n 36th annual Lake Tahoe Shakespeare Festival — Through Aug. 17. Visit the Web site for a complete schedule of events. $22-$67. Tickets: 888-327-4697, www.laketahoeshakespeare.com.

  • 2008 Ironstone Concert Series — Through Oct. 4, Murphys. Performers include Sheryl Crow, Chris Isaak and Willie Nelson. Visit the Web site for a complete schedule. Ironstone Vineyards, 1894 Six Mile Road, Murphys. Tickets: 209-551-8497, www.ironstonevineyards.com.

  • Ninth annual Northern California Blues Festival — July 21-22, Fair Oaks. Live music, classical cars, arts and crafts, food and more. Fair Oaks Park, 11625 Fair Oaks Blvd. $1 0-$75. 916-924-3836.

  • California Mid State Fair — July 23-Aug. 3, Paso Robles. Exhibits, livestock, live entertainment, food and more. www.midstatefair.com.

  • Thomas the Tank Engine at Roaring Camp Railroads — 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. July 25-27 and Aug. 1-3, Felton. Part of the Day Out With Thomas 2008: The Great Discovery Tour; take a ride with a 15-ton replica of Thomas the Tank Engine. Roaring Camp Railroads, Felton. 866-468-7630, www.roaringcamp.com.

  • Gilroy Garlic Festival — July 25-27. An "Iron Chef"-style competition, Gourmet Alley Demonstration Stage, and all the
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    garlic-infused food you can imagine. Christmas Hill Park, 7100 Miller Ave., Gilroy. Free-$12. 408-842-1625, www.gilroygarlicfestival.com.

  • 31st annual Twain Harte Summer Arts & Wine Festival — July 26-27. Arts and crafts, live entertainment, a vintage car show and more. Downtown Twain Harte. Free. 209-533-3473.

  • Oxnard Salsa Festival — July 26-27. Demonstrations, salsa tastings, dancing, live entertainment, food and more. Plaza Park at Plaza Park, 5th and B streets, Oxnard. Free, $4 for tastings. 800-269-6273, www.oxnardsalsafestival.com.

  • Bear Valley Music Festival — July 26-Aug. 10. An outdoor musical experience under the shade of a large 1,250-seat tent. 800-458-1618, www.bearvalleymusic.org.

  • 14th annual Monterey Bay Strawberry Festival — Aug. 1-3, Watsonville. Strawberry delights, nonstop live entertainment, pie contests, arts and crafts, a children's area and more. Ramsay Park. www.mbsf.com.

  • Sierra Summer Festival — Aug. 5-9, Mammoth Lakes. Concerts feature classical music from small ensembles, both vocal and instrumental, to an 80-piece symphonic orchestra. 760-924-3650, www.sierrasummerfestival.org.

  • 10th annual Sutter Creek Ragtime Festival — Aug. 8-10. Live music, Silent Movie Night, two gala festival concerts, a youth concert and more. $55-$65, 16 and younger free with paying adult. 209-223-0867, www.suttercreekragtime.com.

  • Petaluma Wine, Jazz & Blues Festival — Aug. 9. Features a main event stage showcasing nationally recognized jazz and blues artists, arts and crafts, wine tastings, and more. $35-$45. www.pwjb.org.

  • Third annual Tomato Dinner — 6:30 p.m. Aug. 13, St. Helena. A tomato tasting menu accompanied by wine pairings. Martini House, 1245 Spring Street at Oak, just off Highway 29, St. Helena. $60-$165. 707-963-2233, Ext. 1, www.martinihouse.com.

  • Fourth annual Reno-Tahoe Blues Fest — Aug. 16-17. Visit www.RenoTahoeBluesFest.com. for a complete schedule of concerts and events. Rancho San Rafael Park, Reno. Tickets: 775-787-8497.

  • Bodega Seafood, Art & Wine Festival — Aug. 23-24. More than 20 wineries, 12 microbreweries, seafood dishes and tastings, live entertainment and more. Watts Ranch, 16855 Bodega Highway. $8-$12, 11 and younger free. 707-824-8717, www.winecountryfestivals.com.

  • Long Beach Crab Festival — 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Aug. 30. Music, food, crab cooking demonstrations, comedians, live bands, craft vendors and more. www.queenmaryfestivals.com.

  • Great Reno Balloon Race — Sept. 5-7. More than 100 balloons from around the world. Rancho San Rafael Regional park, Reno. www.reno balloon.com.

  • Ventura Lemon Fest — Sept. 6-7. A wide variety of lemon offerings, live music, a recipe contest, lemon meringue pie-eating contests, Lemonhead-spitting contests and a children's play area. Pacific View Mall, at East Main Street and Lemon Grove Avenue, Ventura. Free. www.lemonfest.com.

  • 17th annual NatureSweet Carmel Tomatofest — 12:30-4:30 p.m. Sept. 14. Tomato tastings, food, wine, gardening demonstrations, live music, dancing and more. Quail Lodge Resort, Carmel. $85-$95. 800-965-4827, www.tomatofest.com.

  • 51st annual Monterey Jazz Festival — Sept. 19-21. Live music on nine stages, tributes, special events and more. $35-$220. 925-275-9255, www.montereyjazzfestival.org.