Calendar of 1998 California Festivals

A few of the hundreds of fairs and festivals scheduled for the rest of the year:

MAY

7-10: DIXON MAY FAIR, Dixon

Central Valley. California’s oldest agricultural fair features agricultural and livestock displays, headliner entertainment, children’s activities and food. Telephone (707) 678-5529, fax (707) 678-4765.

7-11: SACRAMENTO COUNTY FAIR, Sacramento

Gold Country. Fair provides educational exhibits and entertainment for youth in a fun, family-oriented environment. Tel. (916) 263-2975, fax (916) 263-2973. Free.

9-10: CALICO SPRING FESTIVAL, Barstow

Desert. Bluegrass hootenanny features 1880s games, fiddle and banjo contests, clog dancing and music workshops. Tel. (800) TO-CALICO or (760) 254-2122, fax (760) 254-2047.

14-17: CALAVERAS COUNTY FAIR AND FROG JUMPING JUBILEE, Angels Camp

Gold Country. County fair features world-famous frog jumping contest, children’s parade, livestock and 4-H competition, art exhibits, pony express, cow milking, professional rodeo, carnival and demolition derby. Tel. (209) 736-2561, fax (209) 736-2476.

16-17: CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL, Oxnard

Central Coast. Festivities include strawberry foods, contests, music and arts and crafts. Tel. (805) 385-7578, fax (805) 486-2553.

16-17: HOT AIR BALLOON FESTIVAL, Sutter Creek

Gold Country. Hot air balloons ascend at dawn; evening festivities include balloon “glowing,” music and food. Tel. (800) 400-0305 or (209) 267-1344, fax (209) 267-9170. Free.

20-25: FIESTA DAYS, Vacaville

Central Valley. Carnival, pageant, talent competition, golf tournament, dart competition, pin~ata smash, diaper derby and essay contest; music, food and beer garden. Tel. (707) 448-4613, fax (707) 448-4630. Free.

21-25: HORNED TOAD DERBY DAYS, Coalinga

Central Valley. Event includes toad races, livestock, carnival, water fights, baseball tournament, arts and crafts and food. Tel. (800) 854-3885 or (209) 935-2948, fax (209) 935-9044.

21-25: MULE DAYS, Bishop

High Sierra. Nation’s largest mule show features mules competing in more than 100 events; western dances, barbecues, concerts and parade. Tel. (760) 872-4263.

22-25: SACRAMENTO JAZZ JUBILEE, Sacramento

Gold Country. Traditional jazz festival features more than 100 bands from around the globe. Tel. (916) 372-5277.

23-24: GREAT MONTEREY SQUID FESTIVAL, Monterey

Central Coast. Festival includes cooking demonstrations, displays, arts and crafts and continuous entertainment. Tel. (408) 649-6544, fax (408) 649-4124.

23-25: WEST COAST ANTIQUE RUN-IN AND AIR SHOW, Watsonville

Bay Area. Two-day air show features more than 600 restored airplanes; food, fun and children’s activities. Tel. (800) 833-3494 or (408) 425-1234, fax (408) 425-1260.

JUNE

5-6: WEST COAST ANTIQUE FLY-IN, Merced

Central Valley. Largest air show in the West with more than 1,000 aircraft on display. Tel. (209) 383-4632, fax (209) 383-5052.

6-7: ART AND WINE FESTIVAL, Sunnyvale

Bay Area. More than 500 artists and craftspeople, local wineries and microbreweries, aerospace exhibit, food, entertainment and children’s area. Tel. (408) 736-4971, fax (408) 736-1919. Free.

10-14: EL DORADO COUNTY FAIR, Placerville

Gold Country. Old-fashioned fair includes exhibits, produce sampling, carnival, horticulture, musical entertainment, brew fest, wine tastings and food. Tel. (530) 621-5860, fax (530) 621-6564.

13-14: BICYCLE CLASSIC, Nevada City

Gold Country. Prestigious bike race features top amateurs and professionals. Tel. (800) 655-NJOY or (530) 265-2692, fax (530) 265-3892.

13-14: MUSEUM OF MAN’S INDIAN FAIR, San Diego

San Diego County. Native American event features dancers representing dozens of local and regional tribes; arts and crafts, food, singing and storytelling. Tel. (619) 239-2001, fax (619) 239-2749.

13-14: ITALIAN STREET PAINTING FESTIVAL, San Rafael

Bay Area. More than 200 artists create chalk reproductions of old masterpieces and original works of art; entertainment and Italian delicacies. Tel. (415) 457-4878, fax (415) 457-4879. Free.

19-21: CRAWDAD FESTIVAL, Isleton

Gold Country. One of the world’s largest crayfish festivals features crawdad cook-off, parade and races; carnival, entertainment and Cajun food. Tel. (916) 777-5880, fax (916) 777-4330. Free.

19-21: RAILROAD DAYS, Dunsmuir

Shasta Cascades. Event features railroad displays, arts and crafts and softball tournament; train tour from Sacramento. Tel. (800) 386-7684 or (530) 235-2177, fax (530) 235-0911. Free.

27-28: SAN DIEGO SCOTTISH HIGHLAND GAMES, San Marcos

San Diego County. Scottish festivities include highland dancing, athletics, bag piping, drumming, sheep dog trials, entertainment, vendor displays and food. Tel. (619) 645-8080, fax (619) 565-6067.

JULY

3-5: FRONTIER DAYS, Willits

North Coast. 72nd annual rodeo features parade, barbecue and dance. Tel. (707) 459-5563, fax (707) 459-6617.

4: CLEARLAKE INTERNATIONAL WORM RACES, Clearlake

North Coast. Competitors bring their own worms or rent fully trained Clear Lake worms to compete in worm races. Tel. (800) 525-3743 or (707) 994-3600, fax (707) 994-6410. Free.

6-Aug. 29: FESTIVAL OF ARTS AND PAGEANT OF THE MASTERS, Laguna Beach

Orange County. Festival features art exhibit by more than 160 artists and craftspeople; pageant re-creates classical and contemporary artworks with live models, music and narration. This year’s theme is “Metropolis, Art of the World’s Great Capitals.” Tel. (800) 487-3378 or (714) 494-2685, fax (714) 494-9387.

10-12: PAUL BUNYAN MOUNTAIN FESTIVAL, Westwood

Shasta Cascades. Logging show, Paul Bunyan’s home tour, music, arts and crafts, parade, picnic and children’s carnival. Tel. (530) 256-2456, fax (530) 256-3539.

10-26: ORANGE COUNTY FAIR, Costa Mesa

Rodeo, livestock exhibitions, vendors, fiber art, handicraft displays and food. Tel. (714) 708-1543, fax (714) 641-1360.

1-19: CALIFORNIA RODEO, Salinas

Central Coast. Top PCRA rodeo professionals compete in steer wrestling, bull riding, calf roping and bareback and bronco riding; parade, concerts and barbecue. Tel. (800) 771-8807 or (408) 757-2951, fax (408) 757-5134.

18-19: SEAFOOD AND MUSIC FESTIVAL, Monterey

Central Coast. Festivities include blues, country rock and Reggae music; arts and crafts and seafood. Tel. (408) 655-8070, fax (408) 655-8072. Free.

18-Aug. 2: OLD MINERS DAYS, Big Bear Lake

Inland Empire. Old-time fair, chili cook-off, loggers jubilee, cowboy poetry, Miss Clementine contest and parade. Tel. (800) 4-Big Bear or (909) 866-4608.

24-26: GARLIC FESTIVAL, Gilroy.

Central Coast. 20th annual food fair features garlic dishes, wines, arts and crafts and entertainment. Tel. (408) 842-6436, fax (408) 842-6438.

25-26: FESTIVAL OF THE ARTS, Fremont

Bay Area. More than 700 arts and crafts booths; wine, beer and food vendors; auto show, entertainment and children’s activities. Tel. (510) 795-4781, fax (510) 795-2240. Free.

AUGUST

1-10: SONOMA COUNTY FAIR, Santa Rosa

North Coast. Fair features horse racing, flower show, farm animals, arts and crafts exhibits, entertainment and carnival. Tel. (707) 545-4200, fax (707) 573-9342.

1-2: SALSA FESTIVAL, Oxnard

Central Coast. Salsa-making contest, 5K run, arts and crafts, dancing, music and children’s carnival. Tel. (805) 483-4542. Free.

5-9: OLD SPANISH DAYS FIESTA, Santa Barbara

Central Coast. Grand parade, horse-drawn carriages, Spanish markets, carnival, rodeo, arts and crafts, dancing and variety shows. Tel. (800) 927-4688 or (805) 962-8101. Free.

7-9: SAN JOSE JAM FESTIVAL, San Jose

Bay Area. One of the largest free jazz festivals in the U.S. features Latin jazz, bebop, rhythm and blues, fusion and modern jazz. Tel. (408) 288-7557, fax (408) 288-7598. Free.

8: GREAT PETALUMA QUILT SHOW, Petaluma

North Coast. Quilt historians and artisans display hundreds of colorful quilts. Tel. (707) 763-0945. Free.

8-9: NATIVE AMERICAN CRAFT DAYS, Bridgeport

High Sierra. Festival features Native American dancing, demonstrations, arts and crafts and basket-weaving workshop. Tel. (760) 934-3342, fax (760) 934-3342. Free.

8-9: CABRILLO MUSIC, ART, FOOD AND WINE FESTIVAL, Santa Cruz

Bay Area. Fine arts and crafts festival includes international foods, music and wines. Tel. (800) 833-3494 or (408) 425-1234, fax (408) 425-1260. Free.

21-Sept. 7: CALIFORNIA STATE FAIR, Sacramento

Gold Country. Top-name entertainment, fireworks, county exhibits, livestock nursery, culinary delights, carnival rides, award-winning wines and microbrews; expanded Big Bear Frontier program. Tel. (916) 263-3000, fax (916) 236-3304.

29-30: BROCCOLI FESTIVAL, Greenfield

Central Coast. Array of broccoli delights includes soup, pizza and salads; carnival, entertainment and car shows. Tel. (408) 674-5240.

SEPTEMBER

3-7: EASTERN SIERRA TRI-COUNTY FAIR AND HOMECOMING RODEO, Bishop

High Sierra. Old-fashioned country fair features thousands of exhibits including quilts, agriculture, livestock, photography and arts and crafts; carnival, destruction derby, pig races, pony rides, petting zoo, horse shows and PRCA rodeo. Tel. (760) 873-3588, fax (760) 873-8874.

4-7: GOLD RUSH FESTIVAL, Sacramento

Gold Country. Enjoy life in 1849 with period street dramas, music, storytellers, merchandise and Gold Miners’ Ball. Tel. (916) 264-7777, fax (916) 264-7788.

4-8: PAUL BUNYAN DAYS, Fort Bragg

North Coast. Event includes fiddlers contest, logging show, fire department water fight, Belle of the Redwoods Dance, crafts fair and Paul Bunyan parade. Tel. (707) 964-8687. Free.

5-6: SAUSALITO ART FESTIVAL, Sausalito

Bay Area. Fine arts festival features more than 225 juried artists and 14,000 works of art; three stages of entertainment; food and wine. Tel. (415) 332-3555, fax (415) 332-0323.

11-13: VIVA MEXICO! San Francisco

Mexican Independence Day festival features two days of traditional music and folk dancing with children’s hands-on arts and crafts demonstrations. Tel. (415) 705-5500, fax (415) 981-8808. Free.

13: NEWPORT BEACH SANDCASTLE CONTEST, Newport Beach

Orange County. Features sandcastles and sand sculptures built by amateurs and professionals. Tel. (714) 729-4400, fax (714) 729-4417. Free.

17-20: ROUTE 66 RENDEZVOUS, San Bernardino

Inland Empire. Vintage car cruise and street fair commemorates the historic route used by Jedediah Smith; includes California Cruisin’, exhibits, poker run and entertainment. Tel. (800) TO-ATE-66 or (909) 889-3980, fax (909) 888-5998. Free.

18-20: MONTEREY JAZZ FESTIVAL, Monterey

Central Coast. One of the oldest jazz festivals in the world presents top-name entertainment performing on five stages. Tel. (800) 307-3378 or (408) 373-3366, fax (408) 373-0244.

19-21: FABULOUS FLASHBACK CLASSIC CAR SHOW, Ukiah

North Coast. More than 300 classic automobiles on display; oldies music, food, beverages and shopping. Tel. (707) 463-6729, fax (707) 462-2088. Free.

28-Oct. 4: WORLD GOLD PANNING CHAMPIONSHIPS AND GOLD RUSH DAYS, Coloma

Gold Country. More than 18 nations participate in living history events, world gold-panning competitions and gold-panning symposium; celebrities, demonstrations, merchant market, building tours, games and food. Tel. (530) 622-3470 or (916) 837-5785, fax (530) 622-3472.

OCTOBER

24: CALIFORNIA AVOCADO FESTIVAL, Carpinteria

Central Coast. Food, music, arts and crafts, flower exhibits and one of the world’s largest guacamole dips. Tel. (805) 684-4101, fax (805) 684-4104. Free.

2-4: SONOMA COUNTY HARVEST FESTIVAL, Santa Rosa

North Coast. Festivities include wine and gourmet food tasting, world championship grape stomp, jazz music, arts and crafts, haunted house, barnyard scramble and children’s activities. Tel. (707) 545-4203.

3: OLD TOWN BREWFEST, Sutter Creek

Gold Country. Event features more than 20 microbreweries; beer tasting, music and food. Tel. (800) 400-0305 or (209) 267-1344, fax (209) 267-9170.

3-4: MORRO BAY HARBOR FESTIVAL, Morro Bay

Central Coast. California Seafood Faire, wine-tasting, maritime hermitage, entertainment, arts and crafts and Kids’ Cove. Tel. (800) 366-6043 or (805) 772-1155, fax (805) 772-2107.

3-4: JOHNNY APPLESEED DAYS, Paradise

Shasta Cascades. Celebrate the apple harvest with music, apple pies, history exhibits and arts and crafts. Tel. (530) 877-9356, fax (530) 877-1865. Free.

5-6: ITALIAN FAMILY FESTIVAL, San Jose

Bay Area. Re-creation of an Italian village, three stages of entertainment, street dance, opera, boccie ball, contests, arts and crafts and authentic Italian food. Tel. (408) 293-7122, fax (408) 293-7154. Free.

10-11: OJAI STUDIO ARTISTS TOUR, Ojai

Central Coast. Visit the working studios, homes and gardens of more than 30 international and national artists. Tel. (805) 646-0429, fax (805) 646-8456.

17-18: LEMON FESTIVAL, Goleta

Central Coast. Family festivities include lemon pie-eating contest, entertainment, arts and crafts and farmer’s market. Tel. (805) 9674618, fax (805) 967-4615. Free.

17-18: ART AND PUMPKIN FESTIVAL, Half Moon Bay

Bay Area. Festivities include pumpkin carving, pie-eating contest, music, parade, arts and crafts and street performers. Tel. (650) 726-8380, fax (650) 726-8389. Free.

30-Nov. 1: HERITAGE DAYS PICKING AND FIDDLER’S CONTEST, California City

Desert. Old-time music festival includes bluegrass, Scottish and Irish music. Tel. (760) 373-8301, fax (760) 373-1414.

NOVEMBER

6-7: HOLIDAY FAIRE, Lucerne Valley

Inland Empire. Arts and crafts, living Nativity, miniature railroad rides, tractor show, food, caroling and quilting demonstrations. Tel. (760) 248-7924. Free.

7-8: DEATH VALLEY FALL FESTIVAL, Shoshone

Desert. Parade, backroads bike race, 4x4 caravan, Native American dancing and music, barbecue, magic show, Volksmarch, local crafts and gem and mineral show. Tel. (760) 852-4524, fax (760) 852-4414. Free.

8: GOLF CART PARADE, Palm Desert

Desert. Parade features decorated golf carts, bands and marching units. Tel. (800) 873-2428 or (760) 346-6111, fax (760) 346-3263. Free.

13-15: FINE ARTS FESTIVAL, Barstow

Desert. World-renown artists display their works; festival includes workshops, Native American dancers and primitive camp. Tel. (800) TO-CALICO or (760) 254-2122, fax (760) 254-2047.

20-28: BETHEL ISLAND 50TH ANNUAL FISH DERBY, Bethel Island

Bay Area. Striped bass and catfish fishing extravaganza; cash prizes, kids’ derby, fishing demonstrations, recipe contest and awards dinner. Tel. (510) 684-3220, fax (510) 684-0925.

21: MOUNTAIN MANDARIN FESTIVAL, Newcastle

Gold Country. Mandarin orange cuisine, recipe contest, demonstrations, arts and crafts, entertainment, children’s activities and fun. Tel. (916) 663-1918. Free.

22: DOO DAH PARADE, Pasadena

Eccentric parade features unique performing groups and artisan teams; includes wacky costumes and cars. Tel. (626) 795-9311, fax (626) 795-9656. Free.

27-28: PARADE OF LIGHTS, San Rafael

Bay Area. Holiday festival includes snow area and sledding; candlelight parade and carolers. Tel. (415) 925-9976, fax (415) 925-9954. Free.

28: SANTA’S STEAMBOAT ARRIVAL AND ANTIQUE WAGON PROCESSION, Petaluma

North Coast. Santa arrives on the Petaluma Queen steamboat; parade, antique wagons and decorated horse teams, Victorian and fairy-tale characters. Tel. (707) 769-0429 or (707) 762-2785. Free.

DECEMBER

3-7: STREETS OF BETHLEHEM, Salinas

Central Coast. True-to-life walking tour of the city of Bethlehem; music, choirs, performances and animal-petting corrals. Tel. (408) 422-9872. Free.

4-6: CELEBRATION OF CRAFTSWOMEN, San Francisco

Bay Area. Holiday arts and crafts fair features more than 280 craftswomen. Tel. (415) 252-8981, fax (415) 861-8969.

4,11,18: CORNISH CHRISTMAS, Grass Valley

Gold Country. Old-fashioned street fair features costumed vendors, food, Santa Claus, entertainment, carriage rides and music competition. Tel. (530) 272-8315, fax (530) 273-8696. Free.

4-5: LAMPLIGHT TOUR, Columbia

Gold Country. Guided evening tours of Gold Rush-era town; historic reenactments. Tel. (209) 536-1672.

5: LIGHTED CHRISTMAS PARADE, Redding

Shasta Cascades. Holiday parade features all-lighted entries including bands, floats, individuals, animals and automobiles. Tel. (800) 874-7562 or (530) 225-4100, fax (530) 225-4354. Free.

5-6: INTERNATIONAL TAMALE FESTIVAL, Indio

Desert. Festivities include 60 tamale vendors, parade, music, dancing, arts and crafts and entertainment; 5K and 10K run. Tel. (800) 44-INDIO or (760) 347-0676, fax (760) 347-6069. Free.

5-7: RUSSIAN RIVER HERITAGE CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION, Guerneville

North Coast. Period celebration features crafts fair, entertainment and Father Christmas. Tel. (707) 869-9000, fax (707) 869-9009. Free.

9, 16, 23: VICTORIAN CHRISTMAS, Nevada City

Gold Country. Town is decorated with thousands of tiny white lights; strolling musicians, hay rides, carolers, roasted chestnuts, bonfires, Santa Claus and vendors in period costume. Tel. (800) 655-NJOY or (530) 265-2692, fax (530) 265-3892. Free.

12: TRUCKER’S CHRISTMAS CONVOY, Eureka

North Coast. Big rigs decorated with thousands of twinkling lights parade through town; log cabins, trains, hand-carved scenes and carolers. Tel. (707) 442-5744. Free.

17-23: CHRISTMAS BOAT PARADE, Newport Beach

Orange County. More than 200 illuminated and decorated boats cruise the harbor. Tel. (800) 94-COAST or (714) 729-4400 or, fax (714) 729-4417. Free.

Source: California Trade and Commerce Agency, Division of Tourism