California Corner : Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

FRESNO--Spicy food and fun are in store at the eighth annual Salsa Festival, Saturday and next Sunday at the outdoor Fulton Mall, off the Fresno Street exit from U.S. 99. Sample different versions of the beloved piquant sauce at the Homemakers’ Salsa Competition, featuring some 75 entrants. Live entertainment includes Latin jazz, Tex-Mex and mariachi music. 11 a.m.-8 p.m. Sat.; 11 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Sun. Free admission; $2 for a tasting ticket. (209) 454-2424.

PORTOLA--The 10th annual Feather River Railroad Days is set for Saturday and next Sunday in the city park on Gulling Street and at the Railroad Museum in the Union Pacific rail yards. The mountain city celebrates its iron-horse heritage with a parade on Saturday morning, followed by festivities in the park, including arts and crafts, music, horseshoe tournaments, a barbecue and an evening dance. At the museum both days: train rides and a model railroad display. Free. (916) 832-5564.

CARLSBAD--Olympic tennis wasn’t enough for you? The 1992 Mazda Tennis Classic is scheduled for Aug. 24-30 at La Costa Resort and Spa on Costa del Mar Road. Gabriela Sabatini and Jennifer Capriati are among the competitors in the women’s tournament. Aug. 24-26, sessions are at 11 a.m. and 7 p.m. ($12); Aug. 27, noon and 7 p.m. ($16); Aug. 28, noon and 7 p.m. ($20); Aug. 29, noon ($28); Aug. 30, 11 a.m. ($28). Individual tickets required for each session. (619) 438-5683.

COTATI--Live music from around the globe comes to Sonoma County at the second annual Cotati Accordion Festival in La Plaza Park, Aug. 29-30. Accordionists on two stages play polka, mariachi and zydeco, as well as music from Russia, France, Ireland and other lands. When you’re not dancing, you can stroll through the historical exhibit and the food and craft booths, or stop by the accordion jam session tent. The park is at West Sierra Avenue and the Old Redwood Highway. Free. (707) 664-1302.

BISHOP--The Millpond Music Festival is scheduled for Sept. 19-20 in Millpond Park, just outside Bishop. The first-time celebration of traditional American music includes Queen Ida and her Bon Temps Zydeco Band, Appalachian folk singer Mike Seeger, bluegrass players Laurie Lewis and her Grant Street Band, folk singer-storyteller Utah Phillips and autoharp virtuoso Bryan Bowers. $35 for both days; $20 for one. Bring picnics; campground adjacent. (800) 874-0669 or (619) 873-8014.