18 South Bay Accent
CALENDAR
eighth annual Giant Race Half Marathon,
10K, 5K and Kids Race/Family Relay. The
event benefits Project Open Hand, a nonprofit
that provides nutritious meals to seniors and
the critically ill. Tickets $30- $110. AT&T
Park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco.
415/972-1881.
Monterey County Fair. Aug. 31-Sept. 4,
times vary. In addition to rousing family entertainment,
carnival rides, games, live music,
art exhibits and food, this beloved fair celebrates
Monterey County’s history and heritage,
from aquaculture to produce and wine. Tickets
$4-$25. Monterey County Fair and Event
Center, 2004 Fairground Road, Monterey.
831/372-5863.
SEPTEMBER
Capitola Begonia Festival. Sept. 1-4, times
vary. Don’t miss out on the final year of the
Capitola Begonia Festival, a four-day tradition
celebrating the begonia growing
and water festival history
of Capitola. This event features
a sand sculpture contest,
fishing derby, rowboat races
and much more. Brilliant
begonias are the focal point of
this event, and the gem of the
festival is the Nautical Parade
of begonia-covered floating
barges. Free. Capitola Village,
Capitola. 831/475-6522.
Millbrae Art and Wine Festival.
Sept. 2-3, 10 a.m. to 5
p.m. Let the good times roll at
the 47th annual Art and Wine
Festival of Millbrae. The festive
spirit and flavor of the Big Easy
take over Millbrae for a sunsplashed
Mardi Gras-style event
that includes live music, work by 250 artists
and craftspeople, food and drinks, a microbrew
tasting tent and tons of fun. Free. Broadway
and Meadow Glen Avenue, Millbrae.
650/697-7324.
Kings Mountain Art Fair. Sept. 2-4, 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. Situated amid a towering redwood
forest, visitors to this art fair will find
the works of 135 juried arts and craftspeople.
Their work ranges from fine art to handcrafted
wooden toys. But one of the most popular
visitor traditions is eating the humongous
chocolate chip cookies. Free. Kings Mountain
Community Center, 13889 Skyline Blvd.,
Woodside. 650/851-2710.
Ghirardelli Chocolate Festival. Sept. 9-10,
noon to 5 p.m. The annual Ghirardelli Chocolate
Festival is a family-friendly event where
attendees can sip and savor samples from local
wineries and gourmet dessert venues, learn
about the chocolate-making process, watch
chef demonstrations and witness the hilarious
“Earthquake” ice cream sundae-eating contest.
Tickets $20-$40. Ghirardelli Square, 900 N.
Luna Park Chalk Art Festival. Sept. 16, 10
a.m. to 5 p.m. This year marks the ninth anniversary
of this festival, which brings together
thousands of artists, art students and art lovers
from all cultural and artistic backgrounds.
Come see 250 pieces of diverse art, including
original works, classical re-creations, street
painting, 3D realistic works, cartoons and
more. Free. Backesto Park, 13th and Empire
streets, San Jose. 408/205-4287.
Santa Clara Art and Wine Festival. Sept.
16-17, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.
to 5 p.m. Sunday. The Santa Clara Art and
Wine Festival is held at picturesque Central
Park and features nearly 175 activity booths
and 25 community groups serve international
foods, fine wines and microbrewed beer,
while live entertainment on three stages and
the ever-popular Kids Kingdom make up this
always hoppin’ fall festival. Central Park Pavilion,
Santa Clara, 909 Kiely Blvd., Santa Clara.
408/615-3140.
Almaden Valley Art and Wine
Festival. Sept. 17, 10 a.m. to 6
p.m. Almaden Lake Park is the
backdrop for this popular San
Jose fair featuring lots of great
food, wine and a special area for
kids to play. All proceeds from
the festival are donated to nonprofit
organizations and schools
and also support merit-based
scholarships to deserving students.
Free. Almaden Lake
Park, 15652 Almaden Expressway,
San Jose.
Artistry in Fashion. Sept. 23,
10 a.m. to 4 p.m. This creative
event features dozens
of California designers who
gather to sell clothing and jewelry. This event
also highlights the work of Cañada College
Fashion Department students. This year’s special
guest is Sandra Betzina, Vogue pattern
designer and the “power” behind the “Power
Sewing” book series. Tickets $10. Cañada College,
4200 Farm Hill Blvd., Redwood City.
650/306-3370.
Taste of Morgan Hill. Sept. 23-24, 10 a.m.
to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday.
What’s not to love about this 28th annual
festival that boasts of gourmet food and fine
wines? But the fun doesn’t stop there. Come
enjoy the beer, music, art and a Kids’ Zone,
too. Free. Downtown Morgan Hill, Monterey
Road, between Dunne and Main avenues,
Morgan Hill. 408/779-9444.
Holistic Arts Fair. Sept. 23-24, 10 a.m. to 7
p.m. Discover today’s leading trends in visionary
arts, holistic health, human potential,
spiritual and psychic awareness and future
alternatives. Receive readings, healings and
guidance on the path to health and wholeness.
Experts in holistic fields will also offer lectures
and panels. Free. Community of Infinite Spirit,
1540 Hicks Ave., San Jose. 408/448-6726.
Monterey Scottish Games and
Celtic Festival, Aug. 5–6; Green Day,
Aug 5., Oakland Coliseum
Point St., San Francisco. 510/346-3126.
Mountain View Art & Wine Festival. Sept.
10-11, 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, 10 a.m.
to 6 p.m. Sunday. This vibrant multicultural
celebration features 600 professional artists
and craftspeople. Expect festive food and
drink, artisan specialty food purveyors, home
and garden exhibits and live music including
the new Saturday Sunset Concert featuring
the Bay’s best classic rock and roll band The
Houserockers. Free. Castro Street between El
Camino Real and Evelyn Avenue, Mountain
View. 650/968-8378.
Fiestas Patrías. Sept. 16, 4 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Celebrate an important patriotic holiday in
the Mexican culture at this fun family event.
Enjoy authentic Mexican food, a flag ceremony,
an arts and crafts area, ballet folklorico
dancing, live Mariachi music and more. Free.
Courthouse Square, 2200 Broadway St., Redwood
City. 650/780-7000.