Orange International Street Fair

image by sarah lee via flickr

Every Labor Day Weekend, for over 30 years, the Orange International Street Fair takes over downtown Orange. With food, music, & dance from different countries and ethnicity's from around the world, the Orange International Street Fair is definitely a cultural experience you don't want to miss. & with every penny of the profits from the Street Fair going to non-profit charities, helping people here in our community, you can feel good about yourself by attending.

The event itself is FREE to attend, although each of the individual booths will have prices set for food, etc. & Although I always attend simply because of the food, there is so much more... Arts & Crafts vendors, tons of entertainment, as well as an entire "Children's Village" with crafts and game booths designed for the "younger crowd." If you are thinking of bringing the entire family, I'd suggest a day-time adventure. While the Street Fair is open late each night, from my own personal experience, I've found the days to be much more "family-friendly."

What: 2009 Orange International Street Fair
When: Friday, September 4th: 5-10pm, Saturday, September 5th: 10am-10pm, & Sunday, September 6th: 10am-10pm
Where: The Circle in Downtown Orange, directions & map HERE

xoxo, K

Last Few Days of the OC Fair

* Did you know.... that there are only a few more days left to visit the OC Fair for this year? It ends, Sunday August 9th.
* Did you know... your fair experience doesn't have to be all deep-fried treats & carnival rides. Did you know, that you can actually sneak in a little bit of an educational experience, & your kids won't even realize it? This year at the fair, giant chldren's books, flanked by colorful beanbag seat & shelvs of classic page-tuners are drawing children (& adults) in for story time & reading tips. Sounds like a fun, easy way to encourage a little summer-time reading, I think, allthanks to Children & Families Commission of Orange County's Early Literacy Program.
* Did you know... that if you spend $10 or more select at Ralph's locations, and bring the Ralph's receipt, you can purchase $5 admission tickets (valid before 5 PM & weekdays only, Wed-Fri, with a limit of 5 tickets)?
* Did you know... that on Wednesday, August 5th, you can get in FREE plus receive one FREE carnival ride with donation of one school item valued at $5 or more. One ticket/carnival ride per person. (Benefits OC public schools via Rotary Club International. View Wish List.)
* Did you know... kids (12 & under) get in FREE, all day Thursday?
* Did you know... on Thursdays you can enjoy a taste of the fair for just $2? Yep! Yep! Every Thursday from Noon-4 p.m you can enjoy all the fair has o offer for a mere $2. Go HERE for a sample of offerings.
* Did you know... on Thursdays all rides and games are $1 each (valid until 7 p.m.)?
* Did you know... that on Fridays those 60 & Older receive $4 admission, plus FREE Ferris Wheel & Merry-go-round rides?
* Did you know... on Wednesdays & Fridays you can get unlimited rides and two free games for $30(valid until 8 p.m.)? Buy HERE.

Happy Fair going! & Don't miss the ? "Mexican Funnel Cake." It's my favorite fair treat! Afunnel cake made from a churro & topped with whipped cream... the best of both worlds.

xoxo, K

Free For ALL Movie Mondays at the OCPAC

Grab the beach chairs, pack a picnic dinner & bring the kids to Orange County Performing Arts Center's FREE for ALL Movie Mondays. For the next four Mondays, the OCPAC will be playing host as they screen several FREE movies, under the stars. The film starts at dusk (approximately 8pm), although you can start setting up at 5:30pm. "In continuing partnership with the Newport Beach Film Festival, a selection of the best short animated films from this year's festival will be shown prior to the main feature. So, don't forget the popcorn (although I'm told a limited amount of "munchies" will be available for purchase), & you might want to bring along a blanket or two. Here's what will be playing:

Monday, July 13th: Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Monday, July 20th: Annie
Monday, July 27th: Footloose
Monday, August 3rd: Mamma Mia

The movie screenings will be held on the Community Plaza at the Orange County Performing Arts Center, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa, 92626. For more information go HERE.

xoxo, K

This Weekend in Orange County

Looking for something fun to do with the family? Need to get the kids out of the house? Check out this list of some of my favorite weekend happenings. (To see the entire list of weekend to-dos, go HERE.)

Friday, July 10th:

* Brea Films in the Park: The Muppet Movie. Movie Starts at Dusk. FREE.

* Ladera Ranch Concerts on the Green, 6:30-8:30pm, Town Green, FREE
* Lake Forest Movie in the Park, 7:30pm, Rimgate Park, FREE

* Orange County Fair opens today. FREE admission & parking from 12pm-1pm.

* Placentia Movie in the Park, Placentia Champions Sports Complex, movies begin at dusk, FREE

Saturday, July 11th:

* City of Cypress Summer Concerts on the Green, 6pm, Civic Center Green, FREE
* La Palma Concerts in the Park, 6:30-8pm, Central Park Amphitheater, FREE

* Orange County Fair

* Renegade Craft Fair

* Shakespeare by the Sea: Love's Labour's Lost starts at 8pm, pre-show starts at 7:30pm,FREE admission. Point Fermin Park, San Pedro. FREE

* TOMS Summer Sample Sale

Sunday, July 12th:

* Dana Wharf FREE kid's fishing clinic, noon.
* City of Dana Point Summer Concerts in the Park, 4:30-6pm. Heritage Park, FREE

* Movie on the Beach

* Orange County Fair

* Rancho Santa Margarita Summer Concerts, 6pm, Central Park, FREE

* Renegade Craft Fair

* Shakespeare by the Sea: Love's Labour's Lost starts at 8pm, pre-show starts at 7:30pm,FREE admission. Point Fermin Park, San Pedro, FREE

* Target FREE Second Sundays at the Orange County Museum of Art

* Yorba Linda Concerts in the Park, 5:30pm Hurless Barton Park, FREE

xoxo, K

Cirque du Soleil

Get your tickets now for Cirque du Soleil. The excitement begins January 10, 2010 under the Grand Chapiteau (fancy name for big top) at the Orange County Great Park. But don't dilly dally too long, the show will only be here a few short weeks, until January 31st, 2010. Buy your tickets HERE, you definitely don't want to miss out on all the acrobatics. (& If you just can't wait until January, then you could always check out their show in October, up in Santa Monica.)

xoxo, K
image via Cirque du Soleil

This Weekend in Orange County

Looking for something fun to do with the family? Need to get the kids out of the house? Check out this list of some of my favorite weekend happenings. (To see the entire list of weekend to-dos, go HERE.)

Friday, June 26th:
* Wild Tales at the Peter & Mary Muth Interpretive Center, 10:30 - 11:15 am. Story telling fun. After the story, learn more about the natural history of the bay through crafts and nature walks. Pre-registration required: (949)923-2275, $5 per participant, ages 2-7.
* Brea Films in the Park: Movie Starts at Dusk. FREE admission, Arovista Park: The Iron Giant
* City of Dana Point Movies in the Park: Movie starts at 8pm, FREE admission, Lantern Bay Park: Charlotte's Web
* Shakespeare by the Sea: Love's Labour's Lost starts at 8pm, pre-show starts at 7:30pm, FREE admission. Point Fermin Park, San Pedro.

Saturday, June 27th:
* Muzeo Bizarre Guitar Competition
* Science of the Circus
*Movie on the Beach, Movie starts at sunset. Newport Dunes Resort: Horton Hears a Who
* Shakespeare by the Sea: As You Like It starts at 8pm, pre-show starts at 7:30pm, FREE admission. Point Fermin Park, San Pedro.

Sunday, June 28th:
* Dana Wharf FREE kid's fishing clinic, noon.
* City of Dana Point Summer Concerts in the Park, 4:30-6pm. Heritage Park, FREE.
* City of Lake Forest's Summer Concert Series, 5:30-7:30pm, Pittsford Park, FREE.

xoxo, K

Orange County Summer Freebies

We're always on the lookout for a good deal, especially these days. Slowly but surely, we're pulling together a list of FREE (or at least, really cheap) Orange County summer activities... things to do & places to go with the kiddos. So, what are your favorite FREE summertime activities? We'd love to edit our list to include all your favs.

* AMC Summer Movie Camp ($1 G & PG movies at 10am every Wednesday)
* FREE Family Film Festival (G & PG movies at 10am every Tuesday & Wednesdays at Regal theaters)
* Movies in the Park
* Movies on the Beach
* Monday Movies at the OCPAC
* Everyday $1-ish Movies
* Shakespeare by the Sea
* Summer Concert Series
* Kids Bowl Free (shoe rental required)
* Swimming pools, Lagoons & Water Gardens at Pearson Park in Anaheim
* Water Features at Walnut Grove Park in Anaheim
* Swimming Pool at City Hall Park in Brea
* Swimming Pool at Henry Bolsseranc Park in Buena Park
* Wading Pool at Carl Brenner Park in Buena Park
* Spray Pool at Larwin Park in Buena Park
* Swimming Pool at William Peak Park in Buena Park
* Spray Pool at Adlena Park in Fullerton
* Interactive Fountain at Downtown Plaza in Fullerton
* Spray Pool at J. Francis "Pep" Lemon Park in Fullerton
* Wading Pool at Valencia Park in Fullerton
* Water Feature at Pioneer Road Park in Tustin