Festivals, feasts and fairs

California

Arcata

Oyster Festival: How do you call an oyster? With gusto and imagination if you want to compete in the oyster calling contest at the Arcata Bay Oyster Festival. This oyster capital of Humboldt County, tucked into the northwestern corner of the state among old-growth redwoods about 90 miles from the Oregon border, sheds its small-town shell June 19 at the peak of the oyster harvest season to celebrate with food, entertainment, wine and microbrews. Fresh oysters harvested from Arcata Bay oyster farms will surface in nearly every imaginable form, including raw and barbecued, in wraps and pizzas, in “an endless combination of sauces and spices,” says a spokesman. The festivities get underway at 10 a.m. and run until 6 p.m. at Arcata Plaza in the heart of downtown. Admission is free. Information: (707) 822-4500 or www.arcatamainstreet.com.

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Tuolumne

Lumber Jubilee: Logging trucks still rumble up California Highway 108 in the Sierra foothills, and residents still refer to those below as “flatlanders.” In a tradition that has endured nearly 60 years, flatlanders will be welcomed with burly open arms June 25-27 for the annual Lumber Jubilee. The event began as a celebration of the return of the Westside Mill after the Depression, but it’s a little fuzzy how many jubilees there actually have been. What is certain is that men and women will compete for prizes Saturday and Sunday in arm wrestling, ax throwing and sawing contests and duke it out while balancing atop a log. Other highlights include an equestrian parade on June 26 and a three-day carnival. Admission is free; the logging show is $5. Information: (209) 928-3848 or www.lumber-jubilee.com.

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Independence

Independence Day: Where better to celebrate the Fourth of July than in a town called Independence? The community, named for a military outpost established July 4, 1862, lies in the heart of Owens Valley, in the shadow of some of the state’s tallest mountain peaks. On Independence Day, patriotism will be abundant in the daylong festivities that begin with a 4K and a 10K walk/run, breakfast in Dehy Park, a parade down Highway 395, arts and crafts fair, pie and ice cream social, kids’ games, a barbecue and entertainment. A fireworks show caps off the day at dusk at the airport. Information: (760) 878-0084 or www.independence-ca.com.

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Gilroy

Garlic Festival: The pungent smell of garlic used to embarrass some locals, especially around the height of plant processing season in June and July. Dr. Rudy Melone thought residents should be proud of the hometown crop and even proposed a celebration. Twenty-six years later the Garlic Festival -- and the distinctive odor -- are still going strong. Enter garlic-breath heaven July 23-25 when the town hosts three days of cooking contests and demonstrations, children’s activities and entertainment and lots of food seasoned with -- what else? -- garlic. The festivities will take place among the trees and rolling hills of Christmas Hill Park, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. each day. Admission: $10; $5 for seniors and those 6-12. Information: (408) 842-1625, www.gilroygarlicfestival.com.

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Santa Barbara

Old Spanish Days: The days of the vaqueros and the great cattle ranches are still evident in the art, heart and architecture of the city that celebrates the 80th Old Spanish Days Fiesta from Aug. 4 to 8. The fiesta honors the 1800s rancho period when neighbors gathered for roundups (then referred to as rodeos), followed by a party. Festivities throughout town include a rodeo (Aug. 5-8), two Mexican marketplaces (street fairs), an equestrian parade (Aug. 6), arts and crafts and children’s activities. Information: (805) 962-8101 or www.oldspanishdays-fiesta.org.

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McCloud

Heritage Days: At four blocks long, downtown McCloud isn’t much to look at. But stand in the middle of Main Street and look up and you’ll see Mt. Shasta looming over the tiny foothill community like a majestic monument to Mother Nature. McCloud will honor its pioneers and logging history with Heritage Days on Aug. 21 and 22, especially meaningful since the mill closed last year. Main Street will close during the celebration to make way for antique logging displays, arts and crafts, food and entertainment. Hop aboard a historic open-air or dinner train to see more of the scenic mountain pass. Admission is free. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Information: (530) 964-3113 or www.mccloudchamber.com.

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Bodega Bay

Seafood, Art & Wine Festival: It has yet to supplant Alfred Hitchcock’s “The Birds” as Bodega Bay’s claim to fame, but the 10th annual Bodega Bay Seafood, Art & Wine Festival is making a respectable lunge for it. On Aug. 28 and 29, about 10,000 visitors are expected to flock to town, where Hitchcock filmed his horror classic more than 40 years ago, to dip their beaks into a variety of seafood, dozens of wines and microbrews, a juried arts and crafts fair, entertainment on three stages and, of course, the coastal view. Hours are 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 28 and 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 29 at Chanslor Ranch on California Highway 1. Admission: $8; 12 and younger free. Information: (707) 824-8717 or www.winecountryfestivals.com.

-- Laurie K. Schenden

California Events appears quarterly. Contact Laurie Schenden at lkschenden@hotmail.com.

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U.S.

Pennsylvania

Manufacturers Days: The sixth annual Manufacturers Days festival, June 16-19 in York County, gives vacationers an opportunity to see how chocolate and motorcycles, among other products, are made. Among the 20 factories offering free behind-the-scenes tours: Harley-Davidson, Hershey’s and Pfaltzgraff. The tours cover 250 years of industrial history in the York area. Information: (888) 858-9675 or www.factorytours.org.

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Washington, D.C.

Smithsonian Folklife Festival: The 38th annual Smithsonian Folklife Festival, June 23-27 and June 30-July 4 on the National Mall between 7th and 14th streets, will focus on three aspects of folk life: “Nuestra Musica: Music in Latino Culture” will feature dozens of musicians, instrument makers and dancers to explore historic and contemporary music: conjunto, salsa, mariachi and more. “Haiti: Freedom and Creativity From the Mountains to the Sea” will focus on Haitian music, foods, storytelling, arts and crafts including master stone carvers who are restoring the 19th century Citadel. “Water Ways: Past, Present and Future of Maritime Communities in the Mid-Atlantic” will showcase maritime workers and artisans: commercial fishermen, boat builders, waterfowl hunting guides, net makers, river pilots and ferry boat captains. Information: (202) 633-1000 or www.folklife.si.edu.

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Midwest

Grand Excursion: The Grand Excursion 2004 will re-create the 1854 train and steamboat expedition that focused the nation on America’s new Western frontier. The largest steamboat flotilla in more than a century will cruise the upper Mississippi River region from Davenport, Iowa, to Minneapolis-St. Paul, June 25-July 5. More than 50 towns and cities in four states will celebrate with festivals, parades and parties. A bike trek will follow the flotilla route, and an authentically restored steam locomotive will offer rides between towns on the route. Information: (866) 439-2004 or www.grandexcursion.com.

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Massachusetts

Harborfest: Boston Harborfest, July 1-5, is a patriotic-themed extravaganza of more than 200 events, including a reading of the Declaration of Independence from the balcony of the Old State House, a Boston Pops concert on the Fourth of July and fireworks over the Esplanade. Other events include walking tours of historic districts, musket demonstrations, harbor cruises, a lighthouse tour, street parties, pirate-themed treasure hunt, tall ships sailing and Chowderfest. Information: (617) 227-1528 or www.bostonharborfest.com.

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Wyoming

Frontier Days Rodeo: Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo, July 23-Aug. 1, will bring together more than 1,800 contestants competing for $1 million in prizes. Events include bull riding, bareback riding, saddle bronc riding and wild horse races. Side events will include a carnival, Old West town, parades, western art show, concerts (including Randy Travis, George Strait, ZZ Top) pancake breakfasts and chuck-wagon cook-offs. Information: (800) 227-6336 or www.cfdrodeo.com.

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Ohio

Twins Days: Twins Days Festival, planned Aug. 6-8 in Twinsburg, which is south of Cleveland, is one of the world’s largest gathering of twins and triplets, quads and more. One of the festival highlights is the Double Take Parade. Contests will reward the most alike, least alike and oldest. Also planned: a twin group photo and twin talent contests. Information: (330) 425-3652 or www.twinsdays.org.

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Iowa

State Fair: The Iowa State Fair -- the subject of a novel, three movies and a Broadway musical as well as the state’s largest tourist attraction -- turns 150 this year. The fair, Aug. 12-22 in Des Moines, features livestock shows, a reunion of state fair queens, butter sculptures (including a life-size cow), a Heritage Village that explores Iowa’s pioneer past, interactive agricultural experiences for kids, grandstand entertainment and plenty of food on a stick. Information: (800) 545-3247 or vwww.iowastatefair.org.

-- Ellen Melinkoff

U.S. Events appears quarterly. Ellen Melinkoff can be reached at ellenevent@aol.com.