More than 100 years ago James O'Hara planted 80 acres of almonds in Oakley's sandy soil. There's not much left of Oakley's nutty past, but it remains alive in the Oakley Almond Festival, which held its 17th event last weekend in O'Hara Park.

The celebration featured country and rock bands, a car show, a boat show, the ever-popular diaper derby, a cooking contest, Saturday Night at the Movies, souvenirs, food, carnival games, arts and crafts, various business booths, a parade and last but not least: almonds.

"I just love being a part of Oakley," said Gene Buchholz, President of the Chamber of Commerce. "All in all, the festival went very smooth. We had more vendors this year than in the past. We try to make the festival a family event."

Guests enjoyed booths that offered family fun such as Kidz Art, where children participated in art demonstrations by artist Michelle Garcia.

"Two days in a row, the kids keep coming back," said Karin Yearman, Executive Director of Kidz Art. "We have been teaching art demonstrations and had to change it up just for the kids that keep returning."

"We are having fun watching the kids just light up," said Debbie Ancona, adding that although game tickets were a bit pricey, the children enjoyed every minute.

"This is fun and a good outing," said Julie Waters as she rounded up three small children who all agreed that the rides were "very cool."

"I like the way it is set up and it seems like there is a lot of people here. He just loves it," said Anita Rohman as she watched her son try to catch flying prize coupons in a Prize Cube. "The ticket prices for games are kind of high but he won a hermit crab."





Joey Ferrante, 12, and his mother Margaret try to win a hermit crab.

Many stands offered educational fun such as the Contra Costa Mosquito Control District, where a group of girls were in awe of mosquito larva kept in water-filled jars.

"It is fun and the rides are really cool," said Nadean Moreno, 6. "I really like the bug stuff."

"This is the coolest day of the month," said Priscilla Munoz, 9, who was enjoying the coolness with her sisters Angela, 10, and Miranda, 7. "Today has been so much fun."

Sponsors included Brentwood Press, City of Oakley, Discovery Homes, Pulte Homes, Centex Homes, KB Homes, Ponderosa Homes, Pacific Funding Group, John Muir Health, ECC Bank Delta Fence, Lauritzen's Yacht Harbor, Oakley Chiropractic, The Monthly Grapevine, Comfort Suites, DR Horton America's Builder, Oakley Disposal Service, UPS Store, Parsons Brinkerhoff, Riker Homes, Raley's, Meyers/Nave Attorney's and Giant Donuts.