California Corner : Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

SAN RAFAEL--Danceable tunes of the Bayou are celebrated at the sixth annual Cajun and Zydeco Festival, Friday and Saturday at the Marin Civic Center Fairgrounds. Performers include Michael Doucet and Beausoleil, the Hackberry Ramblers, Joe Simien and Friends, and Nathan and the Zydeco Cha-Chas. Traditional Cajun and Creole foods add spice to the festival. Noon-7 p.m. both days; gates open at 11 a.m. Prices: $16.50 per day, general admission; $12.50 per day, students with ID and seniors; free for kids 12 and under. From U.S. 101, take the North San Pedro Road exit to Marin Center. (415) 386-8677.

TEMECULA--Your name is Mud at the 16th annual Great Temecula Tractor Race, Friday-Sunday at the Temecula Showgrounds. Some 100 tractors compete in the muddy affair, starting at 4 p.m. Fri. and 7 a.m. Sat.-Sun. Also featured: mud surfing, mud bogging (a mud obstacle course for everyone to try), pancake breakfasts, a Kids’ Faire, pig races, live country and Western music, and crafts and merchandise booths. $7 per day, general ($15 for all three days); $3 for kids 7-13; free for kids 6 and under. One mile west of the Winchester exit, off Interstate 15. (714) 676-4718 or (800) 800-4038.

SANTA CRUZ--Many of the Brussels sprouts growers in the nation’s sprout capital are Italian, and the Brussels Sprouts and Italian Heritage Festival celebrates the crop and the culture. Festivities are from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. Oct. 10-11 at the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, 400 Beach St. Highlights include the Ultimate Pasta Cook-Off and tastings; live Italian music; arts and crafts, and Brussels sprouts cuisine, including sprout water taffy, sprout pizza and chocolate-covered sprouts. Free. (408) 423-5590.

PETALUMA--Competitors from around the globe convene for the World Wrist Wrestling Championships at 1 p.m. Oct. 10 in the Petaluma Veterans Memorial Building, 1094 Petaluma Blvd. S. The event started in a local bar, and over the years has grown to attract international participants, including teams this year from Russia, Spain, Canada, Egypt and Germany. Wrist wrestlers need to register between 8 and 10 a.m. $25 for entrants, $10 for spectators. From U.S. 101 north, take the first Petaluma exit to Petaluma Boulevard. (707) 778-0210.

IDYLLWILD--The second annual California Tour South takes bike riders through the autumn splendor of the back country. The 200-mile ride, starting Oct. 17 in the mountain town of Idyllwild, ends Oct. 21 in downtown San Diego, after traveling through such places as Aguanga, Warner Hot Springs, the Anza Borrego Desert and Julian. $140 pays for camping, gear transport, hot showers, T-shirt, route directions and maps. A hotel package is available for non-campers. (800) 228-7041 or (916) 758-8782.