Saturday, Aug. 24
Special events
Aldina Charity Chili Cook-Off
The Aldina Charity Chili Cook-Off returns for its sixth year at 713 E Lake Ave, Watsonville, from 1-4 p.m. Free admission. Face painting, live music, a photo booth and more. All proceeds raised go toward the charities that the cooks sponsor. Not only does the money help, but this event is also meant to celebrate the great work these organizations do for our community. For information: aldinacharitychilicookoff.com.
Tequila & Taco Music Festival
Join us for two days of fun in the sun at San Lorenzo Park in Santa Cruz on Saturday and Sunday. Saturday will showcase top-shelf Tequilas sampling, while you indulge gourmet tacos. Enjoy live music, margaritas, craft beer and art vendors in the park. Tequila Sampling: 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Sunday Funday is Mas Margaritas. Bring the family and enjoy a sunny summer afternoon, sipping on an assortment of margaritas and eating delicious tacos, all while enjoying a great music lineup. There is no Tequila Sampling on Sunday. For information: tequilaandtacomusicfestival.com.
Testicle Festival
The Santa Cruz County Farm Bureau Young Farmers & Ranchers and Agri-Culture will again host the annual Testicle Festival fundraiser from 3-7 p.m. at Estrada Deer Camp, 194 Hazel Dell Rd., Watsonville. The group will be serving up USDA inspected bull testicles (or “Rocky Mountain Oysters” as they are nicknamed), as well as chicken salads, bread and dessert. Tickets are $50 for adults and $20 for ages 5-12. (Kids under 5 are free.) Beer and wine, a silent auction, raffle and live music will also be offered. For information visit agri-culture.us.
Monterey Bay Dahlia Show
The show runs Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Museum of Art and History, 705 Front St. in Santa Cruz. Events include: Saturday: Arrangement Demos, 2 p.m.; Basics of Growing Beautiful Dahlias, 3 p.m. Sunday: Dahlia Judging Basics, 1 p.m.; Arrangement Demo, 2 p.m.; Basics of Growing Beautiful Dahlias, 3 p.m.
Recurring events
Aptos Farmers’ Market
Open rain or shine, the Aptos Farmers’ Market at Cabrillo College runs every Saturday from 8 a.m. to noon.
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Sunday, Aug. 25
Special events
Aromas Day
Come to Aromas Day for live music, wonderful food and goodies in our vendor booths at the Aromas Grange, 400 Rose Ave, Aromas. Free event. Start the day with a country-style breakfast & unlimited pancakes at the Grange from 7-11 a.m. Only $8 per person for breakfast. Check out the beautiful handmade Art in the Park with the Aromas Hills Artisans. Kids enjoy pony rides, games and a petting zoo, and everyone enjoys the unique classic cars and Garage Sale Alley. Homegrown parade begins at 2 p.m.
Circo Hermanos Caballero
The talented acrobats with their deadly jumps, and brilliant dancers with spectacular choreography and beautiful costumes will leave you in awe at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds. Feel your adrenaline skyrocket with the Globe of the Death, where three brave motorcyclists travel at more than 70 miles per hour. A thrilling act that guarantees to keep you on the edge of your seat. For information or tickets: bit.ly/2z7su2X.
Recurring events
Farm and garden market
The Corralitos Farm and Garden Market offers locally grown fruits and vegetables and homemade baked goods prepared with organic and locally grown ingredients. The market runs from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 127 Hames Road in Corralitos.
Wetlands Nature Center
Discover the wildlands on free exploration walks at 1:30 p.m. at the Wetlands Nature Center, 30 Harkins Slough Road, Watsonville, behind Ramsay Park. Binoculars provided. Rain cancels. Information: 768-1622 or wetlandsofwatsonville.org.
El Mercado Certified Farmers’ Market
This year-round Certified Farmers’ Market is held at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds, 2601 East Lake Ave., Watsonville from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
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Monday, Aug. 26
Recurring events
Hamburger Night
The American Legion Post 121 invites all to its Hamburger Night from 5:30-7 p.m. at 214 Center St., Watsonville. Cost: $6. Proceeds benefit veterans and the post’s community activities.
Karate at Watsonville PAL
Karate trains on Monday and Wednesday evenings from 5:30-6:30 p.m. at the Watsonville Police Activities League, 130 Rodriguez St., Watsonville. Details: Coresta Angelo at 763-4146.
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Tuesday, Aug. 27
Recurring events
Bingo at Senior Center
The Watsonville Senior Center, 114 E. Fifth St., hosts bingo from 1-4 p.m. All proceeds benefit the center and its programs. Free coffee. Open to anyone 18 or older. In addition, the Senior Center holds a flea market starting at 9:30 a.m. Details: 722-1333.
Legal assistance
California Rural Legal Assistance offers free legal services to low-income people. New clients on a first-come, first-served basis on Tuesdays between the hours of 3-6:30 p.m. at 21 Carr St. in Watsonville. Free housing hotline open Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to noon/1-5 p.m. Call 724-2253 or 688-6535.
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Wednesday, Aug. 28
Recurring events
Bilingual toddler and baby lap time
Freedom Branch Library, 2021 Freedom Blvd., offers child socialization and early literacy skills for children ages 0-24 months at 10:30 a.m., and for ages 2-4 at 11:30 a.m. Details: 768-3420.
Watsonville Band
The Watsonville Community Band wants new members who can read music and competently play an instrument. Rehearsals at 7:30 p.m. in the Watsonville High School band room on Marchant Street. Information: band manager Bill Nestler at 768-8692 or watsonville-band.org.
Elks Lodge dinner
The Watsonville Elks Lodge, 121 Martinelli St., hosts dinners for members and guests. Lodge opens at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is served at 6:30 p.m. A full course dinner is included for $10 per person (special events may be higher). Contact the lodge for reservations at 724-2493. Reservations are a must.
Migrant assistance
The Community Information Center for Migrant Assistance/Centro Communitario de Información Migratoria at Trinity Lutheran Church, 175 Lawrence Ave., Watsonville offers immigration information and assistance from 6-8 p.m. Free. Information: 724-3461.
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Thursday, Aug. 29
Recurring events
Bilingual toddler lap time
Bilingual Toddler Time is a free bilingual (English/Spanish) 30-minute program including stories, activities and music for toddlers and preschoolers. Starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Watsonville Library.
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Friday, Aug. 30
Recurring events
Farmers’ market
The Watsonville Certified Farmers’ Market takes place every Friday from 3-7 p.m. on Peck Street in the downtown Plaza. Offers organic and ethnic produce, flowers, live music and plenty of goodies to eat.
St. Francis bingo
Bingo meets every Friday evening at the Kennedy Center, 2401 E. Lake Ave., Watsonville. Doors open at 5 p.m. Proceeds go to scholarships at St. Francis High School. Information: 722-2665 or 722-3274.
Senior dance
The Watsonville Senior Center hosts a free dance at 10:30 a.m. at 114 E. Fifth St.
Bilingual baby lap time
A free bilingual (English/Spanish) 30-minute program including stories, activities and music for babies age 0-24 months. Starts at 10:30 a.m. at the Watsonville Library.
STEAM in Watsonville Library
STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math) meets in the library from 3-4 p.m. For ages 8-12, the ongoing program allows participants to learn about and make electronic creations from Little Bits kits.
