SPECIAL » EVENTS 2020

WHALES AND WINE Gray whales pass by Mendocino in November on their way south for the winter and return in March on their way north for the summer. At the Mendocino Coast Whale Festival, you can sample all manner of chowder, locally brewed beer and wine, while—with any luck—the passing cetaceans spout just off the Mendocino headlands. March 7-8, 14-15, 21-22 mendocinocoast.com/whale-home

KINETIC SCULPTURE RACE Peripatetic artists of genius or possibly borderline sanity gather each Memorial Day weekend to race giant, whimsical, people-powered sculptures from Arcata to Ferndale along a 40-mile course that includes a crossing of Humboldt Bay. It’s called “the triathalon of the art world.” May 23-25 kineticgrandchampionship.com

BIGFOOT DAYS The earliest and most persistent sightings of that elusive creature known as Bigfoot have happened around the Siskiyou Mountain town of Willow Creek. Each year on Labor Day weekend, the community fetes its furry friend with Bigfoot Days. Don’t expect to see the big guy himself, but you’ll encounter a number of people who claim to have met him. Sept. 5-7 bigfootcountry.net

SYMPHONY OF THE REDWOODS For more than 30 years, this organization has brought a wide variety of classical performances to the North Coast, including a seasonal concert series in Fort Bragg. Four dates between Feb. 1 and April 5 symphonyoftheredwoods.org