Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

YUCCA VALLEY--Spend Memorial Day weekend in the high desert at the 42nd annual Grubstake Days Celebration, beginning Thursday. Midway rides and games are scheduled 6 p.m.-midnight Thursday; 3 p.m.-1 a.m. Friday, and 10 a.m.-1 a.m. Saturday and next Sunday. Also featured: Rodeos at 7 p.m. Friday through next Sunday ($10), followed by country dances; a chili cook-off on Sunday morning, and horseshoe and tug-of-war competitions, all at 56711 Twentynine Palms Highway (California 62). The highway will also be the site of a parade at 10 a.m. Saturday and 10K, 5K and 2K runs on Sunday morning. (Registration at 6:30 a.m.) Interstate 10 east to California 62. (619) 365-6323.

GARDEN GROVE--”Strawberry All Stars” is the theme of the 35th annual Garden Grove Strawberry Festival, Memorial Day weekend. Activities, held at the Village Green, 12862 Euclid Ave., are 1-11:30 p.m. Friday; 10 a.m.-midnight Saturday; noon-11:30 p.m. next Sunday, and 10 a.m.-8:30 p.m. May 31. Carnival rides and games, arts, crafts and strawberry foods featured. A parade, featuring gymnasts Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner as grand marshals, begins at 10:30 a.m. Saturday at Chapman and Ninth streets. Also: the cutting of the world’s largest shortcake; a talent show, and the Red Head Round-up. Free. (714) 638-0981.

FRESNO--It’s the taco of the town. The fourth annual Great Taco Festival is June 4-6 at the downtown Fulton Mall, Fresno and Tulare streets. Among the activities: taco-eating and taco-making contests; mariachi and marimba bands and other entertainment, and children’s activities. 11 a.m.-6 p.m. daily. Free. (209) 454-2608.

SAN DIEGO--Fine arts and international cuisine are slated for the seventh annual La Jolla Festival of the Arts and Food Faire, June 5-6. More than 100 artists are featured. Food for the event is prepared by area restaurants. Hours are 9 a.m.-5 p.m. both days at the La Jolla Country Day School, 9490 Genessee Ave. $4 general, free for kids under 12. Interstate 5 south; left at the La Jolla Village Drive exit, then left again on Genessee. (619) 456-1268.

HALF MOON BAY--There are suds aplenty at the sixth annual Brew-Ha-Ha, 1-5 p.m. June 6. The event showcases beers from 25 California micro- breweries and includes a silent auction and live music. $17 in advance, $20 at the door; nondrinking designated drivers pay just $10. Admission includes food. The benefit for the Coastside Infant/Toddler Center is at the I.D.E.S. Hall, 735 Main St. California 1 north; right at the Kelly Avenue exit, then right again on Main Street. (415) 728-9262.