55th Annual Capitola Begonia Festival - Capitola Jungle Safari! | Aug. 31 - Sept. 3

Everyone is welcome to participate in all festival activities. Some events require advance registration and planning, as with the nautical parade. Supplies and equipment are provided for most events. Visit the festival website for details.

Friday, Aug. 31: "Capitola Goes To The Movies" begins at Dusk on the Beach.. Bring the family, a picnic dinner, chairs, blankets and we'll provide the popcorn.

Saturday, Sept. 1: Sand Sculpture Contest (8:30 a.m.-noon); Budding artists at the Esplanade (9 a.m.- Noon); Community Group Volleyball ( 1-5 p.m.); Concert in the Park (5-7 p.m.); and Float Construction Viewing (4-10 p.m.)

Sunday. Sep. 2: Horseshoe Tournament on the Sand (8 a.m.-finish); Chalk Art on the Seawall (9 a.m.-noon); Beach Blanket Begonias! (11 a.m.-noon); 54th Annual Nautical Parade (1-3 p.m.); and Concert in the Park (4-6 p.m.)

Mon. Sep. 3: Fishing Derby on the Wharf (6 a.m.- noon); Children's Art Event (11 a.m.-2 p.m.); and Rowboat Races on Soquel Creek (1 p.m.-finish)

Capitola Village
800-919-8155, www.begoniafestival.com

Santa Cruz Wharf Triathlon Clinic | Sept. 6 (8:30 a.m.)

Main Beach, Santa Cruz
831-459-3800, www.active.com

Capitola Art & Wine Festival | Sept. 6-7

There are more than 185 artists, 16 featured wineries, gourmet foods, entertainment from two stages throughout the day, children’s art area. Saturday beach-side concert (5-7 p.m.)., Sunday beach-side concert (3-5 p.m.) Featuring Desperado - The Premiere Eagles Tribute.

Capiotola Village
831-475-6522, www.capitolachamber.com

27th Greek Culture & Food Festival | Sept. 7 (11 a.m.- 6 p.m.)

Traditional music, dance and food. There are games and displays. Friday 5-11 p.m., Saturday 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sunday noon-8 p.m.

Church St. between Cedar & Center, Santa Cruz
705 Front Street, Santa Cruz
831-429-6500

Big Kahuna Traithalon | Sept. 7 (7 a.m.-3 p.m.)

The Big Kahuna is a long course triathlon consisting of a 1.2-mile swim, a 56-mile bike and a 13.1-mile run. The event starts and finishes near the historic Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk. The courses is almost entirely coastal with breathtaking views of the rugged California coast, lighthouses and a dramatic finish at the main stage of the Beach Boardwalk. Awards ceremonies begin promptly at 2 p.m.

Begins & ends at the Boardwalk
400 Beach Street, Santa Cruz
831-423-5590, www.firstwave-events.com/kahuna/

Santa Cruz County Fair | Sept. 9-14

An old-fashion county celebration with displays of home-crafted goods, hobbies, collectibles, art and photography. Other areas have service club projects, commercial vendors and there is a large horticulture section with commercial and amateur displays. The agricultural area has barns and paddocks with chickens, cows, sheep, goats, other farm animals and the horse arena. Throughout the fair grounds there are ongoing demonstrations, competitions, auctions and at the Agriculture History Museum, Yesterday’s Farm has historic equipment, other displays, demonstrations, and activities. Featured entertainment groups are found at several stage locations. Other highlights include an adult and a child carnival areas and an abundance of fair food that ranges from cotton candy to ethnic choices and various fresh grilled BBQ options. Open Tue-Fri, noon-11 p.m., Sat 10 a.m.-11 p.m., and Sun 10 a.m.- 9 p.m.

Santa Cruz County Fair Grounds, Watsonville
831-724-5671, www.santacruzcountryfair.com

Ag History at the County Fair | Sept. 9-14 (1-3 p.m.)

Yesterday’s Farm has various demonstrations that depict life on the farm. Activities range from farm equipment in use to sheep sheering and apple pie baking. Meet area farmers and learn about agriculture in the Pajaro Valley, past and present

2601 East Lake Ave. (Hwy 152), Watsonville
831-724-5898, www.aghistoryproject.org

53rd Santa Cruz Follies | Sept. 10-13

Santa Cruz Civic Auditorium
831-423-6640, www.baymoon.com

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

Fair Race: Ocean Late Models, 30 lap 4-bangers race

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

Mission Adobe Day | Sept. 13 (noon-4 p.m.)

Make your own hand-dipped candle, see outdoor cooking methods and make your own tortillas, shape an adobe brick, and hear tales of the past. This hands-on living history day gives visitors a chance to explore and connect with the history of Santa Cruz’s oldest structure, built by Native American labor during the waning days of Mission Santa Cruz's existence. Designed as native worker "family apartments", it is the only original of its kind in California today.

Santa Cruz Mission State Historical Park
144 School St., Santa Cruz
831-425-5849, www.santacruzstateparks.org