California Corner

Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

LAGUNA BEACH--The 26th annual Sawdust Festival is off and running, continuing through Aug. 30 at 935 Laguna Canyon Road. Works by some 180 Laguna Beach artisans are showcased in the diverse arts and crafts fair. Artist demonstrations and live entertainment are featured, too. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sun.-Thurs.; 10 a.m.-11 p.m. Fri.-Sat. $4, general; $3, seniors 62 and over; free for children 12 and under. (714) 494-3030.

MENDOCINO--Tickets are still available for the Mendocino Music Festival, running Tuesday-July 25. Orchestral and chamber music concerts, jazz presentations, a children’s matinee program and performances of Ravel’s comic opera “L’Heure Espagnol” are staged in the festival tent in Mendocino Headlands State Park. Concerts are at 8 p.m. Tickets: $3-$25 each. (707) 937-2044.

SANTA CRUZ--The 15th annual Beach Street Revival celebrates the ‘50s and ‘60s with a festival and vintage car event on July 17-19. A classic rock ‘n’ roll dance, a car show, a twilight car cruise, car races, a barbecue and more are featured at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville. Noon-5 p.m. Fri. (races in evening); 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sat. (dance at night); 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Sun. $7, general; $3, seniors 60 and over; $1 kids under 12. (408) 438-1957.

GILROY--Save an appetite and a breath mint for the 14th annual Gilroy Garlic Festival, July 24-26. Follow the signs from Highway 101 to the parking area to catch a shuttle bus to the festival, located in a city park. A Garlic Food Fair with international offerings, arts and crafts, a children’s area, live entertainment and cooking demonstrations are featured from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Fri. and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sat. and Sun. General admission: $7, Fri.; $8, Sat. and Sun. Admission for seniors 62 and over, and children 6-12 is $2 all three days; free for kids under 6. (408) 842-1625.

COURTLAND--The 20th annual Pear Fair is from 9 a.m.-8 p.m. July 26 in this tiny Sacramento Valley community. Pear delicacies, an arts and crafts fair, a fun run, entertainment and pig races are featured on the grounds at Bates School, 20 miles south of Sacramento on Highway 160. Free admission; $2 parking. (916) 775-1053.

PLANNING AHEAD--Tickets are available for the 13th annual Santa Rosa DixieJazz Festival, Aug. 28-30. $40 for all three days; $15, Fri. only; $25, Sat. only; $10, Sun. only. Send requests and payments to: Santa Rosa DixieJazz Festival, P.O. Box 982, Kenwood, Calif., 95452. (707) 539-3494.