Gold Coutry:May

Pastels USA International Open Exhibition - April 11 - June 1, 2006

ARTS 808 Lincoln Way Auburn, CA

Schedule: Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Cost: Free

Primary Phone: (530) 885-2787

Considered the most important yearly show of pastel art outside New York City, this annual event features 100 of the approximately 600 works submitted by top pastel artists from the United States and beyond.

Feats of Clay - May 3 - 28, 2006

Gladding McBean Terra Cotta Factory (meet at 6th & F sts.) Lincoln, CA

Schedule: Opening event April 29 at 7 p.m.; exhibition tours Wed.–Sun. 9 a.m.–noon (May 3–28)

Cost: Opening event $50; guided exhibition tours $10; reservations required for both

Primary Phone: (916) 645-9713

Web site: www.lincolnarts.org

This juried exhibition of artwork by upward of 70 of the nation's finest ceramists takes place in an historic terra cotta factory. The exhibition can be seen only on a guided tour; participation is limited to adults and children 12 and up. No open-toed shoes. At the opening benefit event, you can mingle with the artists and enjoy an 1800s-themed dinner of chicken or tri-tip.

Yosemite Birding Festival - May 5 - 7, 2006

Various locations Yosemite Valley and El Portal, CA

Schedule: Check Web site for full schedule

Cost: $130

Primary Phone: (209) 379-2321

Web site: www.yosemite.org/seminars/birdfestival.htm

Programs on natural history and photography, lectures on raptors, and plenty of ranger-led walks focus on Yosemite's avian life.

May 6 - 7, 2006 - Art & Wine Festival Old Clayton Main St. Clayton, CA

Schedule: Sat. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Cost: Free

Primary Phone: (925) 672-2272

Clayton hosts a weekend of art and wine, with displays by about 125 artists, tasting booths, food sellers, arts & crafts, and live music.

Feather Fiesta Days - May 6 - 13, 2006

Various locations Oroville, CA

Schedule: Event times vary

Cost: Most events are free

Primary Phone: (800) 655-4653

Secondary Phone: (530) 534-7690

Web site: www.orovillechamber.net

Fiesta Days culminates on May 13 with the Grand Parade, a pancake breakfast, a craft fair and flea market, the big Gold Rush Car Show, a firefighters' chili cookoff, an art show, tours of the Oroville Dam, and a triathlon. Events on prior days include pony rides, museum open houses, guided hikes, a kiddies' parade, Bidwell Bar Day where children can learn Gold Rush-era crafts, a Chinese temple tea, and a disc golf tournament.

Whole Earth Festival - May 12 - 14, 2006

UC Davis Quad Davis, CA

Schedule: Event times vary

Cost: Free

Primary Phone: (530) 752-2569

Web site: www.wef.ucdavis.edu

Nearly 30,000 visitors descend on U.C. Davis for this solar-powered festival. You'll find four stages of musicians, dancers, and speakers. Also handmade craft and vegetarian food vendors—all with environmetally friendly merchandise—educational booths, children's activities, and more.

Celebrate the River - May 13, 2006

Sacramento River Discovery Center 1000 Sale Lane Red Bluff, CA

Schedule: 9 a.m.–1 p.m.

Cost: Free

Primary Phone: (530) 527-1196

This festival, focused on the Sacramento River, features guided tours, interactive demonstrations, a native plant garden, crafters and artists, food, and music.

Shasta Art Festival and Old Time Fiddler Jamboree - May 13 - 14, 2006

Various locations Shasta, CA

Schedule: 8:30 a.m.–5 p.m.

Cost: $5 adults, free for children under 8

Primary Phone: (530) 244-5959

Celebrate the Gold Rush era in an historic town with fiddle and other music, arts and crafts booths, food, a vintage fashion show, living history exhibits, working blacksmiths, and a hands-on quilting experience.

Reno/Tahoe Wine & Food Festival - May 19 - 20, 2006

Reno Hilton Reno, NV

Schedule: Times vary; call or check Web site

Cost: Prices vary; call or check Web site

Primary Phone: (800) 648-3568 (tickets)

Secondary Phone: (916) 985-6890 (info)

Web site: www.rtshows.com

Sample vintages from Cakebread Cellars, Joseph Phelps, and more than 100 other wineries. Plus, live music, and culinary demos and dishes cooked up by restaurants.

Strawberry Festival - May 20 - 21, 2006

Downtown Galt, CA

Schedule: Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.

Cost: Admission $7, $5 seniors and kids 6–12

Primary Phone: (209) 745-2529

Web site: www.galtchamber.com

Nearly 150 arts and crafts booths, live tunes, a kids' carnival, and strawberries galore in every imaginable form.

Spring Peddler's Faire - May 27 - 28, 2006

Downtown Highway 4 Arnold, CA

Schedule: 9 a.m.–4 p.m.

Cost: Free admission

Primary Phone: (925) 372-8961

Seventy vendors gather in downtown Arnold to sell antiques, collectables, crafts, homemade foods, and much more. Also on the schedule are pancake breakfasts each morning, and local beers and wines for sale throughout the day.