Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

VACAVILLE--Celebrate the beloved pungent bulb at the Vacaville Onion Festival, Sept. 7-8. The 14th annual event features onion delicacies, cooking demonstrations and contests, arts and crafts, and live entertainment. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday at Pena Adobe Park, off Interstate 80 at the Lagoon Valley exit. $5, general; $3, seniors 55 and older and kids to 14. (707) 448-4613.

NEVADA CITY--This community’s 30th annual tribute to the Constitution is Sept. 7-8. Highlights of the event are the Constitution Day Parade, 2 p.m. Sunday on Broad Street, preceded by a reenactment of the signing of the U.S. Constitution at 1:30 p.m. Civil War battle portrayals are scheduled for 1 and 4 p.m. Saturday and 10 a.m. Sunday in Pioneer Park. For information, call (800) 655-NJOY.

PORTERVILLE--Another historical celebration is in store at the Butterfield Stage Days, Sept. 7-8 in Bartlett Park. This first-time event, held all day both days, features a dance and barbecue, wagon train ride, cowboy poetry, Western crafts and demonstrations, old-time fiddlers and a Dutch oven cook-off. (209) 784-7502.

SANTA BARBARA--A showcase of this area’s culinary bounty awaits at the 15th annual Taste of the Town, noon-3 p.m. Sept. 8. Taste the creations of area restaurants and wineries at this benefit for the Arthritis Foundation, held in the gardens of Riviera Park Research and Communications Center, 2030 Alameda Padre Serra. Reservations recommended. $35 in advance; $40 at the door. (805) 687-1592.

SOLVANG--Tickets are available for the sixth annual Celebration of Harvest, Oct. 12 at Flag Is Up Farms. The outdoor wine and food tasting and silent auction, sponsored by the Santa Barbara County Vintners’ Assn., features wines from 35 wineries and foods prepared with locally grown produce by area chefs. Tickets are $60 and must be purchased in advance. (800) 218-0881.

Call listed phone numbers for directions.