Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

KERNVILLE--This town rolls back time for Whiskey Flat Days, Friday through next Monday in a reenactment of the Gold Rush era, with many residents and merchants dressing the part. The festival includes a parade at 11 a.m. Feb. 14 along Kernville Road and a rodeo beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday and next Sunday at McNally Rodeo Grounds, Scodie Road ($9, $4 ages 12 and under). There also will be costume and frog-jumping contests, live country music, a petting zoo and other activities at Riverside Park (on Kern River Drive) and Circle Park (on Kernville Road), 9 a.m.-dusk. Free. (800) 350-7393.

INDIO--The Riverside County Fair and National Date Festival, Friday through Feb. 22, celebrates the area’s date harvest with activities such as camel and ostrich rides ($2); musical concerts and a nightly play about Scheherazade (both included with admission); and arts and crafts vendors. There will be plenty of dates--for sale unadorned or in pies, shakes, muffins and other food--and cooking demonstrations. 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday-Thursday. $6, $5 over 55, $3 ages 5-12, under 5 free. (800) 811-3247.

SAN LUIS OBISPO--There will be a taste of New Orleans Feb. 21 at the annual Mardi Gras celebration, featuring a parade at 5:30 p.m. with colorfully costumed participants tossing beads and “doubloons.” A street fair, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. at Garden and Marsh streets, will offer Cajun food for sale, face painting, a children’s costume contest and parade at 11:30 a.m., a gumbo cookoff and more. Free. (805) 781-2777.

RIVERSIDE--The African American Cultural Heritage Parade and Expo begins at 10 a.m. Feb. 21 with bands, equestrians, drill teams and other entries marching along Magnolia Avenue. Afterward, there will be dance performances, a jazz trio and DJ; food; and African art and crafts for sale, noon-4 p.m. at City Hall, 3900 Main St. Free. (909) 788-7162.

SAN FRANCISCO--About 100,000 orchid blooms will be on display at the San Francisco Orchid Society’s Pacific Orchid Exposition, Feb. 27-March 1. The 46th annual event will include about 75 international vendors and exhibitors, flower tours and educational lectures. An opening benefit, 6-10 p.m. Feb. 27 ($25 per person), will feature a swing band, appetizers and wine tasting. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Feb. 28-March 1 ($10, $7 ages 12-18, under 12 free). (415) 546-9608.

Call listed phone numbers for directions.