By Noel Smith
How truly fortunate we are here is Santa Cruz County to have such a variety of fun stuff to do and see. While the rest of the country has been sweltering, we have had our foggy, cool mornings and sunny, zephyrous afternoons to enjoy. Now is time for celebration as the summer ends!
67th Annual Begonia Festival
Over Labor Day weekend, September 2 – 5, we have the 67th Begonia Festival in Capitola by the sea. The Capitola Begonia Festival features fun activities that the whole family can enjoy, from a Sand Sculpture contest, a Fishing Derby, Row Boat races, and a Nautical Parade of begonia-laden oats traveling down Soquel Creek.
Join in on Children’s Art events, Horseshoes tournament, or decorate yourself with begonias! Watch as float builders rush to put the finishing touches on their parade entries. Watch a movie on the beach, or dance to the sounds of the band. All events are FREE!
34th Annual Capitola Art & Wine
If you like browsing though one of the most picturesque places on the planet looking for that perfect piece of art, decoration or jewelry, Capitola is the place to be. Try some of the best wine California has to offer from grapes grown in the Mountains of Santa Cruz, listen and dance to local entertainment and feast on gourmet offerings from artichokes to zucchini. Over 150 fine artists and 21 wineries will participate in this year’s Festival. Life can’t get any better!
It’s a fun week- end for the whole family all in charming Capitola Village overlooking the beautiful Monterey Bay.
The 35th Annual Santa Cruz Greek Festival
The festival is located at 223 Church Street, between Church and Center Streets, downtown Santa Cruz. You don’t have to spell or perfectly pronounce the delicious foods of the Mediterranean, just enjoy.
Santa Cruz County Fair
Helping to make September the most celebrated month of the year is the County Fair from September 14-18. This is when you get to see all those farm animals, equipment and livestock that is such a part the history of our region. The 4-H and the FFA youth get to show what they’ve learned and the county’s best apple pie is chosen.
If that is not exciting enough for you, there are the carnival rides, horse shows, professional entertainment and the food to help fill your day. Captain Jack is Back! Each year he’s a Big Hit as a shipwreck of fun returns to the Santa Cruz County Fair as the pirate Captain Jack Spareribs brings his act to the Fair. Rocking with orange pigtails, the kid’s pop-rock stage show “Twinkle Time” returns to the Santa Cruz County Fair. The Alaskan Racing Pigs return to the beautiful lawn near the livestock area, bringing cheering crowds to the Santa Cruz County Fair!
On Sunday afternoon September 18 the last day of the fair, the Charros share their passion for horses as the main Horse Show Arena at the Fairgrounds transforms itself from a competitive horsemanship arena into a performance venue. The traditional Charro show returns with a start time of 4 p.m.
•••
Truly, there is such a thing as a perfect ending to summer.