plus, all ladies in attendance on that afternoon will receive a solar dancing flower as a free gift.

“An Evening on Broadway” is a world premier musical featuring the show-stopping tunes of Stephen Sondheim. Contact the Randall Theatre for ticket information.

If you like food and music served up with a taste of the old west, then it’s time to mosey on out to the Butte Creek Mill in Eagle Point. This Saturday, you take a trip back in time at the 6th annual Vintage Faire.

The event features food and fun fit for all ages including western re-enactments and grub served up by Rogue Valley Dutch Oven Cookers. Look for live music, classic cars and demonstrations of wood-carving, quilting and blacksmithing.

Park for free at Eagle Point High School and take the trolley to the event grounds. Admission is also free for all.

Kids and trains just seem to go together and there’s no place where that’s more true than at the Medford Railroad Park. The park features full size train cars for exploring and plenty of opportunities to get “all-aboard” and ride through the landscape with the Southern Oregon steamers.

You can also send a message with the working telegraph system. The Medford Railroad Park is open on the second and fourth Sundays of the month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Admission is free but donations are always welcome!

Pull back the curtain and get a look at what happens behind the scenes of a Broadway show.

“An Evening on Broadway” at the Randall Theatre of Medford brings you all the backstage drama. This is the world premiere performance of an original story paired with the stunning music of Stephen Sondheim.

Step behind the curtain and into the lives of a creative team as they attempt to put on a show that is not quite completed yet. This fast-paced musical comedy is full of memorable song and dance numbers played out on a three-level set.

The show runs at the Randall Theatre in Medford from May 3rd through the 19th. Contact the Randall Theatre for ticket information.

Spring Garden Show at Jackson County Fairgrounds

Warm up your green thumb: it’s time to get growing at the Spring Garden Fair.

Anyone looking for cost effective ways to enjoy a wide variety of healthy plants, quality products, and information will find it this weekend at the Jackson County Fairgrounds.

There’s something for everyone from the casual backyard gardener and beyond. The 34th annual Spring Garden Fair is presented by the Jackson County Master Gardener Association.

It runs Saturday and Sunday. Admission is three dollars for adults. Kids 15 and under are free.

Family Fishing Event at Reinhart Volunteer Park Pond

Time to dig out the fishing poles and get the whole family together. A family fishing event is set for Reinhart Volunteer Park Pond in Grants Pass on Saturday.

The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife is partnering with the Crater Bass Club to host the event. Bass Club volunteers and ODFW staff will provide fishing equipment and angling instruction.

The family fishing event is only from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

An award winning choral conductor, Lynn Sjolund taught for years in the Medford School District. In fact, the auditorium at North Medford High School is named in his honor. He was also the founding director of the Rogue Valley Chorale.

Sjolund has served as president of the Oregon Music Educator’s Association and of the Northwest Division of the Music Educators National Conference. His final concerts with the Rogue Valley Chorale are tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday afternoon at 3 p.m. at The Craterian Theater. Tickets are 20 dollars for adults and 5 dollars for students.

Foodies and wine connoisseurs from all along the west coast are getting ready to treat their senses to a variety of Ashland delights. “A Taste of Ashland” is in its twenty-fourth year. It is “The Ashland Gallery Associations” signature fund-raising event.

This walking tour of Ashland galleries pairs local restaurants and regional wineries to create Ashland’s most delicious art experience. Follow a map through 17 galleries and discover the sights and tastes that have made Ashland famous. A Taste of Ashland is on tomorrow and Sunday, April 27th and 28th from noon to 4 p.m.

Eagle Point is revving up for the Annual Thomas Ussary Memorial Car Show. Proceeds from the show go to the Thomas Ussary Memorial Scholarship fund and the Eagle Point High School Skills-USA Club. Tomorrow’s event includes a car show n’ shine, poker run, trophies, concessions, and many prizes! The event is at Eagle Point High School.

Tonight, from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., the Rogue Valley Food and Wine Festival will have a “date night” theme with live music and tomorrow from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. There will be a full day of family fun, including a “kids zone” sponsored by Kids Unlimited. Tickets for one day entrance cost $12 for adults and six dollars for kids. To attend both days, it costs $20 for adults and $10 for kids. The proceeds of this event will benefit Sacred Heart Catholic School.

This weekend, there will be a free concert at the Craterian in downtown Medford. Sunday at 7 p.m., head to the theater for the 12th annual Stars On Stage: Celebrating State Soloists event. The free community concert will feature 17 Jackson County winners of the District 8 High School vocal and instrumental music competitions, who are on their way to representing Southern Oregon at the state competition. This year’s student performers come from south Medford, North Medford, Phoenix, Ashland and St. Mary’s.

Everyone is invited to celebrate the 85th anniversary of the Southern Oregon Humane Society and see what’s new at the shelter. SoHumane is a non-profit charitable organization that accepts owner-surrendered cats and dogs and transfers from other shelters in the region. Healthy, adoptable animal are never euthanized. The anniversary celebration is tomorrow from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.. the shelter is located on Table Rock Road in Medford.

On Sunday morning, an event that’s been a weekly tradition will take on a bigger meaning. “Southern Oregon Running Enthusiasts” will dedicate their regular Sunday trail run to the victims of the Boston Marathon tragedy. They will be donating one dollar for each mile ran to a charity helping the school of the youngest person killed at the Boston Marathon. The run will take place this Sunday at 10:30 a.m. at Lost Creek Lake starting at Stewart State Park.

Plus, Academy Award-winning director Roger Ross-Williams will be showing his latest film “God Loves Uganda. The festival will also feature award ceremonies, Q&A’s and other attractions. The final awards ceremony will be this Sunday at 7:30 p.m. at the Ashland Armory.

It’s the hippest, hottest place in town: Central Bark, where every dog has his day and love conquers all. It’s “Dogpark The Musical” at the Oregon Cabaret Theatre in Ashland. The story is about Daisy, a sassy westie with relationship issues, who reluctantly goes to the dog park to give it one more try. She meets Champ the collie, a charming but self-centered show dog; Itchy, a “humperactive” jack russell terrier; and Bogie, the brooding, mysterious lab loner.

Unforeseen adventures eventually bond the new friends. Opening week tickets can benefit Friends Of The Animal Shelter are available for performances April 5 through 8. Benefit tickets are 45 dollars for tonight, Saturday, Sunday and Monday evening. Twenty dollars of that ticket price is tax-deductible donation to Friends of the Animal Shelter. Contact the Oregon Cabaret Theatre for information on tickets and dinner packages.

This weekend is your last chance to “The Elephant Man” at the Randall Theatre of Medford. The play is based on the true story Joseph Merrick who lived in Victorian-era England. In this adaptation, John Merrick is an intelligent and friendly man afflicted with a rare condition that causes physical deformities; as a result, he is shunned by society. He is rescued and befriended by a doctor who arranges for him to live out his days in a hospital.

He soon becomes the toast of London society and those who dare to look beyond his appearance find they are touched by the beauty of his spirit. The actor is playing the role without the benefit of specialized make-up or appliances. He instead manipulates his own body and facial features to create the illusion of the deformities. The Elephant Man plays at the Randall Theatre of Medford through Sunday. Contact the Randall Theatre Box Office for ticket information.

The play is based on the true story of Joseph Merrick who lived in Victorian-era England. In this adaptation, John Merrick, played by Peter Wycliffe, is an intelligent and friendly man afflicted with a rare condition that causes physical deformities. As a result, he is shunned by society. He is rescued and befriended by a doctor who arranges for him to live out his days in a hospital. He soon becomes the toast of London society, and those who dare to look beyond his appearance find they are touched by the beauty of his spirit.

Wycliffe portrays the character without benefit of specialized make-up or appliances. He instead manipulates his own body and facial features to create the illusion of the deformities. The Elephant Man plays at the Randall Theatre of Medford through April 7th. Contact the Randall for ticket information.