Memorial Weekend Activities in and around OC.

Memorial weekend has finally arrived! Are you looking for something to do during this weekend?  Well,  so are we. So we decided to do a little research and thought we would share what we stumbled upon. Check out the info below on events that celebrate and honor our troops as well as this website that highlights some fun things to do in and around the oc.  http://www.daytrippen.com/oc.html

 

Also, here are some events that are going on specifically for this holiday weekend:

 

Strawberry Festival

A weekend-long festival featuring carnival rides, games and entertainment. Event highlights include the giant strawberry shortcake cutting ceremony on Friday, the Strawberry festival Parade and the “Strawberry Idol” Karaoke Contest on Saturday. 1-10 p.m. Friday; 8 a.m.-10 p.m. Saturday; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sunday. Friday-May 27. Village Green Park, 12732 Main St., Garden Grove. Free admission; carnival ride and food prices vary. 714-638-0981.

Movies on the Beach

Bring jackets, blankets, chairs and settle in for a family-friendly film on the beach every Friday and Saturday night, beginning Memorial weekend, May 25 and 26 and ending Labor Day weekend. Some films include ‘Surfs Up,’ ‘Sandlot,’ ‘Despicable Me,’ ‘Toy Story’ and ‘Bolt.’ All ages welcome. 6 p.m. Friday-Sept. 2. Newport Dunes Waterfront Resort, 1131 Back Bay Drive, Newport Beach. Free admission; parking $10; concessions are extra. 800-765-7661.

Dave Attell Special Event

Actor, comedian and “Insomniac” host Dave Attell performs his stand-up routine at the Irvine Improv. Various showtimes. Friday-May 27. Irvine Improv, 71 Fortune Drive, Irvine. $25; 21 and over. 949-854-5455.

Scotsfest 2012

Southern California’s largest Celtic festival returns with entertainment, music, bagpipes, athletic competitions, highland dancing, sheepherding demonstrations, vendors and more. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. One-day admission: general $18; senior (65+)/military with ID/student $16; kids (5-12) $3. Two-day admission: general $25; senior (65+)/military/student $22; kids $4; Children under 5 are free; parking: $5-$8. 714-708-1500.

Show-Down

Animal Assistance League of Orange County presents Show-Down. The event features a chili cook-off, raffle, silent auction, car show, beer and wine tasting, chocolate and cheese tasting and live entertainment provided by Phil Shane. 1-5 p.m. Saturday. Newland Barn, 19822 Beach Blvd., Huntington Beach. General admission: $25-$30; kids (12 and under): $10. 714-893-4393.

 

If you feel like driving a little further check out these great Memorial Day celebrations honoring our troops.

 

Redondo Beach

American Legion Post 184, 412 S. Camino Real, will host its annual Memorial Day picnic from noon-3 p.m. Monday. Hot dogs, hamburgers and pot luck will be provided by members of the post. Donations will be used to provide calling cards for the troops. Go to post184.com.

The Veterans Memorial Task Force, Redondo Beach Elks Lodge #1378 and the city of Redondo Beach will join together for a Special Memorial Day ceremony at 1 p.m. Monday at the Veterans Memorial in Veterans Park, 300 The Esplanade. The service will be followed by a barbecue picnic open to the public and sponsored by the Redondo Beach Elks. Cost for the barbecue to the general public is $5. Free to all veterans and members of the military services, fire personnel and police officers.

Rancho Palos Verdes

Green Hills Memorial Park will host one of Southern California’s largest annual Memorial Day services from 10-11:30 a.m. Monday at 27501 S. Western Ave. Keynote speaker will be Sgt. Daniel Rodriguez, a veteran of the Iraq and Afghanistan wars and a recipient of the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. Other highlights include the release of 100 doves, a performance by the Palos Verdes Symphonic Band, a performance by the 21st Century skydiving team, flyovers and a Hometown Heroes ceremony. In addition, Country singer Matt Rogers, host of the Lifetime series “Coming Home” will perform a free concert after the ceremonies. Go to www.greenhillsmemorial.com for more information.

Hermosa Beach

The Hermosa Beach Chamber of Commerce and Visitors Bureau presents its 42nd annual Memorial Day weekend tradition with more than 300 vendors selling arts and crafts, a kiddie carnival, entertainment with tribute to our troops and an array of ethnic food. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Monday at Hermosa and Pier avenues. Free bus shuttle service available from 7:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. each day from the Northrop Grumman Building O4 parking lot at 15092 Aviation Blvd., at the corner of Aviation Boulevard and Marine Avenue, in Redondo Beach. Go to www.hbchamber.net for more details