Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

BORREGO SPRINGS--The ninth annual Borrego Springs Grapefruit Festival, next Saturday and Sunday,, features a classic car show, music, arts and crafts, games for children, golf, horseshoe and tennis tournaments, a liars’ contest and grapefruit for sale. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Christmas Circle, downtown. Free. (760) 767-5555.

PALM DESERT--The inaugural Palm Desert Dance Under the Stars Choreography Festival starts next Saturday at 5 p.m. Several of the Southwest’s top choreographers will compete for a cash prize, and dancers from the San Diego Ballet and several universities will perform. Civic Center Park Amphitheater, 43900 San Pablo. Free. (760) 773-3077 or (760) 837-0254 (voice mail).

CORONADO--The 73rd annual Flower Show and sale sprouts with events, 8 a.m-5:30 p.m. April 18, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 19. $2, $1 children under 12. Book fair, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. both days. Free. Spreckels Park, Orange Avenue between 6th and 7th St. Car show, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. April 19. Isabella Avenue and Park Place. Free. (800) 622-8300.

KERNVILLE-- The Kern River Festival ’98 white-water celebration features an Olympic kayak slalom, a wild water race, a kayak rodeo and more. The events, sanctioned by the American Canoe Assn., determine national rankings. 1-5 p.m. April 17, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 18, 9 a.m.-2 p.m. April 19. Riverside Park. Spectators free. (805) 872-4424.

PARADISE--Commemorate the finding of a 54-pound gold nugget on Paradise Ridge in 1859 at Gold Nugget Days, April 25-26. Events on April 25: a noon parade, gold panning, blacksmithing, a carnival, craft fair and barbecue. Recreation Park. Free. Dance at Gold Nugget Museum, 7:30-11:30 p.m. $5. Also, music concerts on the museum grounds, April 26, noon-4 p.m. $2. (530) 872-8722.

Call listed phone numbers for directions.