In addition to its fascinating Gold Rush past, the Sacramento area is rich with an amazing array of state-of-the-art museums and historic sites that offer visitors the chance to explore California’s fine art, history, science, and wildlife treasures all year long.  In August, many of the 29 members of Sacramento Association of Museums (SAM) are heating up the fun with some out-of-the-box celebrations and activities, including:

Month-Long Birthday Celebration at the Sacramento Children’s Museum - August 1-31
During the entire month of August, the Sacramento Children’s Museum celebrates their one-year birthday with special activities every single day! Then on August 30, the Museum is throwing Leo the mascot a big Birthday Bash FUNdraiser! For more, go to www.sackids.org

CAM Car Cruise Hosted by the California Automobile Museum - August 4 
Vroom, vroom....get ready for the 4th Annual CAM Car Cruise!  Unique cars of all makes and models will cruise through the streets of Sacramento along Fulton Avenue at 4 p.m. concluding with a huge car show on Fulton between El Camino and Marconi at 5 p.m. Early registration is encouraged, for more information, visit www.calautomuseum.org

Horsing Around at the Old Sacramento City Cemetery - August 4
Help the Old Sacramento City Cemetery celebrate the role of the horse in Sacramento's early history, including stories about the Pony Express, Wells Fargo Stagecoaches, early saddle makers and more.  As a highlight, a special 10 a.m. tour will be led by several riders on horseback from the Pony Express Association.  For more, visit www.oldcitycemetery.com

Banana Festival Presented by the Sojourner Truth Multicultural Museum - August 18 & 19
Don’t miss the 3rd Annual Sacramento Banana Festival as the Sojourner Truth Multicultural Art Museum celebrates community, culture, art, music, food, diversity, health and wellness and, of course, the banana!!  For more information about this fun event that takes place at William Land Park, visit www.sojoarts.net

“Hands on History: Fun on the Frontier” at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park - August 18
It’s “game on” at Sutter’s Fort State Historic Park! Enthusiastic docents will guide Fort visitors in learning to play fun and interactive pioneer games and contests. Visitors will be encouraged to participate in fun and friendly games such as barrel hoop races, the game of Graces, tug-of-war, jump rope, old-fashioned marbles and even parlor games. For more, visit www.suttersfort.org.

For more information about SAM, its partners and/or these and other events and activities, visit www.sacmuseums.org.