Large illuminated letters welcome visitors to the third annual Marysville Taco Festival on May 2 in downtown Marysville. Vendors, food trucks and live entertainment filled D Street throughout the afternoon and evening. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

MARYSVILLE, CA (MPG) - Warm sunshine and spring temperatures returned to the Sacramento Valley on May 2, bringing crowds to downtown Marysville as three community events converged in the city’s historic core.

Leading the festivities was the third annual Marysville Taco Festival, with vendors lining D Street from Fourth to First streets as residents and visitors explored downtown attractions and sampled tacos throughout the afternoon and evening.

The celebration flowed directly to the corner of D and First streets, where crowds gathered for Silver Dollar Saloon’s “One for the Road” celebration, marking the longtime restaurant’s final day of full-service operations. Customers packed the historic establishment, spilling onto First Street where an outdoor stage and beer garden transformed the area into a lively block party atmosphere.

Crowds stroll through downtown Marysville during the third annual Marysville Taco Festival on May 2. Food vendors, artisan booths and community events stretched along D Street from Fourth to First streets. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

“It’s definitely a bittersweet moment for us,” owner Joe Ferrie said. “It’s taken me a couple days to soak in all the love shown on Saturday night. So many stories. So many hugs. Simply impossible to put into words the impact that one place can have on so many lives.”

Ferrie praised his employees for helping carry the restaurant through its final days and said he was touched to see former staff members return to lend a helping hand throughout the evening.

Live entertainment was provided by Stevie Bogan and The Institute of Rock, while production, lighting and sound were handled by Adrian and Nate of Moon Tower Production Company along with Jeff Milani of Milani Sound and Stage Lighting Design.

“They took the majority of the planning out of my hands and allowed my family to truly enjoy the night,” Ferrie said.

Silver Dollar will now remain open for special events and Sunday brunches only.

A young attendee dressed in traditional attire enjoys a dessert during the Marysville Taco Festival on May 2 in downtown Marysville. Photo by Shamaya Sutton

Less than a block away at the corner of First and C streets, the AAUW Garden Tour made a stop at Stuart Gilchrist’s Whatnot Shop. The venue featured its historic rock and succulent garden, an art exhibit by Nancie Greene and access to Neva’s Place, a historic speakeasy tucked beneath the building.

“It’s quite the lovely day to be out and about,” one guest attending the tour remarked. “It’s good to see so much activity going on in Marysville.”

Together, the overlapping events created a festive atmosphere downtown, highlighting the continued energy and community spirit returning to Marysville’s historic district each spring.