Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

COSTA MESA--The Orange County Fair returns with a “We’re Goin’ Tropical” theme. A 1,000-ton sand sculpture will be created, gourd- and lei-making will be demonstrated, and there will be a Carmen Miranda hat competition. The fair will also have a carnival, livestock exhibits and nightly concerts (7 and 9 p.m.). Friday-July 27 at the Costa Mesa Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive; noon-midnight Monday-Wednesday, 10 a.m.-midnight Thursday-Sunday. $6 admission, $5 for those 55 and over, $2 children 6-12, under 6 free. (714) 708-3247.

SANTA BARBARA--The 10th annual French Festival, next Saturday and July 13, will mark Bastille Day weekend (Bastille Day is July 14.) Chefs will whip up crepes, cassoulet, escargot and other fare to sell. Belly dancers, opera singers, folk dancers and others will entertain. A Poodle Parade is at 5:30 p.m. July 13. 11 a.m.-7 p.m. at Oak Park, Alamar and Junipero streets. Free. (805) 564-7274.

SMITH RIVER--There will be amateur talent shows, music, crafts and food, but logging is the big draw at the Smith River Kiwanis Festival. A competition, 2-4 p.m. July 13, will include “hot saws,” slicing through logs with souped-up chain saws; “buck-sawing,” with teams using a manual saw; and ax throwing, in which contestants toss an ax about 50 feet toward a log with a hole in the middle that contains a can of beer. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, 8 a.m.-6 p.m. July 13. At the Ship Ashore resort grounds, 12400 U.S. 101 North. Free. (707) 487-3443.

BAKERSFIELD--For those in the holiday mood, it’s Christmas in July, a festival where arts, crafts and food booths are decorated for the holiday. Santa, wearing shorts, will help judge the watermelon-eating contest. 6-9 p.m. July 17 at 19th and I streets. Free. (805) 325-5892.

HOLLISTER--Wheels will be spinning at the July 19 Hollister Street Festival, which includes working model-train layouts, a bicycle stunt show, a display of classic cars plus music, clowns, storytellers and more. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. along San Benito Street, from 4th to South streets. Free. (408) 636-8406.

Call listed phone numbers for directions.