California Corner

SAN DIEGO--Join one of the oldest events honoring Martin Luther King Jr. on Saturday, Jan. 16. The Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity hopes to keep the civil rights leader’s ideals alive by gathering people from all walks of life for the 19th annual parade, beginning at 10 a.m. Bands, floats and drill teams will travel south from the county administration building on West Harbor Drive to Seaport Village. Free. (619) 264-0542.

CORONADO--If you like unusual bric-a-brac, check out Coronado’s Art-in-the-Park on Sunday, Jan. 17, held the first and third Sundays of each month. Painters, woodcarvers and crafters will show and sell their wares at Spreckels Park, on Orange Avenue between 6th and 7th streets. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. (800) 622-8300.

JOHNSVILLE--One of the first recorded ski races is said to have taken place in a mining camp not far from this Gold Country town in the mid-1800s. On Sunday, Jan. 17, skiers will re-create the event in the first race of the Long Board Revival Series (which continues Feb. 14 and March 14). Using extra-long skis, contestants will practice from 9 a.m.; races are noon-3 p.m. Plymouth Eureka Ski Bowl, a quarter-mile from town. Free to spectators. (530) 836-2317.

HOLTVILLE--See what’s up, Doc, at the 52nd annual Carrot Festival, Jan. 29-Feb. 7. This farming community’s celebration of one of its favorite crops includes a banquet ($17.50) and Carrot Queen crowning on Jan. 29; a horseshoe tournament Jan. 30 at noon; carrot-cooking contests Feb. 1-5; a carnival in Holt Park Feb. 3-7; a parade at 10 a.m. Feb. 6; arts and crafts 9 a.m.-dusk Feb. 6-7; and a rib cook-off Feb. 7. Free admission to most events. (760) 356-2923.

PALM SPRINGS--Explore the block-long Desert Arts Festival, Jan. 30-31. Artists from the western states will show and sell crafts and fine art in Frances Stevens Park, Alejo Road and North Palm Canyon Drive. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Free. (818) 709-2907.