Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

SAN FRANCISCO--Chocolate pasta, chocolate tea and chocolate-dipped fortune cookies are among munchies at the 2nd Annual Chocolate Festival, noon-5 p.m. Saturday. Win your weight in chocolate as the grand prize in the chocolate ice cream-eating contest. Free admission; $5 for five samples. Proceeds benefit people who are HIV-positive or have AIDS. At Ghirardelli Square, 900 N. Point St.; telephone (415) 775-5500.

CARDIFF-BY-THE-SEA--Greek Festival ’97 will offer Greek cuisine and culture. The event, hosted by Sts. Constantine and Helen Greek Orthodox Church, will include music, dance performances and more. $2, children under 12 free. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday, 11 a.m.-9 p.m. Sept. 7 at 3459 Manchester Ave. (760) 942-0920.

CORONA DEL MAR--The annual Sandcastle and Sand Sculpture Contest will create a surf-side spectacle, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sept. 14 at Corona del Mar State Beach. About 40 eight-member teams will compete. Past creations included sea lions, alligators and a 6-foot-high castle. A jazz band will entertain, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free to spectators; contestant fees are $15-$50. (714) 729-4400.

SANTA ROSA--The first Tomato Festival here is expected to include 113 varieties for sampling. Also at the Sept. 13 event: a sale of tomato and vegetable art, author signings of cookbooks, live music and children’s activities. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Kendall-Jackson California Coast Wine Center, 5007 Fulton Road. $15 includes five food and three wine samples; children 12 and under free. Proceeds benefit a local school. (800) 769-3649.

ARCATA--Unique parades will highlight the North Country Fair. Dancers and percussionists will lead the Samba Parade, 3 p.m. Sept. 20. At the All Species Parade, 3 p.m. Sept. 21, festival-goers are invited to dress as their favorite animal. There will also be 200 craft and food booths and entertainers such as a gospel choir, African drum ensemble and a puppet show. 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Sept. 20, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Sept. 21 at Arcata Plaza, 8th and G streets. Free admission. (707) 822-5320.

Call listed phone numbers for directions.