The week ahead in Orange County

Today

Election Festival: Laguna Beach will hold an election festival from noon to 4 p.m. at the Laguna Beach High School quad. Participants can meet candidates from the national, state and local level and representatives from more than 40 public interest and political organizations. Free. 625 Park Ave. Information: (949) 494-9928.

Pet Trek: The Irvine Animal Care Center will hold Pet Trek 2004 to benefit homeless pets in the city. The event will include a 3-kilometer walk for people and their dogs and dog-human look-alike contest. Registration at 8 a.m. $25 per family. San Diego Creek Channel trail adjacent to the Irvine Civic Center. Information: (949) 724-7745 or www.irvineshelter.org.

Character Counts: Sheriff Michael S. Carona and San Clemente present the Character Counts Jamboree, focusing on improving the character of today’s youth. The event will include children’s performances, food, games and displays geared toward character education. Free. 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Max Berg Plaza Park, 1100 Calle Puente. Information: (949) 361-8368 or www.charactercounts.org.

Tiller Days: The Tustin Tiller Days will be held at Columbus Tustin Park. This event celebrates Orange County’s agricultural heritage and will feature a parade, carnival, rides, food and entertainment. 10 a.m. to 11 p.m., and 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sunday. Columbus Tustin Park, Prospect Avenue and Irvine Boulevard. Information: (714) 573-3326 .

Persian Festival: The Network of Iranian-American Professionals of Orange County will hold the 9th annual Mehregan, the Persian Harvest Festival. The festival will celebrate the Persian culture with music, dance, art, food and costumes. Today and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. Adult tickets are $20/day pass or $30/ two-day pass; children 10 and under free. Orange County Fair & Exposition Center, 88 Fair Dr., Costa Mesa. Information: (949) 851-3993 or www.nipoc.org.

Sunday

Burn Out Ride: Motorcyclists will participate in the Burn Out Poker Run benefiting the Orange County Burn Assn. The event will include a 50-mile motorcycle tour of Orange County firehouses and conclude with a party at the Harley-Davidson of Anaheim dealership. 9 a.m. $25 per driver, $10 for each additional rider. 200 S. Manchester Ave., Orange. Information: (714) 456-8700 or

www.ucihealth.com.

Duck Race: Thousands of rubber ducks will race around the quarter mile Lazy River at Wild Rivers Waterpark in the annual Mighty Rubber Ducky Derby. Participants may “adopt” a duck for $10. Grand prize will be a 2004 Toyota Scion. Proceeds benefit the Children’s Bureau, which provides treatment and prevention of child abuse and neglect. 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., race at 1 p.m. Wild Rivers Waterpark. 8770 Irvine Center Dr., Irvine. Information: (714) 517-1900 ext. 678 or

www.duckyderbyoc.com.

Wednesday

Crystal Cove: Laura Davick of Crystal Cove Alliance will speak on “Crystal Cove: A Piece of Corona del Mar History.” 7:30 p.m. Sherman Library and Gardens, 2647 E. Coast Highway, Corona del Mar. Information: (949) 673-2261.

Thursday

Pumpkin Auction: The Family Violence Project’s Painted Pumpkin Auction at Madison Square and Garden Cafe is set from 6 to 9 p.m. Free. 320 N. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach. Information: (714) 619-0255 or www.thefamilyviolenceproject.org.

Friday

Storytelling Festival: San Juan Capistrano will hold its annual Storytelling Festival Friday and Oct. 9 in Historic Town Center Park. Friday, 7:30 to 10:30 p.m. Oct. 9, 8:30 a.m. to 10:15 p.m. $3-$12. 31806 El Camino Real. Information: (949) 768-1916 or www.storyfestival.com.

Oct. 9

Open House: The Garden Grove Public Works Department will have an open house at the Municipal Service Center. Families can enjoy games, activities, prizes, food and entertainment. Free. 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. 13802 Newhope St., Garden Grove. Information: (714) 741-5524.

*

Source: The Orange County calendar is compiled by Philip Le and Jessica Zuchero. Submit items two weeks in advance to ocdesk@latimes.com or by fax to (714) 966-7711.

Los Angeles Times