While half the U.S. is sweltering in unbearable heat and calling out the dogs for the Dog Days of summer, in California we're celebrating a variety of days that relate to burros, mules, the dead, the cowboy and other things.

Let's say you're a cowpoke and you want to go wrestle another cowboy. Make it a date for an annual event coming up this fall- Calico Days in Calico Ghost Town, Yermo. Burro races shown in the photo, gunfights in the streets, train rides, great music and even camping celebrate an annual tradition of the Old West on Oct. 7 -9, 2011. calicotown.com

Maybe you're a Great Dane, or you feel like one. Danish Days in Solvang comes complete with Danish parades, Aebleskiver sweets, dancing in the streets, and even a Danish one-man accordion band. Danish Days happen Sept. 16 -18, 2011. solvangusa.com

Silverado Days Oct. 14 -16, 2o11, is Buena Park's way of having a good time. The event includes lots of games, contests, and Old West themes.

Old Spanish Days Aug. 3 - 7, 2011 are right around the bend in Santa Barbara, and the days events include authentic Spanish celebrations, parades, horse shows, exhibitions, great cooking, and music galore.

The California "Days" calendar is filled with events that pay homage to things, cultures, peoples and foods. One of the biggest "days" coming up is the Day of the Dead — Dia de Los Muertos. It is usually celebrated on November 1 & 2. Alters are made for the dead and departed in ceremonial fashion. The event is not quite as popular as Halloween that precedes it, but it almost is.

Other days in California include Old Miner's Days, Lumberjack Days, Day at the Docks in San Diego, Paradise Gold Nugget Days, Bishop Mule Days, and many more. There's most likely a day out there with your name on it!