California Corner: Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

Rancho Cucamonga-- Mission grapes planted more than 200 years ago were the precursor to the Grape Harvest Festival Oct. 4-6. Highlights will include Inland Valley wines, the Great Grape Bake-Off, arts and crafts, entertainment and food. Rancho Cucamonga Epicenter, Rochester Avenue. 6 p.m.-

midnight Oct. 4; noon-midnight Oct. 5; noon-5 p.m. Oct. 6. $3; 12 and younger free. (909) 987-1012, www.grapeharvestfestival.org.

Blue Lake--Seek out the best in Humboldt beers at the Hoptoberfest Oct. 5. Local ales, lagers, pilseners and stouts will be featured. Perigot Park. Noon-dusk. $15. (800) 346-3482, www.redwoodvisitor.org.

Hanford--Shine on, harvest moon, for the 23rd annual Chinese Moon Festival Oct. 5. Tour the 1893 Taoist temple (now a museum) or check out the lion dancers and taiko drummers. China Alley. Noon-

5 p.m. Free. (559) 582-4508.

Santa Maria--The Autumn Arts Grapes & Grains Festival Oct. 5 will feature wines and brews, food, entertainment, and a pumpkin patch and petting zoo. Civic Center, Cook and McClelland streets. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission free; wine and beer tasting, $20. (800) 331-3779, Ext. 815, www.santamaria.com.

Marysville--Mountain man James Beckwourth, who made a route through the Sierra, is celebrated at Beckwourth Frontier Days Oct. 5. There will be gold panning, music and vendors. D Street. 10 a.m.-

midnight. Free. (530) 743-

7217, www.beckwourth.org.

--Laurie K. Schenden

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Schenden’s e-mail address is Lkschenden@hotmail.com.