California Corner : Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

VISTA--Take a trip back in time at the Thrashing Bee and Antique Engine Show, 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m. today and next weekend, Oct. 24- 25, at the Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum, 2040 N. Santa Fe Ave. A gristmill and sawmill are among the old-fashioned machinery to be exhibited. Farmhouse demonstrations, without the benefit of electricity or running water, include cooking, cider pressing and butter churning. Also featured: a tractor parade at 1 p.m. daily; a

barbecue; hayrides; train rides; homemade crafts and baked goods, and live music, cloggers and square dancers. Admission: $5, general; free for kids under 15. (619) 941-1791.

GEYSERVILLE--Help this Sonoma County hamlet celebrate the harvest at the Fall Colors Festival, Oct. 24-25 in the downtown area. Saturday’s festivities include a wine tasting (6 p.m.), a barbecue (7 p.m.) and a dance (9 p.m.) in Grange Hall ($25). Sunday kicks off with a pancake breakfast in the firehouse, 7 a.m.-noon. A fair along Geyserville Avenue from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. features harvest contests, including the “most beautiful grape leaf” competition, kids’ activities, a flea market, art show and haunted house. Take U.S. 101 north to the Geyserville exit. (707) 857-3745.

DANVILLE--The Danville Art and Pumpkin Festival is from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Oct. 24-25 on Hartz Avenue, between Diablo Boulevard and School Street. Autumnal offerings include “Pumpkin Land,” with a carnival, pumpkin patch and pumpkin-carving events; arts and crafts; entertainment; gourmet foods, and California wines. Free. Interstate 5 north to Interstate 580 west, to Interstate 680 north; take the Diablo Boulevard exit. (415) 346-4561.

SAN DIEGO--Dracula’s castle, Frankenstein’s laboratory, a graveyard and a chilling cast of ghosts, ghouls, dragons and mummies await you at the 19th annual Haunted Museum, Oct. 24-31. The Halloween happening is 7-9:30 p.m. nightly at the Museum of Man, 1350 El Prado in Balboa Park. Refreshments and entertainment offered in California Plaza, in front of the museum. $4.50, general; $2, kids 12 and under. (619) 239-2001.

BRAWLEY--The cowboy spirit is alive and kicking at the Cattle Call Rodeo, Nov. 7-8 in the Cattle Call Arena. Celebrate the pioneer ambience and the cattle industry of Brawley at a host of weekend events in the downtown area, including: a free bluegrass festival (6 p.m., Nov. 6),; a street fair (5 p.m. Nov. 6; 8 a.m. Nov. 7); the Lions’ chuckwagon breakfast (5-10 a.m. Nov. 7), the Cattle Call Western Parade (9:45 a.m. Nov. 7), and the Elks’ barbecue (noon, Nov. 7-8 at the arena). Rodeos are at 2 and 7 p.m. Nov. 7, 2 p.m. Nov. 8. Seats are $6 and $9. Reserve seats now available. (619) 344-5206 or (619) 344-3160. Take Interstate 10 east to the California 86 turnoff near Indio, and drive south along the Salton Sea to Brawley.