MENDOCINO, Calif. – Celebrate the First of May on the beautiful Mendocino Coast viewing works by some of the area's most accomplished artists. Bid on a favorite piece, sample local wines, and enjoy an elegant indoor picnic prepared by Mendocino Coast's finest chefs.

It's all part of "Arts for the Parks," sponsored by the nonprofit Mendocino Area Parks Association (MAPA), Saturday, May 1, at Pentecost Hall, 822 Stewart St., Fort Bragg.

Free entry to the art show and silent auction from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., followed by a $25 per person indoor "Picnic in the Parks" (includes one glass of wine) and live auction from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.

Proceeds support Mendocino County's 17 magnificent state parks.

Tickets are available at www.MendoParks.org; Harvest Market, Fort Bragg; Out of This World, Mendocino; and Ford House Museum, Mendocino. For more information, call 707-937-4700.

More than 100 works of art by local artists will be featured, including fine drawings, paintings, photography, jewelry, sculpture, quilts and more. All are available for purchase via silent and live auctions.

A raffle for three works of art by local artists is being held in conjunction with this event. To view them, and to buy tickets visit www.MendoParks.org, then click "Arts for the Parks." Tickets may also be purchased by calling 707-937-4700, or onsite at "Picnic in the Parks" taking place at the "Arts for the Parks" event May 1.

"We bring together inspiring art, beautiful parks, fine food and great wines, in an awesome showcase," says MAPA volunteer Marilyn Boese. "Have fun, take a walk in the parks."

The 17 state parks in Mendocino County include some of the finest ocean views, redwood groves, beaches, ocean bluffs, lakeshore, trails and campgrounds in the world. Nonprofit MAPA funds natural and cultural history programs in these local state parks.

MAPA's educational mission is to inspire better understanding and appreciation of the plants and animals that also call this land their home, and to encourage protection of our parklands – and our planet.

For gifts, endowments, or contributions of stock or other non-cash items, please contact MAPA at 707-937-4700, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..