California Corner : Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

BLYTHE--Musicians strum, pick and fiddle a path to the sixth annual Colorado Country Music Festival, Jan. 21-24. The event, held at the Colorado River Country Fairgrounds, kicks off with “A Bluegrass Showdown” at 10 a.m. Jan. 21. Eight bands vie to qualify for the International Bluegrass Band of the Year competition, held in September in Kentucky. Festival competition in fiddle, banjo, mandolin, flat-pick guitar and other categories is 9:45 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 22 and 8:45 a.m.-5 p.m. Jan. 23-24. Advance tickets, per day: $5, general; $4, seniors; $2, kids; $1 more at the gate. A dance at 7 p.m. Jan. 23 is $12. Interstate 10 east to the Intake/U.S. 95 exit, north to Riverside Drive and turn right. (800) 445-0541 or (619) 922-8166.

HEALDSBURG--In a first-time event, 54 Sonoma County wineries join forces for a weekend of tastings, discussions, tours and demonstrations. During the Winter Wineland celebration, Jan. 22-24, local restaurants and inns will offer special rates, meals and tastings. Scheduled activities in the Russian River Wine Road area include talks on winemaking, estate tours, barrel samplings and trellising demonstrations. A $10 ticket is good for events 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday; Friday night events are separate. U.S. 101 north, take the Healdsburg exit; pick up a map and tasting glass at any tasting room in Healdsburg. (707) 433-6782; for lodging information, (800) 927-4667.

SAN DIEGO--Two special events commemorate the opening of the new downtown Museum of Contemporary Art, San Diego. The PreVIEW Dance Party, 8 p.m.-2 a.m. Jan. 29, features live jazz, rock and blues bands, and food from local restaurants. $25; free for museum members. A ribbon-cutting ceremony kicks off the festival at noon Jan. 30. Free. (619) 454-3541, ext. 107.

HOLTVILLE--Celebrate the glories of the crunchy vegetable at the 46th annual Holtville Carrot Festival, Jan. 30-Feb. 7. Activities take place downtown in the “Carrot Capital of the World.” A recipe contest is held all week in the Civic Center, with judging Feb. 5. A parade is 10 a.m. Feb. 6 on Fifth Street. Holt Park will host an all-day fair and rib cook-off on the weekend. Earlier in the week, there will be horse and livestock shows, a carnival, a pageant and a carrot-peeling contest. Interstate 10 east to Indio, take California 111 or California 86 south to I-8 east, then straight to the Orchard Road exit. (619) 356-2923.