California Corner : Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

SANTA BARBARA--”Wool See Ewe at the Fair” is the theme of the sixth annual Santa Barbara Fair and Exposition, April 27-May 1 at the Earl Warren Showgrounds, Las Positas Road at U.S. 101. Racing pigs, demonstrations, commercial and educational exhibits and a midway are among the highlights, 4-11 p.m. Wednesday-Thursday; 4 p.m.-midnight Friday; noon-midnight Saturday; noon-11 p.m. Sunday. (805) 687-0766.

AVALON--Knee-slappin’ two-steppin’ music fills the Casino Ballroom at the Catalina Island Country Music Festival, April 29-30. Festivities start at 7 p.m. Friday and noon Saturday. Featured groups: Lonesome Prairie, Thunderstruck, Lonnie Stevens and the Stampede, and Branscombe Richmond and the Renegade Posse. $15-$60. (310) 510-1520.

COSTA MESA--Young talent is celebrated at the 15th annual Youth Expo, April 29-May 1 at the Orange County Fair and Exposition Center, 88 Fair Drive. Crafts, photography, fine arts, a jazz competition, 4-H projects, athletics, the 39th annual Science and Engineering Fair and other activities: 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Friday-Saturday; 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. Free. (714) 708-FAIR. SAN LUIS OBISPO--Sidewalks become canvass- es at the third annual I Madonnari Italian StreetPainting Festival, April 30-May 1 in the courtyard of Mission San Luis Obispo de Tolosa (at Chorro and Monterey streets) and around the Mission Plaza area. Professional, amateur and child artists decorate the sidewalks with bright pastels, 11 a.m.-6 p.m. both days. Also offered: an Italian market, live music and storytellers. (805) 781-2777.

TEMECULA--The 1994 Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival is 7 a.m.-4 p.m. April 30-May 1 at Lake Skinner in Temecula Valley. About 50 hot-air balloons are launched at 7 a.m. each day, followed by wine tasting, live music, a kids’ fair, a classic car and street rod show, arts and crafts. $8, general; free for kids 9 and under. (Balloon rides and wine tasting extra.) (909) 676-4713.