Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

SANTA BARBARA--The Santa Barbara Harbor Festival sets sail Saturday with activities that include a blessing of the fleet, free boat tours of the harbor and a marine life “touch tank” for kids. Vendors will sell such food as tri-tip and barbecued shark and musicians will perform. Free tours of a Navy destroyer also will be offered. Free admission. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. at Santa Barbara Harbor Marina on Cabrillo Boulevard, off U.S. 101. (805) 563-0003.

SANTA CRUZ--Wilder Ranch State Park, two miles north of the city off California 1, invites the public to pitch in at Saturday’s Spring Planting Day. Visitors can help plant the vegetable garden at the 4,000-acre state park, which includes a replica of a farm of about a century ago. There will demonstrations of quilting, blacksmithing and steam-tractor plowing. A bluegrass band will play, and there will be homemade ice cream for sale and hay wagon rides. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $6 per car. (408) 426-0505.

SUNSET BEACH--Marking Mother’s Day weekend is the 30th annual Sunset Beach Art Festival. About 200 vendors will sell pottery, jewelry, hand-painted hats and other items. Blues, jazz and country bands will perform. Children can concoct a gift for mom at a free crafts table. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and May 11 at the Sunset Beach Community Center patio, 12th and North Pacific streets. Free admission. (562) 592-2797.

CHOWCHILLA--The Chowchilla Madera County Fair, May 14 to 18, will feature a carnival, livestock exhibits, a pie-making contest and music. Other highlights will be a parade along Robertson Boulevard at 10 a.m. May 17 and food, arts and crafts vendors. At the Madera Chowchilla County Fairgrounds, 1000 S. 3rd St. May 14-15, 5-11 p.m.; May 16, noon-midnight; May 17, 10 a.m.-midnight; May 18, noon-11 p.m. $4 adults; $1, children 6-12; children 5 and under free. Carnival tickets are additional. (209) 665-3728.

IMPERIAL BEACH--The only thing hotter than the chili may be the jazz at the fourth annual Chili & Jazz Fest May 17 at Pier Plaza, on Seacoast Drive at Evergreen Avenue. About 40 contestants will prepare pots of chili from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Judging is at 3 p.m. Free admission; chili tasting tickets, 50 cents each. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (619) 423-8220.

Call listed phone numbers for directions.