California Corner: Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

Paso Robles--The 11th annual Basil Festival Aug. 3 will feature pesto tasting and making, basil beer, music and a 5K “Romp Through the Vineyard.” Sycamore Natural Herb Farm, Highway 46 West. 11 a.m.-4 p.m. $2; 12 and younger free; $15 for 5K. (800) 576-5288, www.sycamorefarms.com.

Mammoth Lakes--Chill at the Festival of Beers & Bluesapalooza beginning Aug. 2 with the Acoustic Blues BBQ. On Aug. 3, the food, music and brew will flow outdoors at Sam’s Woods Site. 5:30-8:30 p.m. Aug. 2; 12:30-10 p.m. Aug. 3. Tickets $8-$34; 10 and younger free. (800) MAMMOTH (626-6684), www.mammothconcert.com.

Tracy--Being full of beans is a good thing at the California Dry Bean Festival Aug. 3-4. Festivities include a chili cook-off, car show, children’s tractor pull, arts and crafts. Downtown. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 3; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Aug. 4. Free. (209) 835-2131, www.tracychamber.org.

Yuba City--The Yuba-Sutter Fair July 31-Aug. 4 will feature livestock exhibits, food, music, carnival, petting zoo and dirt-cart races. 5:30 p.m.-midnight July 31-Aug. 1; 1 p.m.-midnight Aug. 2-4. $6; $4 for ages 6-11; 5 and younger free. (530) 674-1280, www.visityubasutter.com.

Ruth--Head north to Trinity County Aug. 3-4 for the Ruth Lake Summer Festival. Activities will include arts and crafts, music, food and homemade raft races. 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Aug. 3; 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Aug. 4. Free. (707) 574-6217, www.trinitycounty.com.

*

Schenden’s e-mail address is L[email protected].