40th Harvest Festival at the Farm | Oct. 6 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Don't miss this annual event. There is music, food, apple tasting, an apple pie bake-off, garden talks, hay rides, kids' events, tours, displays by local farmers, chefs, and community groups make this a great event for adults and kids. $5. entry fee.

UCSC Campus - Farm and Garden
831-459-3240, zzyx.usc.edu/casfs

Family Art Saturday at MAH | Oct. 6 (1-3 p.m.)

Special hands-on art activities for families on the first Saturday of each month. The museum is open Tue-Sun, 11 a.m.-5 p.m.. Its store, located in the street front octagon building, is open Tue-Sat, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. and Sun, noon-5 p.m.

Santa Cruz Museum of Art & History
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-429-1964, www.santacruzmah.org

UCSC Farm and Garden Harvest Festival | Oct 7 (11 a.m.-5 p.m.)

Farmer's market and plant sale. There's food, entertainment, apple pie bake off and activities for kids.

1156 High St., UCSC Farm
831-459-3240, www.ucsc.edu/casfs

SuperKid Traiatholon for kids age 7 and older. | Oct. 7 (Times by age group)

Swim, bike ride and run - with no in-between rest periods. Length of events vary with age and ability of participant groupings. Registration fee: $35 pre Sept. 1, $40 after. Parents required to sign a USAT form at registration. Participant ages: 7 and older.

Simpkins Swim Center, Live Oak
831-419-0883, www.scparks.com (Registration: www.sktri.com)

Seaside Crafts at the Seymour Center | Oct. 7 (1-3 p.m.)

Create fun crafts that feature the cool creatures of the tidepools. Make a seastar suncatcher, or create your own sea anemone! There are activity sheets, scavenger hunts, and a take home souvenir of your day.

Seymour Marine Discovery Center
End of Delaware Avenue, Santa Cruz
831-459-3800, seymourcenter.ucsc.edu

Santa Cruz Mountains Winemakers Wednesday | Oct. 10 (5-8 p.m.)

Two to four winemakers pour tastings in the Rock Room Lounge. Featured wines sold at the bar and in the dining room are priced at 50% off.

Shadowbook Restaurant, Capitola
Winemaker presentation and tasting. Special price/service in dining room.
Santa Cruz Mountain Winegrowers Assn.
831-685-8463, www.scmwa.com

Car Races at Ocean Speedway | Oct. 12-13 (Gate 4:30 p.m. Race 6 p.m.)

American Stocks, Micro 600, Ocean Late Models, Dwarf Cars, Figure 8 (final points night).

Santa Cruz Country Fairgrounds
2601 E. Lake Ave, Watsonville
831-476-9466, www.oceanspeedway.com

Harvest Fair | Oct. 13-14

Celebrate Harvest Time and Halloween with scarecrow building and pumpkin decorating contests. Ride the Steam Train. B.A.G.G.E.R.S. display antique gas-powered engines. Crafts and fun activities for kids!

Roaring Camp, Felton
831-335-4484, www.roaringcamp.com

Thunderbirds on the Wharf | Oct 13 (9 a.m.- 3 p.m.)

From the classic T-birds to latest models, these distinctive cars gather at the wharf and cruise through town.

Santa Cruz Municipal Wharf
831-420-5273, www.santacruzwharf.com

21st Santa Cruz County Open Studios | Oct. 13-14 (11 a.m.-6 p.m.)

A juried collection of 275 professional artists who work in various mediums participate in this event. All participants open their studios to visitors and offer an opportunity to meet and discuss the scope of their talents. The Open Studio Guide/calendar offers a thumb-nail image of each artist's work and maps to help in locating the studio sites. Refreshments are served at most locations.

Purchase the Open Studios guide to 275 professional artists/studios from various retail area stores and shops, or from:
Santa Cruz County Cultural Council
2400 Chanticleer Ave., Ste G, Santa Cruz
831-475-9600, www.ccscc.org