Festivals, Feasts & Fairs

MONTEREY--A whale of a good time is planned for Friday and Saturday as the two-month Whalefest kicks off. On Friday, Monterey Bay Aquarium (886 Cannery Row) presents activities from 7:30 to 9:30 p.m., with music, storytelling and kids’ games. Free. An exhibit of whale photography opens at the Monterey Museum of Art, 559 Pacific St., 5:30-7 p.m. Free. On Saturday, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., the open-air Custom House Plaza presents booths with whale information and art, and state park rangers will give information about shore-side whale-watching. Free. The plaza is at the end of Alvarado Street at the mouth of Fisherman’s Wharf. Adjacent to the plaza, the Old Whaling Station hosts a free open house, 1-4 p.m., with tales of the whale trade in old Monterey. (408) 644-7588.

BLYTHE--Bluegrass music and competitive western dance will be featured at the Colorado River Country Music Festival, Friday through Jan. 19 at the Colorado River Country Fairgrounds, 11995 Olive Lake Blvd. About 30 vendors will sell food, T-shirts, hats, guitars and other items. 8 a.m.-5 p.m. $7 per day for adults, $18 for all three days; free for children 12 and under. (800) 443-5513.

SAN DIEGO--The parade honoring Martin Luther King Jr. turns 17 this year. Bands, floats, drill teams and others will begin marching at 10 a.m. Saturday, south along Harbor Drive from the rear of the County Administration Building (1600 Pacific Highway) to Seaport Village. Singing cowboy Herb Jeffries will be the parade’s grand marshal. Free. (619) 264-0542.

RED BLUFF--Cowpokes and rough riders will be on hand for the Jim Owens Memorial Ranch Rodeo, Jan. 24 and 25 at the Tehama District Fairgrounds, 650 Antelope Blvd. Events at the Pauline Davis Pavilion, including calf roping and herd counting, start at 4 p.m. Jan. 24; free. On Jan. 25, activities start at 8 a.m.; $5 for adults, free for children 12 and under. (916) 527-2045.

BAKERSFIELD--For those already thinking of holidays to come, the ninth annual Pre-Valentine’s Weekend Arts, Crafts and Music Festival provides a warmup to Feb. 14. The event, Feb. 1 and 2 at the Kern County Fairgrounds, will feature about 150 artists and artisans and Valentine-themed crafts such as hearts; live bluegrass, country and folk music; and vendors selling Greek, Indian, Thai and other fare. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. The fairgrounds are at 1142 S. P St. $2 adults, free for children 12 and under. (209) 877-3474.

Call listed phone numbers for directions.