Camellia city

The City of Trees, Tent City, the Emerald Valley—Sactown has a lot of nicknames, official or not. How about Camellia City of the World? Sacramento took the official title in 1920, and ever since then, has hosted annual springtime events during the peak camellia season, including the following:

The 87th annual Camellia Show, sponsored by the Camellia Society of Sacramento, happens at the Memorial Auditiorium. It features two days of camellia competitions, flower-arrangement displays, raffles and plant sales. Competitions will feature more than 50 trophy winners in different subcategories like reticulata and japonica, and varieties spanning from single bloom to five-bloom.

The Camellia International Dance Festival, sponsored by the Sacramento International Folk Dance and Arts Council and Sacramento State Unique Programs, happens in the Sacramento State University Union. The three-day event features dances from Ukraine, India, Serbia, Italy, Egypt, China, Ireland, Scotland, Austria and Romania, and music from Bulgaria and Croatia. Friday night’s opening celebration features a Ukranian dance performance and workshop by Irina and George Arabadji. Saturday’s events include two more workshops and then an evening dance party. Sunday is the main show, featuring 13 local dance troupes and an open dance in the University Union Ballroom.

The 87th annual Camellia Show happens Saturday, from 3 to 6 p.m., and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Registration for the competition will be held at the Memorial Auditorium on Saturday, from 7 to 10:30 a.m., 1515 J Street.

The Camellia International Dance Festival happens Friday, from 7 to 11 p.m.; Saturday, from 1 to 5 p.m. (two workshop events) and 7 to 11 p.m. (dance party); and Sunday, from 1 to 5 p.m. Tickets are $7 per event Friday and Saturday, or $25 for all four Friday and Saturday events. Tickets are $10 for Sunday’s show. All events are free for Sac State students and children under 18. Sacramento State University Union, 6000 J Street.