San Benito County Fair: The San Benito County Fair runs this weekend, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Sunday. Carnival opens at noon. Friday is Kids Day, with 12 and under free all day, Senior’s Day is Saturday, with $1 off admission. Tickets are $8 for adults, $5 for seniors 60 and older, $3 for kids 6 to 12 and free for kids 5 and under. Parking is $4. Discounted fair tickets are available at the Fair Office or Ranchers Feed. Presale carnival passes are available at Ace Hardware, the San Benito County Chamber of Commerce, the Fair Office, L.A. Hearne, Postal Graphics and Ranchers Feed. Details: visit www.sanbenitocountyfair.com
Pinnacles summer speaker series continues: The Pinnacles Summer Speakers Series will continue Sept. 29, with a presentation on “Wildlife Rehabilitation: A look at Your Local Center,” at 2 p.m. at the Visitor Contact Station on the west side of the park, near Soledad. The presentations are free and range from half an hour to an hour, though a park entrance fee will be charged. The series will continue in October. Details: 389-4486 ext. 265.
Northern California Renaissance Faire: The Northern California Renaissance Faire continues on Saturday and Sunday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., with a Celtic rock concert set for 6 p.m. on Saturday, at Casa de Fruta, 10031 Pacheco Pass Hwy. in Hollister. This weekend’s theme is Pirate Invasion weekend. Children 7 and under can meet the Queen and Captain Drake in the annual wee pirate costume contest at 2 p.m. at the Jack O’Tales Storybook Stage. Admission is $25 at the gate, children 12 and under are free. Weekend passes are $35. The Faire runs through Oct. 14 on Saturday and Sunday. For more information and tickets, visit www.norcalrenfaire.com or call 408.847.FAIR.
Movies on the Plaza: The San Juan State Historic Park will host the final movie on the plaza of the summer season, with “Vertigo” on Sept. 29, at sunset. Residents can watch the classic Alfred Hitchcock movie partially filmed on location at the San Juan Bautista Mission. Admission is free and residents are encouraged to bring blankets, chairs and warm clothes. The movies are jointly sponsored by the Plaza History Association and Earthbound Farms. Vertigo Coffee, 81 Fourth St., in San Juan will be offering free cappuccinos all day in honor of National Coffee Day on Sept. 29. The shop will be open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: 623-4881.
Blessing of the Animals: St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, 720 Monterey Street, will host a special service Sept. 30, at 10 a.m. that will include a Blessing of the Animals on the back lawn of the church. Please bring pets on leashes or in appropriate containers. Details: 637-7570
