ENCINITAS ---- Tickets are on sale for the second annual Encinitas Garden Festival, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. April 8.

This year's celebration of the city's horticultural heritage will feature walking tours of more than 20 private gardens in the Leucadia neighborhood. It will begin a Cottonwood Creek Park, where participants will board double-decker buses to the various sites.

Also planned at the park is an all-day festival with dance and art demonstrations, a gardener's marketplace, plant sale, food, beverages and live music.

Tickets are $20 for adults and $7 for children 10 and younger, and are available at Encinitas nurseries and other locations. For more information, visit www.encinitasgardenfestival.org, or call (760) 753-8615.

AROUND CARLSBAD column needs Barbara Brill's column mug