Here, find a curated list of the best food and drink events in Santa Cruz County for the coming week. At the top, I share my picks of unmissable local happenings.

The Watsonville Testicle Festival, an annual agricultural festival and fundraiser, returns this Saturday afternoon to Estrada Deer Camp outside of Watsonville. Fried bull testicles – and a barbecue feast – are on the menu, and proceeds from the event support scholarships for youth pursuing agricultural education and careers. I went last year and had a ball – more than one, actually, and it tastes more like calamari than chicken.

This Saturday evening, visit Monkeyflower Ranch in Prunedale for a summer dinner at the farm. The idyllic ranch raises sheep, pigs, chickens and lamb, and produces dairy products, including its well-known Garden Variety Cheese. Start the evening with a tour before the four-course, family-style meal prepared with organic produce from area farms and products from Monkeyflower. Wine and beer will be available for sale, or BYOB. $100 per person.

Best of Santa Cruz County food and drink events, Aug. 23-29

Here are some upcoming local food and drink events you might be interested:

Saturday, Aug. 24

Sunday, Aug. 25

Wednesday, Aug. 28

Thursday, Aug. 29

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Lily Belli is the food and drink correspondent at Lookout Santa Cruz. Over the past 15 years since she made Santa Cruz her home, Lily has fallen deeply in love with its rich food culture, vibrant agriculture...