Safe Corridor Initiative discusses highway safety
Representatives from Caltrans, California Highway Patrol and the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office, along with San Mateo County Supervisor Ray Mueller, state Sen. Josh Becker and Assemblymember Marc Berman, are expected to discuss safety concerns along Highways 35, 84 and 9 on Tuesday, Oct. 20, from 6 to 7:30 p.m.
“Five years of reported collisions on these roads: 854 collisions, 26 deaths, 1,106 people hurt or killed. The 12 months to March 2026 were the worst on record. Two cyclists have been killed since—one at Four Corners in August 2025, one five miles south on Skyline in July 2026,” said a Safe Corridor Initiative spokesperson in a release.
Organizers also expressed concern that families of people killed on the roads had not been invited to previous study sessions and advisory panel meetings.
“Through all of it—the study sessions, the advisory panel, the petitions—nobody has ever invited the families of the people who died here. Twenty-four of the dead were named in published reporting; the rest were never named at all. They are invited on the 20th and have no way of knowing it,” added the spokesperson.
The initiative is seeking help contacting grieving families while respecting their privacy. People who can assist are asked to email pe******@********************ve.com.
Youth art contest seeks holiday light display design
Santa Cruz County children ages 5 to 12 can submit holiday-themed drawings for a chance to have their artwork featured in this year’s Sparky’s Holiday Lights display at the Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds.
The Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation’s Youth Art in Lights contest is accepting entries through Friday, Oct. 23. The Holiday Lights Committee will select a winning design to be recreated in lights as part of the 2026 display.
Drawings should feature a holiday-themed object or scene and be simple enough to reproduce in a metal framework. Entries may be drawn on the back of the entry form or on a separate 8.5-by-11-inch sheet of paper.
Entry forms in English and Spanish are available at sparkysholidaylights.com. Completed forms can be emailed to su*****@********************on.org or mailed to Fairgrounds Foundation, P.O. Box 1806, Freedom, CA 95019.
Sparky’s Holiday Lights runs Nov. 27 through Dec. 24, Fridays through Sundays, as a three-quarter-mile drive-through display at the fairgrounds. Details on special theme nights and discounts will be announced later.
Santa Cruz Mac Down features vegan cheese competition
Local chefs will compete for the title of best vegan mac and cheese at Santa Cruz Mac Down on Saturday, Oct. 24, from noon to 2 p.m. at Santa Cruz Portuguese Hall, 216 Evergreen St.
Hosted by Vegan Outreach, the event invites attendees to sample dishes and vote for their favorites. Plant-based food vendors and community organizations will also participate.
Tickets are available through Eventbrite. Organizers are also seeking chefs and vendors to participate.
For tickets and more information, visit tinyurl.com/SCMacDown. For vendor or sponsorship inquiries, email Jackie at Ja*****@***********ch.org.
Quail Hollow Ranch hosts free community day
Santa Cruz County Parks will host a free community day at Quail Hollow Ranch County Park on Sunday, Oct. 25, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., with activities for visitors of all ages.
The ranch house will be open to visitors, and park docent Ken Kellman will offer microscope viewing. Docents and park staff will lead hikes along the easy Discovery Trail and the more challenging new Pace Trail.
The Outdoor Education Center will host gardening and art activities. River Dogs of Boulder Creek will sell hot dogs and beverages.
For a schedule of activities and more information, visit Santa Cruz County Parks’ community events page.
Santa Cruz Marathon sells out two race distances
The inaugural Santa Cruz Marathon is set for Sunday, Oct. 25, with the marathon and 5K already sold out weeks ahead of the event. Limited entries remain for the half marathon.
Organized by California-based Motiv Sports, the event will also feature a race expo. Courses will showcase the Santa Cruz coastline, including the Beach Boardwalk, Pleasure Point, Capitola Village, West Cliff Drive and Wilder Ranch State Park, with the finish near Cowell Beach.
David Reid, race director of IRONMAN 70.3 Santa Cruz, is helping lead local engagement and planning.
“Santa Cruz is known for its unique style and attitude, and it was important to the Motiv Sports team and me to infuse that iconic culture into every element of the race,” Reid said.
The event joins the Golden State Challenge, a series of nine California races. Registration and event information are available at runsantacruz.com.
Santa Cruz County Fair attendance up 11%
More than 53,000 guests, volunteers and staff were on the fairgrounds during the five-day 2026 Santa Cruz County Fair, with paid attendance increasing 11% from last year.
Opening Day on Sept. 16 drew more than 10,800 people. The turnout was helped by a special $2.50 admission price in recognition of the nation’s upcoming 250th birthday.
The Fair’s Junior Livestock Auction also set a record, raising more than $785,000, including nearly $12,500 for the Heritage Hog.
“We are incredibly grateful for the community’s response to this year’s Santa Cruz County Fair. Attendance increased by 11%, and throughout the five days you could feel the energy and enthusiasm across the fairgrounds,” said Dori Rose Inda, CEO/Fair Manager.
This year’s fair theme was “Apple Pies and Starry Skies,” with livestock and horse shows, exhibits, local food, entertainment and educational activities among the offerings.
