Fundraising sales, an electrification fair, beer, and a goth fest!
It must be our lucky day! Alameda has two markets this weekend to help our furry friends. Island Cat Resources and Adoption’s 2025 Spring Fling fundraiser is set for Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4. On Sunday, animal-loving shopaholics and deal-hunters can double-dip the sales by heading to the Diggity Dog Spring Jewelry Sale for exciting accessories and to support Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter.
If warmer weather has you thinking about home upgrades, head over to the Home Electrification Fair on Saturday, May 3, to learn more about how to make the switch to electric—while cashing in on all the rebates. Unique wares and great music await attendees at The Gathering of the Goths on Saturday and Sunday aboard the USS Hornet. Then, on Sunday, celebrate National Homebrew Day with Alameda Big Brew Day at Dahoam1516 with beer and BBQ.
Home Electrification Fair
Saturday, May 3
Are you interested in electrification but not sure where to start? The City of Alameda is teaming up with Alameda Municipal Power and Community Action for a Sustainable Alameda (CASA) to host the Home Electrification Fair on Saturday, May 3, from 1 to 4 p.m. The event is at Faction Brewing, 2501 Monarch Street, so you can grab a local brew while you learn.
At the fair, chat with electrification pros to learn more about electrifying your home. Be sure to check out the rebates and incentives available so that you get the most bang for your buck. While you’re milling around the booths, enjoy live music by The Radioactives, a self-described ”old school soul and funk cover band.”
Admission to the fair is free, and fun prizes will be raffled off. Advance registration is not required, but the City of Alameda asks guests to RSVP online to help them get a more accurate estimate of attendance.
Alameda Big Brew Day
Saturday, May 3
Did you know that May 7 is National Homebrew Day? To ensure the day is properly recognized, the American Homebrewers Association started Big Brew, an organized event to celebrate beer across the country and beyond. Here on the island, you can participate by attending Alameda Big Brew Day on Saturday, May 3, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. at Dahoam1516, located at 1516 Lincoln Avenue.
At this hands-on, beginner-friendly brewing class, you’ll work in teams to brew your very own beer. You’ll be crafting a recipe based on a Pilsner using malt from Alameda’s very own Admiral Maltings. The day will also include an all-you-can-eat BBQ lunch! Please wear non-slip shoes and clothing you can brew in.
Dahoam1516 is a nonprofit school and club with a mission to “have fun and share the joy of brewing and cooking, with a uniquely Bavarian flare.” After Alameda Big Brew Day, they’ll finish making the beer and invite attendees back for a private “Pour Night.”
Spring Fling Fundraiser
Saturday, May 3 and Sunday, May 4
Get ready to shop for a cause—and cute little paws—at Island Cat Resources and Adoption’s (ICRA) 2025 Spring Fling fundraiser at the Harbor Bay Community Center, 3195 Mecartney Road. To shop the sale, stop by from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday, May 3, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 4. Admission is free.
“The Spring Fling will feature plants, garden decor, handmade treasures, jewelry for any budget, art, and collectibles,” states the event’s web page. “Throughout both days we will be holding a raffle for fantastic gift baskets.”
Your spring shopping spree will support ICRA’s lifesaving work with free-roaming and unowned cats in Alameda and Oakland. Since 1994, ICRA has spayed or neutered over 22,000 cats. When possible, cats and kittens are put into a foster program and adopted into loving families. ICRA’s Garden Cat program even matches extremely shy outdoor kitties with loving and patient homes to roam. Check out the website for ways to get involved, and invite your friends and family to the Spring Fling!
The Gathering of the Goths
Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4
The USS Hornet hosts a lot of exciting events, and this weekend they’re at it again! Grab your garb for the Bay Area’s annual World Goth Day festival, the Gathering of the Goths on Saturday, May 3, and Sunday, May 4th, aboard the Hornet, 707 West Hornet Avenue.
The weekend is packed with festivities, and several kinds of tickets are available depending on which events you’d like to attend. All tickets will ensure access to the Menagerie Oddities Market, which includes a curated lineup of 60 vendors, live performers, a fashion show, food trucks, a “Poison & Elixir Bar,” and a hangout space called The Dark Refuge. Tickets that include the full festival will grant access to live music and DJs at the Main Stage.
Ticket prices range from $28.52 for access to the market, to $135.23 for an All Access Festival Pass. This event is all ages, and kids 5 and under are free. The concert and market areas are ADA accessible, but some areas of the ship are not. ADA entry is via a scissor lift.
Spring Jewelry Sale
Sunday, May 4
Once you’ve checked out the ICRA Spring Fling, head over to the Spring Jewelry Sale benefitting Friends of the Alameda Animal Shelter (FAAS). It’s set for Sunday, May 4, from noon until 5 p.m., at the Diggity Dog, 649 Pacific Avenue.
FAAS promises a “Pursepalooza” at the sale, spotlighting a huge selection of both vegan and leather purses. Shop a variety of jewelry from brand new costume pieces to jewelry made with precious metal and stones. Homemade treats and marmalade will be available as well.
Starting at noon, doors open for free general admission. 100% of the proceeds from the sale will support the animal shelter. A few parking spots reserved for the Diggity Dog will be marked in the store’s parking lot. FAAS asks drivers to avoid spots marked for East Ocean Seafood Restaurant.
What else is going on in Alameda?
All these events and more, in Alameda and beyond, are always posted on our online Events Calendar. Post yours, too, for free!
Amanda Laird is the Content Manager and Events Editor of the Alameda Post. Her writing is collected at AlamedaPost.com/Amanda-Laird. Reach her at [email protected].
