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

26th Greek Culture & Food Festival | Sept. 7-9

Traditional music, dance and food. There are games and displays.

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

UCSC Farm & Garden Fall Plant Sale | Sept. 7-8 ( noon-6 p.m. / 10 a.m.-2 p.m.)

Plant vegetable crops that will extend your gardening season and give perennials a good head start for next spring's blossoms. The region's best-suited varieties of organically grown winter vegetables and landscape plants are featured at the Fall Plant Sale.

UCSC Campus - Barn Theater Parking Lot
831-459-3240, zzyx.usc.edu/casfs

Capitola Art & Wine Festival | Sept. 8-9

There are more than 200 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.).

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

Mad Scientist Experiments | Sept. 9 (2-4 p.m.)

BBQ, games, crafts, face painting and educational presentations from community businesses, service groups and government. Free. All ages.

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Ben Lomond
831-454-7930, www.scparks.com

Santa Cruz County Fair | Sept. 11-16

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

Celebración del Día de la Independencia/Mexican Independence Day Celebration | Sept. 16 (Noon-5 p.m)

Various ceremonies and events.

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

27th California International Air Show | Sep. 28-30

Nonstop excitement and thrills. The event starts on Friday night with a spectacular display of aeronautics and fireworks. The Sat. and Sund. events highlights include the USMC Harrier "Jump Jet" Demonstration team, The Patriots Aerobatic Jet Team, Sean D. Tucker and the ORACLE Challenger Performance. There are displays of equipment and memorabilia, food and and much more.

Salinas Airport
888-845-7469, www.salinasairshow.com

Much Ado About String: Traditional Textiles | Sept. 30 (1-4 p.m.)

Learn about quilting, weaving, spinning, knitting, lace making, natural dying, braiding and other textile crafts. Free. All ages.

Quail Hollow Ranch County Park, Ben Lomond
831-454-7930, www.scparks.com