Del Mar Quilt, Craft, and Sewing Festival, Thur-Sat., May 17-19, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Variety of sewing, quilting, needle-art, craft supply exhibits. (858) 793-5555. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar
OB Beach Ball, Thur.-Sun., May 17-20, noon-10 p.m. Live music, action sports, “Human Haulin’ contest,” mechanical bull, micro-brew beer festival, games, “giant water slide,” food. Enjoy rides on 60-foot Ferris wheel. Find the fun in pier parking lot, in main beach parking lot (at foot of Santa Monica Ave.), and at Saratoga Park. (619) 224-4906. Ocean Beach Pier 5091 Niagara Ave., San Diego.
Cruisin’ Grand, Fridays, 6-8 p.m. Free. Each week has theme & live music. Summer-long Friday-evening car show hosted on Grand Avenue. Grand Ave. between Juniper and Kalmia Street, Escondido. cruisingrand.com
“It’s How I Roll!” Fri., May 18, 6 a.m.-9 a.m. Free. Prepare your bike, take part in National Bike to Work Day 2012. Register in advance to be eligible to stop at one of 80 pit stops (throughout the county) to pick up free t-shirt, snacks, beverages on Bike to Work Day. http://www.icommutesd.com/Events/BikeToWorkDay.aspx
Drew Brees Celebrity Championship, Fri.-Sun., May 18-20, 7 a.m.-4 p.m. $10-$15. 50+ celebrity golfers compete for $100,000 at 14th annual event, seeking to crown “best celebrity golfer in the U.S.” (858) 836-0133. La Costa Resort and Spa, 2100 Costa del Mar Road, Carlsbad.
Padres Host Angels, Fri.-Sun., May 18-20. (Fri-Sat 7:05; Sun 1:05). Games broadcast on radio station XX Sports Radio (1090 AM). Tickets (619) 795-5000. Petco Park, 100 Park Blvd., downtown San Diego.
Patriot’s Day Parade and Festival! Sat., May 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. TierraFest activities include parade (10 a.m.), arts and crafts fair, barbecue dinner (4-9 p.m.), fireworks (dusk). Games, activities for kids. (858) 573-2648. Tierrasanta Town Center, 10633 Tierrasanta Blvd., San Diego.
Wild West Fest, Sat., May 19, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Free. Celebrate Native American culture with demonstrations, crafts, activities, entertainment. Enjoy a salsa tasting contest. Pony rides. Activity cards (purchase at event) take visitors through Native American themed activities, projects. (760) 434-2843. Leo Carrillo Ranch Historic Park, 6200 Flying Leo Carrillo Lane, Carlsbad.
Renegade Roller Derby, Sat., May 19, 7-10 p.m. Free-$12. Enjoy full contact, no penalties, no-holds-barred roller derby. sandiegorenegades@gmail.com. Skate San Diego, 700 East 24th St., National City.
City of Encinitas 5K/1K, Sat., May 19, 8 a.m.-11 a.m. $25-$35. Encinitas Sports and Fitness Festival includes this event over course through downtown Encinitas. Race-day registration (6:30 a.m.) in Moonlight Beach parking lot; 5k steps off at 8am, 1k walk/run starts at 9 a.m. Also paddle board and SUP races. Moonlight Beach, 200 B St., Encinitas.
Create Compost, Sat., May 19, 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Free. Learn “to make terrific compost at home” during Solana Center workshop focusing on making compost piles. Registration (760) 436-7986 x222. Summers Past Farms, 15602 Olde Highway 80, El Cajon.
Run to the Hills Car Show, Sat., May 19, 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Monday Nite Car Club and Mountain Empire Men’s Club join forces to present tenth annual show. Old Highway 80 will be closed through town as custom cars line the historic highway. (619) 440-6168 or (619) 460-4945. Pine Valley
Potluck/walk! Sat., May 19, 1-3 p.m. Free. Meet others who share an interest in birds, animals, native plants during community potluck in natural setting. Enjoy a walk on trails, see restored native habitat. beckywilbanks@cox.net or (760) 295-1548. Anstine-Audubon Nature Preserve, 2437 Hutchison Street, Vista, 92084.
Pirate Days, Sat., May 19, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free-$15. Celebration for kids with children’s costume contests, carnival games, cannon firings, weapon demonstrations, sword fights, appearances by mermaids, scavenger hunt for pirate treasure. Ride the “Treasure Seeker ship for a swashbuckling adventure at sea” at 11am, 1:30pm, 3pm (free to $27.50). Short cruises offered aboard historic Pilot ($3 plus admission). Kids and adults who wear pirate or mermaid costumes receive $2 discount; adults carrying replica weapons must have them peace-tied. San Diego Maritime Museum, 1492 North Harbor Drive, downtown San Diego.
Loma Portal Home/Garden Tour, Sat. May 19, 10 a.m.-2 p.m. $20, Age 18+. Loma Portal PTA sponsors sixth annual tour, benefiting school’s music program. Tour eight homes/gardens in Loma Portal neighborhood; comfortable walking shoes recommended. Craft fair at school. (619) 223-1683. Loma Portal Elementary School, 3341 Browning St., San Diego.
Point Loma’s Historical Gardens, Sat., May 19, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $20-$25. SD Floral Association presents annual tour of gardens with historic roots. Visit five Point Loma gardens plus the Rosecroft Estate (an Italianate mansion), shop garden marketplace and plant sale. Day of event, tickets, maps available in church parking lot. Westminster Presbyterian Church, 3598 Talbot St., San Diego.
Birding at Kumeyaay Lake, Sat., May 19, 8-10 a.m. Free. Park’s resident birder Jeanne Raimond leads search for late-nesting migrants and and newly fledged birds inhabiting the lake’s scenic environs. Bring a bird book and binoculars (optional). Meet at campground entry station. (619) 668-3281. Kumeyaay Lake Campground, Two Father Junípero Serra Trail, Santee.
Star Party Santee, Sat., May 19 7:30-10 p.m. Park’s resident stargazer George Varga leads “solar exploration of the Whirlpool (M51), Sunflower (M63), Black-Eye (M64), and Sobrero (M104) galaxies and more.” Join group at far end of campground’s day-use parking lot. (619) 668-3281. Kumeyaay Lake Campground, Two Father Junípero Serra Trail, Santee.
Philippine Fair & Parade, Sat., May 19, Parade 8:30-9:30 a.m. Fair 9:45 a.m.-6 p.m. Honring Philippine Independence Day. Parade: marching groups of community and school organizations, school bands, and a float carrying Councilmember David Alvarez. “Philippine Fair Festival” with jazz, folk, pop music; dance performances, food and cultural merchandise. Parade: Mar Vista Middle School: Grove Ave. - Saturn Blvd. - Robert Egger South Bay Park. Festival at Robert Eggar Sr. South Bay Rec Center, 1885 Coronado Ave. (619) 855-2132. www.copao_sandiego.org
Armed Forces Day Operation Appreciation Oceanside, Sat., May 19, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. children’s fun zone with carnival rides, inflatable jumps, rock climbing wall, kid’s crafts and face painting. The children’s area will also have characters like Baby Shamu and the Padres Pad Squad for kids to meet and take pictures. Live entertainment. Military land and amphibious displays on the beach. TEOD team demos latest equipment & answers questions. Active duty military and dependents must bring an Military ID Card to get unlimited rides, activities, and free lunch. Event open to public. Purchase tickets for children’s rides. Entertainment and military displays are free to everyone. www.OceansideOperationAppreciation.com
Crossroads of the West Gun Show, Sat.-Sun., May 19-20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free-$12. Exhibits designed to appeal to hunters, gun collectors. Del Mar Fairgrounds, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar.
ROC Race 5K, Sat.-Sun., May 19-20, 8 a.m.-3 p.m. $45-$50. “Ridiculous Obstacle Challenge” is described as “a creative collision” with “military-style and game show-inspired obstacles spread throughout” the course. Dress for costume contest with prizes. Del Mar Fairgrounds 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar.
Calling All Naturalists, Sat.-Sun., May 19-20, Wed., May 23, 9:30-11 a.m. Go “a-trail” with a guide in search of butterflies, wildflowers, burrowing residents, woodrat nests, more. Learn about native and non-native plant varieties. Mission Trails Regional Park, One Father Junípero Serra Trail, San Carlos.
25th Annual Jack in the Box “Hoops at the Beach” Sat.-Sun., May 19-20, 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Largest 3-on-3 basketball tournament in San Diego. Mini-courts are set up to accomodate players of all ages in half-court basketball games. There is a slam dunk contest, free throw contest, and a 30-point shootout. You can form a team and play or sit back and watch the playoffs. West Mission Bay (Crown Point Shores parking lot). Admission $100 (adult team) ~ $85 (high school team) ~ $75 (youth team). (619) 283-5808 x-313. www.holidaybowl.com
San Diego Family Kite Festival, Sun., May 20, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Free. Second annual festival at Telecote Shores. Kite-making, decorating, and flying. Experts share “how to properly fly a kite.” Bring a picnic lunch. Proceeds benefit Rady Children’s Hospital. Maria@Team-q.com or (858) 722-7362. Mission Bay Park, Vacation Isle, off Ingraham Street, Pacific Beach.
Sicilian Festival, Sun., May 20, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free. Music, food, grape stomp, pasta eating contest, cultural and history zone, more at 19th annual festa. Italian cars displayed. Live opera. Entertainment on three stages by the Screamin’ Primas, New York soprano Cristina Fontanelli, percussionist and vocalist Allesandra Belloni, others. Little Italy, India Street at West Date Street, downtown SD.
Target Free Family Day and Festival, Sun., May 20, noon. Free. Enjoy art-making, performances, special tours inspired by museum’s permanent collection and “Echoes of the Past” and “Dyeing Elegance” exhibitions. SD Museum of Art, 1450 El Prado, Balboa Park.
Encinitas Sprint Triathlon 2012, Sun., May 20, 9 a.m. $80-$125. So many sports, so little time! Encinitas Sports Festival concludes with triathlons, relay, and duathlon, as well as health and fitness expo. Moonlight Beach, 200 B St., Encinitas.
Loop the Big Bay, Sun., May 20, 9 a.m. Knickerbikers celebrate birthday of leader Joi with 25- or 50-mile ride. Participants will cycle around the big bay to Coronado for lunch at the Ferry Landing (bring money). Don’t want to ride 50 miles? Take ferry back to starting point (at 25-mile mark). (858) 450-0373 or (619) 787-7427. County Administration Building, 1600 Pacific Hwy, San Diego.
SD UFO Society Meets, Sun., May 20, 2-5 p.m. Guest Cynthia Crawford (contactee, experiencer, hybrid!) World known for E.T. sculptures. Life long E.T & Paranormal experiences. Fees: $15 public. $10 members. First time guests $7! Info: Alma, (619) 925-8023. Joyce Beers Uptown Community Center, 3900 Vermont St.
Afternoon of Jazz, Sun., May 20, 1 p.m. Free-$12. Family friendly concert with performances by classical pianist and ragtime specialist Virginia Eskin; jazz fusion by Jewazz; music videos of a variety of styles and sounds; a musical petting zoo. Eskin and Yochanan Winston (flute and sax) play selections by Copland, Mendelssohn, Berlin, Gershwin. David and Dorothea Garfield Theatre, 4126 Executive Drive, La Jolla.
Children’s Book Festival. Sun., May 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Meet authors and illustrators of children’s books and young adult books including Ned Vizzini (It’s Kind of a Funny Story), James Burks (Gabby and Gator), Kelly Bennet (Mommy Was Just Like You), PJ Haarsma (The Software Series), DJ MacHale (the Pendragon series), Jerry Cesak (My Personal Panther), others. Vendor booths, activities for young readers. La Mesa Village Plaza, 8100 La Mesa Blvd., La Mesa.
North Park Festival of Arts. Sun., May 20, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Free-$35. Entertainment on five stages by bands, dance ensembles. More than 40 artists showcase work in variety of media. Specialty and food vendors. Hands-on art area for kids. On “Craft Beer Block,” enjoy 12 four-ounce samples from San Diego breweries served in commemorative glass ($30 in advance, $35 at door). (619) 294-2501. North Park, University Ave. (between 30th and 32nd St.).
Lab Open House, Sun., May 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Learn about marine research in SD and local ecosystems during open house showcasing marine research facilities. Research talks, guided lab tours, turtle tracking demonstration, fish printing, marine science music videos, touch tank, games, more. Info: mebsa.cmil@gmail.com. Coastal and Marine Institute Laboratory, 4165 Spruance Rd., San Diego, 92101.
Stamp-Collecting Show, Sundays, May 20, June 10, July 15, Aug. 12, Sept. 9, Oct., 21, 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free. Stamp and cover dealers offer their wares. 619-218-7835. Al Bahr Shrine Center, 5440 Kearny Mesa Rd., Kearny Mesa.
Grunion Run with Scripps! Tues., May 22, 10:30 p.m.-12:45 a.m. and Wed., June 6, 10:45 p.m.-12:45 a.m. $10-$12. Ages 6+. See hundreds of grunion ride waves onto La Jolla beaches to spawn. Before hitting beach, see grunion hatch before your eyes during presentation about this mysterious fish. Prepare for cool, wet conditions. Bring a flashlight. Kids 6-13 may attend with a paid adult. Reservations required (858) 534-7336. Birch Aquarium at Scripps.