FESTIVALS & EVENTS : 2 Celebrations Take Up Where 4th Leaves Off

Independence Day isn’t the only thing worth celebrating this holiday weekend. If you’re looking for carnival rides, entertainment, arts and crafts and more, you might check out two popular annual festivals, in Fountain Valley and Laguna Beach.

FOUNTAIN VALLEY

Grizzly voiced radio personality Wolfman Jack, Neil Diamond impersonator Toni Rossini and a small zoo full of friendly creatures are among the special guests featured at the 9th Annual Fountain Valley Fiesta, which continues through Sunday, July 7.

The five-day community festival features carnival rides, game booths, arts and crafts, clowns, tumblers, a chili cook-off and hours of entertainment daily, all to benefit the city’s Chamber of Commerce.

Entertainment highlights include: Wolfman Jack’s American Graffiti Revue featuring oldies groups the Coasters (“Charlie Brown,” “Yakety Yak”), Shirelles (“Soldier Boy”) and Bobby Freeman (“Shimmy, Shimmy”) and a fireworks show, Thursday; Christian rock entertainers Jon Gibson, Crystal Lewis, Chris Lizotte, Fernando and the Dynamic twins, Friday; “Star Search” winners Insight and others on Saturday and a country music jamboree on Sunday.

New this year: A children’s petting zoo featuring llamas, goats, deer, sheep and pigs. The petting zoo will be open Thursday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission to the zoo is 50 cents.

Special days: On Thursday, military personnel and their families will be admitted free. On Friday, at 2 p.m., disabled children will be admitted before the gates open to the general public for two hours of free carnival rides.

What: Fountain Valley Fiesta.

When: Through Sunday, July 7. Hours: Thursday, July 4, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday, July 5, 5 p.m. to 11 p.m.; Saturday, July 6, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m., and Sunday, July 7, 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Where: Mile Square Park, Fountain Valley at the corner of Brookhurst Street and Heil Avenue.

Whereabouts: San Diego (405) Freeway to the Brookhurst Street exit. Go north on Brookhurst to Heil Avenue. Go right into fairgrounds.

Wherewithal: $3 to $4.

Where to Call: (714) 962-4441.

LAGUNA BEACH

Nearly 200 Laguna Beach artisans are expected to present their crafts in the 25th annual Sawdust Festival, which begins Saturday and continues through Sept. 1.

The event, showcasing local artists, features everything from handmade paper to hand-painted silk, from masks to basketry. At the Sawdust Festival, even exhibitors’ booths are art: a chicken coop, an ancient cathedral, even a dragon has been constructed to house artists’ wares.

Free arts and crafts lessons are available for children, and this year all visitors can learn from the exhibitors as they demonstrate their techniques. Last year nearly 260,000 people attended the event, which also hosts daily performances by jugglers, magicians, mimes and music groups.

In celebration of the festival’s silver anniversary, admission from July 25 through Aug. 25 will be just 25 cents.

What: Sawdust Festival.

When: Saturday, July 6, through Sept. 1. Hours: 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., Sunday through Thursday; till 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday.

Where: 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach.

Whereabouts: San Diego (405) Freeway to the Laguna (133) Freeway west (which becomes Laguna Canyon Road). Follow festival signs to the end of the road. Festival will be on the left before the beach.

Wherewithal: $3 to $4. Children under 12 free.

Where to Call: (714) 494-3030.