It didn’t take a weather report or a look at the calendar to see that summer had arrived in Clayton on May 8.

It only took a stroll down Main Street on a sunny morning that began early with the opening of the Pacific Coast Farmers Market, continued with the second day of the Historical Society’s annual Garden Tour and finished up with the first of the summer concerts in the Grove.

Mayor Hank Stratford tossed out the first head of lettuce to kick off the opening of the Farmers Market. Shoppers looking for Mother’s Day gifts found armloads of fresh flowers and blooming orchids. California grown strawberries, cherries and veggies, local honey, and fresh baked breads and pastries all made their case for local and healthy eating.

The six local gardens on the Garden Tour saw a steady and enthusiastic stream of visitors all day. During the two-day event, more than 300 toured the rich variety of gardens – which ranged from all California native plantings in landscape designer Kelly Marshall’s Myrick Court home to the more formal grounds of Pete and Sheri Laurence’s Oakwood Circle hillside. The highlight of the tour was the 137-year-old Frank family farm on Mt. Zion. Cousins Charmetta Mann and Janet Easton, fourth- and fifth-generation descendants of a pioneering Clayton family, live in the “new” house built in 1921.

Charmetta, 70, has lived on the property all of her life. The grounds are rich with history – an old Studebaker wheelbarrow, a 70-year-old tricycle and her grandmother’s wringer washer are among the artifacts studding the yard. A 1930 Model A truck that once belonged to Janet’s aunt is parked in the driveway next to Charmetta’s 1957 Chevy station wagon.

The Garden Tour is the major fundraiser for the Clayton Historical Society and this year raised nearly $9,000 for the Clayton Museum

In the late afternoon, blankets and chairs began to appear on the lawns at the park as families staked off their territory for the first of the summer concert series. By the time the concert began at 6, a crowd of more than 1,000 had gathered to hear San Francisco band Aja Vu. Kids, singles and couples swayed to the classic rock sounds of Steely Dan, Sly and the Doobie Brothers.

This is the third year for the free concert series, which is sponsored by the city of Clayton, the Clayton Business and Community Association, Allied Waste and donations from the public. More than $900 was collected at the first concert. To donate to the concerts, send your check to the City of Clayton, 6000 Heritage Trail, Clayton, CA 94517.