California Corner : Festivals, Feasts & Fairs
GILROY--Mariachi and Peruvian music, folkloric dance and traditional foods are among the highlights at the Gilroy Hispanic Cultural Festival Saturday and next Sunday, 10 a.m.-7 p.m. The sixth annual event also includes Japanese traditions, with hands-on origami demonstrations, a bonsai exhibit and a tea ceremony. At Christmas Hill Park (follow signs from U.S. 101). Admission $5; free for children 12 and under. (408) 848-5780.
MAMMOTH LAKES--The 23rd annual Labor Day Arts and Crafts Festival is Sept. 5-7, 9 a.m.-6 p.m. About 80 booths in the North Village are filled with sculpture, glassware and other hand-crafted items, and international cuisine. Proceeds to the Mammoth Art Guild. (800) 367-6572.
GREENFIELD--Broccoli may not be the President’s favorite food, but folks in Greenfield love it. The ninth annual Greenfield Broccoli Festival, Sept. 5-6, features food booths, arts and crafts, children’s rides, live music and a parade on Main Street, Saturday at 10 a.m. Festivities are Saturday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m., and Sunday, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Greenfield Oak Park (Greenfield exit off U.S. 101). Admission $4; seniors and kids $2; free for children 6 and under. (408) 674-5240.
MANTECA--Plenty of bacchanalian fun is planned at the 10th annual Delicato Charity Grape Stomp on Sept. 6, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Stompers crush as much juice as they can in 90 seconds from a 25-pound lug of grapes. Also featured: oldies music, arts and crafts, food booths, wine tasting, winery tours, amateur winemaking competition and car show. Admission $3; seniors over 60 and children 12 and under $2 (extra fee for stomping). Delicato Vineyards, California 99 at French Camp Road. Proceeds benefit local charities. (209) 825-6213 or (209) 825-6212.
CHINO--A taste of the western Pyrenees is featured at the 25th annual Chino Basque Club Picnic on Sept. 6. A Basque Mass is celebrated at 10:30 a.m., followed by a steak barbecue at noon and a klika --with a Basque drum-and-bugle corps and costumed dancers--at 3:30 p.m. A lamb barbecue is at 6 p.m., a dance at 8 p.m. Chino Junior Fairgrounds on Central and Edison avenues. Admission $2; free for children under 12. Lunch and dinner are $10 each; $5 each for children under 12. (714) 628-9014 or (714) 628-6500.
SAN DIEGO--The eclectic Street Scene ‘92, Sept. 11-12, covers 18 blocks in downtown’s historic Gaslamp Quarter. Blues, gospel, Tex-Mex, rock and many other kinds of music are performed on 11 stages. Also featured: micro-brewery beer, wine, arts and crafts and Louisiana cuisine. Performers include Tower of Power, Toots and the Maytals, Joan Armatrading, Wayne Toups and Zydecajun, the Tom Tom Club and Asleep at the Wheel. Friday 5 p.m.-midnight and Saturday 4 p.m.-midnight. Advance tickets: $17 a day; $30 for both days. Tickets at the door: $20 a day. To order by mail, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope and a check or credit card number with expiration date to Rob Hagey Productions, 363 Fifth Ave., Suite B110, San Diego 92101. (619) 557-8487.