Free First Friday Lunch Tour at MAH | Sept. 7 (noon)

Docents and guest artists lead in-depth discussions about current exhibitions.

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

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

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

Guided Walk at Elkhorn Slough | Sept. 13-14 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Elkhorn Slough Visitors Center
1700 Elkhorn Rd., Watsonville
831-728-5939, www.elkhornslough.org

Moonlight Dinner Train | Sept. 13 (6-11 p.m.)

Moonlight dinner, dancing, and train ride through a redwood forest lit by flashlight. Reservations recommended. For tickets contact Roaring Camp at 1-831-335-4484

Roaring Camp Railroad, Felton
Tickets/Info: 831-335-4484, www.roaringcamp.com.

Monterey Seabirds off-shore birding | Sep. 13 (7:30 a.m.-3 p.m.)

Fully guide off-shore tour to see migrating seabirds. $95. Advance reservations suggested.

831-375-4658, www.montereyseabirds.com

Monterey Seabirds off-shore spotting at albacore grounds | Sept. 14 (5:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.)

Fully guided birding adventure to off-shore albacore grounds. $135. Advance reservation required.

831-375-4658, www.montereyseabirds.com

Celebración del Día de la Independencia/Mexican Independence Day Celebration | Sept. 14

Various ceremonies and events.

Downtown Plaza and Main St, Watsonville
831-761-0861

Guided Walk at Elkhorn Slough | Sep. 20-21 (10 a.m.-1 p.m.)

Race Night at the Fair - Destruction Derby, Figure 8.

Elkhorn Slough Visitors Center
1700 Elkhorn Rd., Watsonville
831-728-5939, www.elkhornslough.org