California Corner Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

SAN FRANCISCO--Gyrate to jazz in venues all over town at the San Francisco Jazz Festival, Thursday, Oct. 29, to Nov. 8. A free opening-day Youth in Jazz show gets underway at noon in Justin Herman Plaza, Market Street and Embarcadero. Other highlights include a free outdoor concert featuring Poncho Sanchez at 1 p.m. Oct. 31 in Ghirardelli Square and free panel discussions on jazz-related topics. (415) 398-5655.

CALIFORNIA CITY--Pack a fiddle and prepare to jam at Heritage Days’ Picking and Fiddlers Contest, beginning at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30. On Saturday, Oct. 31, and Sunday, Nov. 1, festivities include arts and crafts, entertainment and children’s activities in Central Park, 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Also on Saturday: a 10 a.m. parade down California City Boulevard and fiddle contest finals at 7 p.m. Free. (800) 892-2007.

BARSTOW--Schoolkids, community groups and just about everyone else in town are expected to turn out for the 66th year of the Mardi Gras Parade along Route 66, Saturday, Oct. 31. Floats, bands and equestrians will begin the five-mile march from Barstow Road at 7 p.m. Free. (760) 256-8617.

HEALDSBURG--Prepare to make faces at the Pumpkin Festival and Certified Farmers Market on Oct. 31. Festivities include pumpkin carving, pumpkin car races, a baking session and a pumpkin-carrying contest. Last-minute shoppers will also find pumpkins for sale. Parking lot at North and Vine streets, 9 a.m.-noon. Free. (707) 431-1956.

CARLSBAD--Townspeople claim the Fall Village Faire is the biggest one-day street fair in California; with 850 food, arts and crafts and merchant vendors, it’s certainly a contender. Grand Avenue and surrounding streets will close to traffic for the Sunday, Nov. 1, event. 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Call for parking information. Free. (760) 931-8400.