Cinco de Mayo Celebration | May 5 (11:30 a.m.- 5 p.m.)

Independence Day celebrations on Main St. include Mariachi bands, vendor booths, food, dancing and other activities. The Watsonville Youth Center has a program for teens (15-19 years). For details call 831-763-4091. Other Cinco de Mayo events information is available from Fiestas Patrias de Watsonville and La Alianza del valle Pajaro at 831-761-0861.

Downtown Plaza and Main St., Watsonville

UC Farm Spring Plant Sale | May 5-6 ( 10 a.m.-3/2 p.m.)

The biggest and best collection of organically grown flower, herb and vegetable starts, along with perennial landscape plants available in the region.

UC Santa Cruz, Santa Cruz
831-459-3240

Mountain Art Center Open House & Mother's Day Sale | May 12 (noon-6 p.m.)

Santa Cruz Mountain Art Center
9341 Mill Rd. Ben Lomond
831-336-3513, www.mountainartcenter.org

Art at the Beach | May 13 (10 a.m.-5 p.m.)

A select group of area artists display works at the Esplanade's outdoor gallery. Some will be demonstrating their craft with works in progress. This is a free event.

Esplanade Park, Capitola
www.ci.capitola.ca.us

IAB Taste for the Cure at Bargetto Winery | May 19 (4-7 p.m.)

The Institute for Applied Biomedicine welcomes visitors in an effort to help raise money for AIDS research. There is a wine tasting, gourmet food and live music in Bargetto's Cellars and Courtyard. Also, a silent & live auction featuring donated items from local retailers and artists. $20 advance tickets, $25 at the door.

3535 North Main St., Soquel
800-422-7438, www.bargetto.com

48th Annual Artichoke Festival | May 19-20 (10 a.m.-6 p.m.)

Parade, Agro Art event, music, children's activities, cooking demonstrations, foods, wine tasting, farmers market and much more.

Main Street, Castroville
831-633-2465, www.artichoke-festival.org

Mountain Wine Auction & Grand Tasting | May 20 (1-4 p.m.)

Taste fines wines and gourmet appetizer pairings. Held at exclusive Nestldown Estate. The private and lavish mountain-top Nestldown Estate and Gardens is the ideal venue for this extraordinary event. Sample wines from all award-wining Santa Cruz Mountain wineries and savor paired appetizers created by the region's most celebrated dining rooms. Auction items include rare wines, resort packages and overseas trips, private winemakers' dinners and much more. Tickets ($65) available online: www.scmwa.com

Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Assn.
831-685-8463, www.scmwa.com

Watsonville Fly-in and Air Show | May 25 - 27 (9 a.m.-7 p.m.)

The three day show is packed with aerial performers including Military Aircraft, Warbirds - B-17; Aerobatics and RC Model Flights. A pyrotechnic show will explode into the sky both nights. Other highlights include displays of hundreds of antique, neoclassic, war birds and experimental aircraft, and a classic car show. There are food and merchandise vendors. Discount tickets available at the event website.

Watsonville Airport, Freedom
831-763-5600, www.watsonvilleflyin.org