California Corner : Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

CLOVERDALE--Fiddle players from around the West rosin up the bow for the 18th annual Old-Time Fiddler Contest, Saturday at the Citrus Fairgrounds. The all-day affair starts at 10 a.m. Cloggers and other performers also entertain. $6, general; $3, kids under 12. U.S. 101 north to Cloverdale. (707) 894-2067.

SAN FRANCISCO--1993 (or 4691 on the Lunar Calendar) is the Year of the Rooster, and the Chinese Chamber of Commerce is celebrating it in a big way. Among the upcoming events: the Chinese New Year Kickoff, with a variety of cultural performances, at noon Jan. 30 in Union Square; the colorful Chinese New Year Parade starting at 6 p.m. Feb. 6 at Market and Second streets, and the Chinatown Community Street Fair, featuring Chinese food, culture and vendors, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 6-7 on Grant and Pacific avenues. Other happenings include a Children’s Kite Festival and Chinatown Carnival. Admission is free. (415) 982-3000 or (415) 982-3071.

PALM SPRINGS--Pasta meets country and Western music? “A Spaghetti Western,” the community’s 15th annual Italian Festival, offers Italian foods and country, Cajun and rock music, 5-10 p.m. Feb. 6 and noon-6 p.m. Feb. 7. Festivities are in Palm Springs Pavilion, Sunrise Park, Sunrise and Ramon streets. $5 per event; food and beverages not included. Interstate 10 east to California 111 south, left on Tahquitz Way to Sunrise, then right. (619) 329-4879.

AVILA BEACH--The International Festival of Champagne and Sparkling Wine bubbles over with activities, gourmet foods and sipping opportunities, Feb. 12-14. The fund-raiser for public radio station KCBX starts with a reception and dinner at 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12 at The Cliffs resort ($75). At the San Luis Bay Resort on Feb. 13, festivities include tastings, samples of local cuisine, a performance by the Civic Ballet of San Luis Obispo, and a champagne and wine auction. ($35 before Feb. 1; $40 after. Food not included.) At 10:30 a.m. Feb. 14 at The Cliffs, seminars on Champagne and sparkling wine are followed by brunch ($25). Weekend packages available. (805) 544-1285.