The 5th Annual Heritage of Aloha Festival returned to Heritage Park in Santa Fe Springs this past weekend. Free to attend for all ages, this Hawaiian/Polynesian cultural fair contained numerous cultural vendors, food, treats, games, music, dance, entertainment, and more. Most of the action revolved around the main stage, where they had the music, dance, speakers, occasional comedians, actors, and more. Spread throughout the park, visitors could stroll through the dozens of vendors selling things from accessories, apparel, house goods, food, treats, trinkets, souvenirs, and beyond. At the far end of the park, visitors found the food stalls plus the games for the children to win toys at. Due to the small size of the park, the organizers had to fit everything in to a tight space, meaning that visitors could stroll through the entire festival within ten minutes or so. Regardless, anyone who visited surely had a great time checking out all the different cultural goods around. Support this local festival by liking them on Facebook.
Posts Tagged ‘Santa Fe Springs’
Swaying Our Hips To The Wind at the 5th Annual Heritage of Aloha Festival
Posted: May 25, 2017 in Events, Los Angeles, MusicTags: All Ages, Events, Fair, food, Free, Hawaiian, Heritage of Aloha, Heritage Park, Los Angeles County, May 2017, Music, Santa Fe Springs
Preview: The 5th Annual Heritage of Aloha Festival
Posted: May 16, 2017 in Events, Los Angeles, MusicTags: All Ages, Events, Fair, food, Free, Hawaiian, Heritage of Aloha, Heritage Park, Los Angeles County, May 2017, Music, Santa Fe Springs
The Heritage of Aloha Festival returns to Heritage Park in Santa Fe Springs for its fifth year running this weekend. Free to attend for all ages, this Hawaiian/Polynesian cultural fair contains numerous cultural vendors, food, treats, games, music, dance, entertainment, and more. Most of the action revolves around the main stage, where they have the music, dance, speakers, occasional comedians, actors, and more. Spread throughout the park, visitors can stroll through the dozens of vendors selling things from accessories, apparel, house goods, food, treats, trinkets, souvenirs, and beyond. At the far end of the park, visitors may find the food stalls plus the games for the children to win toys at. Due to the small size of the park, the organizers tend to fit everything in to a tight space, meaning that visitors can stroll through the entire festival within ten minutes or so. Regardless, anyone who visits surely will have a great time checking out all the different cultural goods around. Support this local festival by liking them on Facebook.
Upcoming Events: May 15-21, 2017
Posted: May 15, 2017 in Animals, Art, Beer, Burgers, Cars, Country, Drinks, Events, Food, Hot Women, Inland Empire, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Music, Orange County, Punk Rock, Restaurant, San Diego, Sports, WineTags: 38 Degrees, AirFest, Alhambra, American Craft Beer Week, Anaheim, Arcadia, Art Walk, Balboa Island, Balboa Park, Beer Belly, Belmont Shore, Beverly Hills, Bike to Work Day, Bixby Knolls, Booze & Glory, Brea, Burgers, Car Show, Center Street Promenade, Comic Con, Costa Mesa, Country, Culver City. Eeeeeats Con, D6 Night Market, Dark Nights, DomCon, East LA, Eaton Canyon, Escondido, Events, Extreme Dimensions, Fantasia Comic Con, Fiesta del Sol, Flavor of L.A., Fullerton, Great Donut Run, Greek, Hama Expo, Hangar 24, Heritage of Aloha, Hollywood, Home & Garden Show, HorrorCon, Huntington Beach, Indio, Irvine, Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, Koreatown, LA Live, LA State Historic Park, Lager Fest, Laguna Beach, LitFest, Lobster, Long Beach, Long Beach Pride, Los Angeles, Maritime Museum, May 2017, McFadden Public Market, Mira Mesa, Mission Beach, Monrovia, Monrovia Days, Motorcycles, Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Museum of Man, Museums of the Arroyo, Natural History Museum, North Park, OC Beer Week, OC Brewers Guild, OC Night Market, OC Roller Derby, OMBAC, Orange, Orange County, Oxnard, Paper Mart, Pasadena, Pirates, Pomona, Redlands, San Diego, Santa Ana, Santa Anita Park, Santa Clarita, Santa Fe Springs, Santa Monica, Sierra Pelona Valley, Skyline, Smog City Brewing, Solana Beach, South Bay, Spring Awakening Festival, Strawberry Festival, Stroll & Savor, Surf 'n' Suds, Taco Fest, Taste of Pasadena, Taste of the Nation, Taste Of The World, Torrance, Tustin, Uncorked, Venice, Venice Art Crawl, Ventura, Vintage, Whimsic Alley, Yorba Linda
American Craft Beer Week
May 15-21
Nationwide
http://www.craftbeer.com/news-and-events/american-craft-beer-week
Celebrate the joy and passion of craft beer all week throughout the United States. All week long, thousands of restaurants, gastropubs, bars, pubs, breweries, and more will participate in ACBW with beer specials, food specials, special events, and more. Consult with your favorite local establishment and ask about their plans for ACBW.
McFadden Public Market Grand Opening
11:00 am – 10:00 pm, May 15
McFadden Public Market, Santa Ana
http://www.mcfaddenmarket.com/
A new food hall officially opens their doors to the public today in Downtown Santa Ana. All day, receive 25% off all purchases. The first 100 visitors receive a goodie bag with a free food taster voucher plus $2 in arcade tokens. This event costs nothing to attend – simply show up, and check out the place.
Taste of Pasadena Bike Ride
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, May 16
Del Mar Gold Line Station, Pasadena
http://bikeshare.metro.net/
http://www.eventbrite.com/e/taste-of-pasadena-ride-tickets-33983218722
Bring out your bike and tour Pasadena this Tuesday night all while enjoying local bites and sips. This event costs nothing to attend but you must still register on the website. All participants must use their own bicycles and gear.
DomCon LA 2017
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 17
11:00 am – 12:00 am, May 18
11:00 am – 2:00 am, May 19
10:00 am – 2:00 am, May 20
11:00 am – 12:00 am, May 21
Los Angeles Hilton LAX, Los Angeles
http://domconla.com/
A conference for all things BDSM returns to Los Angeles this weekend. This conference will feature dozens of vendors, classes, workshops, parties, socials, shows, and more. Registration widely ranges depending on what events you want to attend, from $10 up to $125. No one under 18 may attend.
Belmont Shore Stroll & Savor
5:30 pm – 9:00 pm, May 17-18
Along 2nd Street, Belmont Shore
http://www.belmontshore.org/stroll-savor/
This “Taste of Belmont Shore” occurs during the summer months annually from May through August on the third Wednesday and the Thursday immediately after. Attendees may purchase booklets of 12 tickets for $10, and redeem these tickets for food & drink samples from various restaurants along 2nd Street.
Wizards Farewell Late Night Private Shopping Experience
6:00 pm – 9:00 pm, May 17
Whimsic Alley, Los Angeles
http://www.whimsicalley.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/1241210712663627/
Whimsic Alley will have a closed shopping experience this Wednesday night. Get a free ticket via the event page linked above, and you can enter and shop there.
Bike to Work Day 2017
6:00 am – 9:00 am, May 18
Los Angeles County
http://www.metro.net/riding/bike-month/
This Thursday, LA Metro would like to encourage you to ride a bike to work instead of drive. Throughout the county, keep an eye out for pit stops containing snacks, coffee, and encouragement to ride.
Burgers & Brew
6:00 pm – 8:00 pm, May 18
San Diego Museum of Man, Balboa Park, San Diego
http://www.museumofman.org/event/burgers-brews/
Enjoy tastings from several popular local breweries, snack on a variety of delicious burgers, take fun snapshots in the photo booth, explore exciting exhibits, and revel in the festive atmosphere inside one of San Diego’s top museums. Admission costs $30. No one under 21 may participate.
2nd Annual Venice Art Crawl
6:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 18
Venice Beach
http://www.veniceartcrawl.com/
Venice gets their own art walk this week, complete with a plethora of events that will take place throughout Venice. Check the website for a full list of art exhibits and other art events taking place.
Ese: Live in Southern California
8:00 pm – 2:00 am, May 18, Blacklight District Lounge, Long Beach
7:00 pm – 12:00 am, May 19, The World Famous Doll Hut, Anaheim
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, May 20, Cafe NELA, Los Angeles
8:00 pm – 2:00 am, May 21, Diego’s Rock n Roll Bar, Santa Ana
http://www.facebook.com/ESEtexas
Houston Texas punk rock band Ese will perform a bunch of shows in Southern California this week. No one under 21 may enter any of these shows.
2nd Annual Orange County Beer Week
May 19-28
Orange County
http://ocbrewers.org/oc-beer-week/
This 10-day beer celebration covers all of Orange County, starting with a beer fest at the Fullerton Arboretum. During this period, virtually every restaurant, bar, gastropub, and any other craft beer establishment will host some sort of beer event. Literally hundreds of beer events will take place in Orange County, so for an abridged list, visit the website linked above. Even the website cannot contain every single event! Check with your local favorite brewpub to find out how they will participate. For the purposes of condensing this list, I will not include any event that directly relates to OC Beer Week, as their website will list them all.
3rd Annual Paper Mart Parking Lot Sale
7:00 am – 3:00 pm, May 19
Paper Mart, Orange
http://www.papermart.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/1424401114299027/
Free to attend for all ages, find cheap packing materials and other arts & crafts products this Friday morning in Orange.
2017 Fantasia Comic Con
12:00 pm – 6:00 pm, May 19
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 20-21
Riverside County Fairgrounds, Indio
http://fantasiacon.com/
Palm Desert gets their very own comic convention this weekend in Indio. Check out three days of comics, artists, vendors, merchandise, seminars, autograph signings, cosplay contests, video game tournaments, film/television screenings, and lots more. Tickets range from $10 to $30 depending on your age and when you want to attend.
2017 Orange County Home & Garden Show
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm, May 19
10:00 am – 7:00 pm, May 20
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 21
Anaheim Convention Center, Anaheim
http://www.homeshowconsultants.com/
This FREE all-ages expo will showcase the latest in home improvement, remodeling, interior-design, decorating, landscaping, and more.
2017 Orange County Greek Festival
3:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 19
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 20-21
St. John Greek Orthodox Church, Anaheim
http://ocgreekfest.com/
This annual all-ages Greek fair takes place this weekend between Buena Park and Anaheim. For $3 admission, attendees will find many merchandise vendors, plenty of food, drinks, live music, rides, games, and more. Guests must park in the parking lot behind Sears at the Buena Park Mall, then take the free shuttle to and from the fair.
4th Annual OC Night Market
4:00 pm – 12:00 am, May 19-20
4:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 21
OC Fair & Event Center, Costa Mesa
http://www.ocnightmarket.com/
The popular 626 Night Market comes to Orange County this weekend at the OC Fair in Costa Mesa. This weekend-long all-ages festival brings the nightlife of the east to the west, and shows the locals what goes on at night in populated Asian cities. Visitors will find lots of food, merchandise, live entertainment, music, games, and more. Admission costs $5 per person, while parking costs $8 per vehicle. These night market events always see wall-to-wall people, so expect a big crowd all weekend.
30th Annual Yorba Linda Lobsterfest
5:30 pm – 11:30 pm, May 19
Yorba Linda Community Center, Yorba Linda
http://www.yllobsterfest.com/
For $88 presale or $100 at the door, gain access to all-you-can-eat lobster and steak while supplies last. Attendees will also find a silent auction, live music, a full bar, and more.
Brea Bonanza Days 2017
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm, May 19
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 20-21
W Birch St, Downtown Brea
http://www.breadowntown.com/bonanza-days-2017/
A free and all-ages street fair and country music concert takes place on the streets of Downtown Brea this weekend.
DTLA Dark Nights
6:00 pm – 12:00 am, May 19
L.A. Live, Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.lalive.com/events-calendar/dark-nights
L.A. Live will host their own version of a night market this Friday night in Downtown LA. Free to attend for all ages, visitors can expect to find food vendors, merchandise, live entertainment, dancing, art, and more.
Booze & Glory: Live in Southern California
8:00 am – 1:00 am, May 18, The Garage, Ventura
8:00 pm – 2:00 am, May 19, Characters Sports Bar, Pomona
9:00 pm – 2:00 am, May 20, Alex’s Bar, Long Beach
http://www.boozeandglory.com/
Booze & Glory currently tours across the country, and that tour will swing through Southern California this week. Each show varies in price, so check with the venue for prices. No one under 21 may enter any of these shows.
23rd Annual Muckenthaler Motor Car Festival
8:00 am – 2:00 pm, May 20
10:00 am – 4:00 pm, May 21
Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton
http://www.muckcarshow.org/
See tons of cars, new and old, this weekend at The Muck in Fullerton. In addition, catch food trucks, local breweries, and local musicians as they accent this car festival. Admission to this event costs $5 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday.
1st Annual OTL Tournament & Craft Beer Festival
8:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 20-21
Mariners Point, Mission Beach, San Diego
http://www.ombac.org/
An over-the-line tournament will take place throughout this weekend in San Diego, as well as a craft beer festival on Saturday afternoon. The beer fest will run from 12pm to 4pm on Saturday afternoon and cost $30 to enter. The tournament costs $120 for a three-person team.
Monrovia Days 2017
8:00 am – 9:00 pm, May 20
11:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 21
Library Park, Monrovia
http://www.monroviadays.org/
A free and all-ages event will take place this weekend in Monrovia. Enjoy a city fair complete with games, rides, food, vendors, entertainment, and more.
38th Annual Fiesta del Sol
9:00 am – 9:00 pm, May 20-21
Fletcher Cove, Solana Beach
http://fiestadelsol.net/
Check out this free and all-ages street fair in Solana Beach this weekend, complete with food, vendors, arts & crafts, games, rides, live entertainment, and more.
31st Annual Bug Fair
9:30 am – 5:00 pm, May 20-21
Natural History Museum, Los Angeles
http://nhm.org/site/activities-programs/bug-fair
Explore the world of bugs and insects this weekend at the Natural History Museum in Los Angeles. Admission into the museum costs $27, with discounts available for students and seniors.
Extreme Dimensions 11th Annual Charity Car Show
10:00 am – 3:00 pm, May 20
Extreme Dimensions, Fullerton
http://extremedimensions.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/1085649824897313/
Enjoy a free and all-ages car show in Fullerton this Saturday, loaded with classic cars on display, as well as plenty of vendors and gourmet food trucks.
Pirate Days
10:00 am – 4:00 pm, May 20-21
Maritime Museum, San Diego
http://sdmaritime.org/visit/public-events/pirate-days/
Bring out the family to this all-ages pirate festival featuring live entertainment, music, arts & crafts, games, rides, food, drinks, and more. General admission costs $17, with discounts available for seniors, military, children, and students.
Spring Awakening Festival 2017
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, May 20-21
Eaton Canyon Natural Area, Pasadena
http://www.ecnca.org/
http://www.crazycrow.com/site/event/eaton-canyon-spring-awakening-festival/
At this free and all-ages festival this weekend in Pasadena, visitors will check out Native American culture with arts & crafts, music, dance, food, and more.
5th Annual Heritage of Aloha Festival
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, May 20-21
Heritage Park, Santa Fe Springs
http://www.hooilinafoundation.com/heritage-of-aloha-fest
This FREE and all-ages Hawaiian cultural festival contains food, drinks, live entertainment, music, dancing, arts & crafts, games, contests, and over 70 different vendors.
2017 Beverly Hills Art Show
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 20-21
Beverly Gardens Park, Beverly Hills
http://www.beverlyhills.org/exploring/beverlyhillsartshow/artshowinformation/
Free to attend for all ages, this fair features art from across the nation, showcasing their work for the public to exhibit. Many food trucks will open for business here, and adults can visit and beer and wine garden within the fair. Guests may park for free in nearby parking structures – consult the website for a map of those structures.
2017 California Strawberry Festival
10:00 am – 6:30 pm, May 20-21
College Park, Oxnard
http://strawberry-fest.org/
An all-ages fair/carnival comes to Oxnard this weekend, complete with live entertainment, food, drinks, desserts, rides, games, vendors, arts & crafts, and more. Tickets start at $5, while parking costs $10 per vehicle.
5th Annual Sierra Pelona Valley Wine Festival
11:00 am – 4:00 pm, May 20
Reyes Winery, Santa Clarita
http://www.sierrapelonavintners.com/
General admission costs $85 and starts at 12pm, while VIP admission costs $110 and starts at 11am. All attendees receive free parking, a plate and glass for sampling, a gift bag, and unlimited food and wine tasters while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.
The Californian Vintage Motorcycle Show
11:00 am – 5:30 pm, May 20
Santa Anita Park, Arcadia
http://www.santaanita.com/events/the-californian-motorcycle-show/
$10 gets you in to see lots of classic and modern motorcycles on display in Arcadia this Saturday afternoon.
2017 HorrorCon Jr.
11:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 20
Expo Arts Center, Bixby Knolls, Long Beach
http://www.horrorconinternational.com/
Visit a mini version of the ultimate Halloween & horror convention this Saturday in Long Beach. Find monsters, zombies, ghosts, and other terrifying things along with costumes, merchandise, art, screenings, cosmetics, special guests, and lots more. Admission to this all-ages event costs $8.50.
1st Annual East LA Comic Con
11:00 am – 7:00 pm, May 20
El Gallo Plaza, East Los Angeles
http://eastlacomiccon.com/
East LA gets their very own free and all-ages comic convention this Saturday afternoon. Check out comics, artists, vendors, merchandise, cosplay contests, video game tournaments, film/television screenings, and more.
Venice Spring Fling 7
11:00 am – 7:30 pm, May 20
Windward Plaza, Venice
http://venicespringfling.com/
A free & all-ages music & arts festival will take place in Venice this Saturday afternoon.
Smog City Brewing’s 2017 Anniversary
11:00 am – 10:00 pm, May 20
Smog City Brewing, Torrance
http://www.smogcitybrewing.com/
http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/2904086
Smog City Brewing reaches another birthday this week, and to celebrate, they will have multiple rare beers available for you to try this Saturday. A VIP session will take place from 11am to 1pm featuring exclusive tastings. After 1pm, the doors open to the public, so anyone can come in and drink away.
21st Annual North Park Festival of the Arts + Craft Beer Block
11:00 am – 10:00 pm, May 20
University Ave & 30th Street, San Diego
http://northparkfestivalofarts.com/
This Saturday, San Diego’s North Park hosts a grand street festival comprised of more festivals within the festival! At this all-day festival, guests will experience six stages of live music, live DJ’s, food, food trucks, drinks, dancing, art, and more. Within the festival, guests 21 and over can participate in two different drink tastings. For $40 admission, guests can enter the craft beer block and receive thirteen 4oz beer tastings from any of the over 30 participating breweries. Any guest may park for free all day in the parking structure located at 29th & University. In addition, catch Stone Brewing’s beer garden in front of Bar Pink, which will run from noon to 6pm. This one has no admission – guests pay for the beers they want to drink.
2017 San Diego Taco Fest
11:00 am – 10:00 pm, May 20
Waterfront Park, San Diego
http://sdtacofest.com/
Tacos, drinks, music, dancing, dogs, wrestling, wild women, and lots of other unrelated things collide this Saturday in San diego. General admission costs $30 presale or $35 at the gate and gets you in to this wicked party. Admission does not include food or drinks – it only just gets you inside, so you still have to pay for everything once in. No one under 21 may attend.
6th Annual LitFest Pasadena
11:00 am – 10:00 pm, May 20
11:00 am – 5:00 pm, May 21
Playhouse District, Pasadena
http://litfestpasadena.org/
Check out this free and all-ages event dedicated to books and authors taking place this weekend in Pasadena.
2017 Long Beach Pride Festival & Parade
11:00 am – 10:00 pm, May 20-21
Rainbow Lagoon, Long Beach
http://longbeachpride.com/
An LGBT pride festival takes place this weekend in Long Beach, complete with live entertainment, music, dance, vendors, food, arts & crafts, and more. Admission costs $20 presale or $25 at the door.
2017 Ventura Surf ‘n’ Suds Beer Festival
11:30 am – 5:00 pm, May 20
Ventura Harbor, Ventura
http://surfbeerfest.com/
This beer tasting event in Ventura will have over 45 breweries to choose beer from, as well as local surfboard shapers, local music, food trucks, and more. General admission costs $50 and starts at 12:30pm, while VIP admission costs $65 and starts at 11:30am. All attendees receive unlimited beer tastings while supplies last. No one under 21 may attend.
1st Annual Craft Lager Fest
11:30 am – 12:00 am, May 20
38 Degrees, Alhambra
http://www.38degreesalehouse.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/1928620550700418/
This Saturday, Alhambra’s 38 Degrees Ale House will tap over a dozen different craft lagers for you to try. This event has no admission fee or cover charge – simply show up, and pay for food and drinks as you go.
Beer Belly 6th Anniversary
11:30 am – 1:00 am, May 20
Beer Belly, Koreatown
http://www.beerbellyla.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/148999155639199/
Koreatown’s Beer Belly turns six years old this week, and to celebrate, they will have a bunch of sour ales on tap. They will also hold a wing-eating contest at some point in the day. This event has no admission or cover charge – simply show up, and pay as you go.
Uncorked: Derby Days Summer Wine Fest
12:00 pm – 8:00 pm, May 20
Culver Studios, Culver City
http://uncorkedwinefestivals.com/uncorked-derby-days-wine-fest-2017/
A fancy wine tasting event comes to Culver City this Saturday and will span two different sessions. General admission costs $60 and lasts three hours, from 1pm to 4pm or 5pm to 8pm. VIP admission costs $70 and starts at 12pm, providing four hours of wine tasting. No one under 21 may attend.
Eeeeeats Con
12:00 pm – 9:00 pm, May 20
Barker Hangar, Santa Monica
http://theinfatuation.com/EEEEEATSCON
Sample food from dozens of Los Angeles County restaurants at this all-ages event this Saturday in Santa Monica. General admission costs $40, while VIP admission costs $100 and includes a VIP lanyard, early entry, a water bottle, and gift bag. Admission only gets you in to the event – all attendees will still need to pay for all food or drinks once inside.
Hangar 24 AirFest & 9th Anniversary Celebration
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 20
Redlands Municipal Airport, Redlands
http://www.hangar24airfest.com/
Celebrate Hangar 24 Brewery’s 9th Anniversary with an all-day air show at the Redlands Municipal Airport, located just across the street from the tasting room. Guests gain entry into the airport, where they will witness aerial acrobatics, vintage planes on displays in the hangars, and fireworks shows at night. Live bands will play music all day, and food trucks will keep guests fed and full. Last but not least, Hangar 24 will unleash over 30 beers for consumption, including many rare and limited brews. General admission costs $25 but does not include any beer – guests must purchase drink tickets for that.
1st Annual Hardcore Fest
2:00 pm – 12:00 am, May 20
Fraternal Order of Eagles, Culver City
http://www.facebook.com/events/1885035888451901/
Release some inner aggression at this hardcore punk show this Saturday in Culver City. The cover for this all-ages show costs $8.
Skyline: Art, Music, Food
2:00 pm – 11:00 pm, May 20
LA State Historic Park, Los Angeles
http://radiohillevents.com/
This concert will take place just outside of Downtown LA this Saturday. General admission costs $50, while VIP admission costs $85 and includes access to a VIP area with restrooms and bars. No one under 21 may attend.
4th Annual Best Taste Of Santa Ana
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm, May 20
2nd Street Promenade, Santa Ana
http://www.assistanceleague.org/santa-ana/best-taste-of-santa-ana/
Sample food from Santa Ana restaurants for $30 per person.
2nd Annual OC Brewers Guild Festival
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, May 20
Center Street Promenade, Anaheim
http://ocbrewers.org/
The first festival dedicated to Orange County’s microbreweries and restaurants arrives in Anaheim this Saturday evening. The $60 admission grants you unlimited beer tastings while supplies last. Unlike last year, admission no longer includes food – attendees will need to pay separately for food. No one under 21 may attend. Guests can park in the nearby parking structure for free, or find street parking in the neighborhood south of the venue.
2017 Tustin Lobsterfest
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, May 20
Peppertree Park, Tustin
http://www.tustinlobsterfest.com/
At this annual fundraiser, guests pay $85 presale or $100 at the gate for all-you-can-eat lobster and tri-tip, and other picnic foods like hot dogs, salads, mac & cheese, baked potatoes, various pastries, and more. Each entry ticket comes with an entry to a lottery to win $1000!
D6 Night Market 2017
4:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 20
Mira Mesa Community Park, San Diego
http://d6nightmarket.com/
A night market comes to Mira Mesa in San Diego County this Saturday night, free to attend for all ages. come check out all the food, vendors, music, dancing, games, and more.
OC Roller Derby – Slay the Force Be With You
5:00 pm – 9:00 pm, May 20
The Rinks, Huntington Beach
http://www.ocderby.com/
Watch intense & brutal girl-on-girl action at these back-to-back roller derby bouts this Saturday in Huntington Beach. Tickets to each roller derby bout cost $15.
3rd Annual Asian American Music Festival
5:00 pm – 9:30 pm, May 20
Japanese American Cultural & Community Center, Downtown Los Angeles
http://asianamericanmusicfestival.net/
Enjoy some traditional and modern Asian music this Saturday night in Downtown LA. General admission ranges from $30 to $50 depending on where you want to sit. VIP admission costs $250 and includes a VIP reception.
L.A. Life Run
6:00 am – 11:00 am, May 21
L.A. Live, Downtown Los Angeles
http://renegaderaceseries.com/la-life-run
Run through Downtown Los Angeles this Sunday morning and check out some of Downtown LA’s most iconic buildings. Registration ranges from $18 to $50 based on the distance you intend to run.
The Great Donut Run
8:00 am – 11:00 am, May 21
Irvine Valley College, Irvine
http://www.greatdonutrun.com/
Eat donuts and go on a run this Sunday morning in Irvine. Registration ranges from $25 to $45 based on your age and how long you want to run for.
23rd Annual Balboa Island Artwalk
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, May 21
Balboa Island, Newport Beach
http://www.balboaislandartwalk.info/Artwalk/Balboa_Island_Artwalk.html
Check out the best in local art at this free & all-ages art festival on the island this Sunday. Attendees can view paintings, jewelry, glass, sculptures, photography, and more. Local bands will play music throughout the day all over the island.
Escondido Downtown Street Faire
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, May 21
Grand Ave, Downtown Escondido
http://www.escondido.org/escondido-street-faire.aspx
Here at this free and all-ages street fair, visitors will find over 500 vendors, arts & crafts, food, drinks, games, live entertainment, and more.
Hama Expo 2017
10:00 am – 9:00 pm, May 21
Alpha Upholsterers, Westlake
http://www.facebook.com/events/101837407057258/
A free and all-ages event comes to Westlake this Sunday that involves Japanese cultures and the dog Hamachi.
Museums of the Arroyo Day
12:00 pm – 5:00 pm, May 21
Museums of the Arroyo, Pasadena
http://www.museumsofthearroyo.com/
Six museums in Los Angeles and Pasadena will have free admission this Sunday during the listed times.
Rock Against Racism
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 21
Characters Sports Bar, Pomona
http://www.facebook.com/events/642652532593148/
Enjoy a free local punk rock show this Sunday in Pomona. No one under 21 may enter. Guests can find plenty of free street parking in the area, and can avoid paying to park in the adjacent lot.
Flavor of L.A.
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, May 21
CBS Studio Center Back Lot, Studio City
http://flavorofla.com/
$75 gets you in to sample food and drinks from over a dozen different restaurants this Sunday afternoon in Studio City. No one under 21 may attend.
4th Annual South Bay Beer & Wine Festival
1:00 pm – 5:00 pm, May 21
Ernie Howlett Park, Rolling Hills Estates
http://www.sbbeerwinefest.com/
Enjoy food, beer, and wine at this tasting event this Sunday afternoon in the South Bay. Admission costs $75 presale and includes unlimited tastings while supplies last. VIP admission costs $105 and include various perks such as reserved parking. No one under under 21 may attend.
2017 Taste Of The World
2:00 pm – 5:00 pm, May 21
Madame Tussauds Hollywood, Hollywood
http://latravelmagazine.com/tow/
Sample food and wines at this tasting event in Hollywood this Sunday afternoon. General admission costs $85, while VIP admission costs $125 and includes various goodies and perks. No one under 21 may attend.
Garb Bazaar, a Vintage Clothing Pop Up
2:00 pm – 6:00 pm, May 21
Normal Heights Masonic Center, Normal Heights, San Diego
http://sdvintagefleamarket.com/
http://www.facebook.com/events/1843014842653306/
Check out a free and all-ages clothing pop-up market this Sunday afternoon in San Diego.
Taste of the Nation – Laguna Beach
2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, May 21
Montage Laguna Beach, Laguna Beach
http://ce.nokidhungry.org/events/taste-nation-laguna-beach
Sample culinary creations from some of Orange County’s greatest chefs and restaurants, while quenching your thirst from various wineries, breweries, and other non-alcoholic drink producers. Admission costs $300 and runs from 2pm to 7pm.
Enjoying The Mele And Hula At The 4th Annual Heritage of Aloha Festival
Posted: May 27, 2016 in Events, Los Angeles, MusicTags: All Ages, Events, Fair, food, Free, Hawaiian, Heritage of Aloha, Heritage Park, Los Angeles County, May 2016, Music, Santa Fe Springs
The 4th Annual Heritage of Aloha Festival returned to Heritage Park in Santa Fe Springs this past weekend. Free to attend for all ages, this Hawaiian/Polynesian cultural fair contained numerous cultural vendors, food, treats, games, music, dance, entertainment, and more. Most of the action revolved around the main stage, where they had the music, dance, speakers, occasional comedians, actors, and more. Spread throughout the park, visitors could stroll through the dozens of vendors selling things from accessories, apparel, house goods, food, treats, trinkets, souvenirs, and beyond. At the far end of the park, visitors found the food stalls plus the games for the children to win toys at. Due to the small size of the park, the organizers had to fit everything in to a tight space, meaning that visitors could stroll through the entire festival within ten minutes or so. Regardless, anyone who visited surely had a great time checking out all the different cultural goods around. Support this local festival by liking them on Facebook.
Upcoming Events: May 12-18, 2014
Posted: May 12, 2014 in Art, Beer, Burlesque, Cars, Drinks, Events, Food, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Music, Orange County, Punk Rock, San Diego, Sports, WineTags: 13th Frame Lounge, After Dark, AirFest, American Craft Beer Week, Anaheim, Anti-Nowhere League, Art Show, Balboa Island, Baldwin Park, Belmont Shore, Beverly Hills, Bite at the Beach, Blacklight District Lounge, Blank Expressions, Brew Rendezvous, Bubble Run, Burlesque, Car Show, Chinatown, Comedy Shorts, Dance Downtown, Dirty Little Secrets, Doll Hut, Escondido, Events, Fullerton, Greek, Hangar 24, Heritage of Aloha, HM157, Irvine, La Habra, Little Italy, Lobster, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Los Globos, Manhattan Beach, May 2014, Monterey Park, Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Newport Beach, North Park, One Way System, Orange County, Punk Rock, Qualcomm Stadium, Redlands, Renegade Race Series, Run or Dye, Saint Archer Brewery, San Clemente, San Diego, San Dimas, Santa Fe Springs, Sicilian Festival, SILO in Makers Quarter, Silverlake, Street Fair, Stroll & Savor, Taiwanese, Tap Takeover, The Skeptix, Trail Run, Tustin, Whitekaps, Wine
American Craft Beer Week
May 12-18
Nationwide
http://www.craftbeer.com/news-and-events/american-craft-beer-week
Celebrate the joy and passion of craft beer all week throughout the United States. All week long, thousands of restaurants, gastropubs, bars, pubs, breweries, and more will participate in ACBW with beer specials, food specials, special events, and more. Consult with your favorite local establishment and ask about their plans for ACBW.
Saint Archer Tap Takeover
4:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 13
The Cellar, San Clemente
http://www.facebook.com/events/390953054380903/
Celebrate American Craft Beer Week this Tuesday night with Saint Archer Brewing in San Clemente. Receive a 4-beer flight for just $10 during this tap takeover. Buy the flight and another pint, and take home a souvenir Saint Archer pint glass!
Belmont Shore Stroll & Savor
5:30 pm – 9:00 pm, May 14-15
Along 2nd Street, Belmont Shore
http://www.belmontshore.org/events.html
This “Taste of Belmont Shore” occurs during the summer months annually from May through August on the third Wednesday and the Thursday immediately after. Attendees may purchase booklets of 12 tickets for $10, and redeem these tickets for food & drink samples from various restaurants along 2nd Street. Buy tickets presale now at Olives Gourmet, La Strada, We Olive, Mail Boxes etc. & Sweet Jill’s, or purchase tickets in front of CHASE BANK during the event.
Chinatown After Dark
5:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 15
Chinatown, Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.chinatownla.com/calendar.php?eventId=83
Chinatown enters the Night Market field this Thursday night, as Chinatown transforms into an outdoor nighttime market filled with live entertainment, vendors, food, and more. Free for all ages, guests should park east of Spring St and/or north of College St.
6th Annual Los Angeles Comedy Shorts Film Festival
5:00 pm – 12:00 am, May 15
9:30 am – 1:00 am, May 16
10:30 am – 1:00 am, May 17
10:30 am – 12:00 am, May 18
Downtown Independent Theater, Downtown Los Angeles
http://lacomedyshorts.com/2014/
Watch some funny short films by local people all this weekend in Downtown Los Angeles. Besides all the film screenings, numerous after-parties will take place around town. Passes to the festival cost $60 for Friday or Saturday, $40 for Sunday, or $159 for Friday through Sunday.
Orange County Greek Festival
3:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 16
12:00 pm – 10:00 pm, May 17-18
St. John Greek Orthodox Church, Anaheim
http://ocgreekfest.com/
This annual Greek fair takes place this weekend between Buena Park and Anaheim. Free to attend (with ticket printed online) for all ages, attendees will find many merchandise vendors, plenty of food, drinks, live music, rides, games, and more. Waive the admission by printing the ticket, found on their website. Guests must park in the parking lot behind Sears at the Buena Park Mall, then take the free shuttle to and from the fair.
Hangar 24 AirFest & 6th Anniversary Celebration
4:00 pm – 9:00 pm, May 16
9:00 am – 9:00 pm, May 17
Redlands Municipal Airport, Redlands
http://www.hangar24airfest.com/
Celebrate Hangar 24 Brewery’s 6th Anniversary with an all-day air show at the Redlands Municipal Airport, located just across the street from the tasting room. Guests gain entry into the airport, where they will witness aerial acrobatics, vintage planes on displays in the hangars, and fireworks shows at night. Live bands will play music all day, and food trucks will keep guests fed and full. Last but not least, Hangar 24 will unleash over 30 beers for consumption, including many rare and limited brews. Admission to this event varies in price depending on the day and parking, ranging from $5 to $20.
Dance Downtown: 60’s Night
6:30 pm – 10:00 pm, May 16
Music Center Plaza, Downtown Los Angeles
http://www.musiccenter.org/events/activearts/Dance-Downtown/Upcoming-Events/60s-Night/
Dress up in 60’s attire, show up to the spot in Downtown LA, and dance the night away at this free and all-ages dance-a-thon.
The Skeptix: Live in Baldwin Park
7:00 pm – 1:00 am, May 16
American Legion Post 241, Baldwin Park
http://www.facebook.com/events/628565710547002/
Catch UK punk legends The Skeptix as they headline a show this Friday night in Baldwin Park. Entry to this all-ages show costs $10.
Anti-Nowhere League and T.S.O.L. – On Tour
7:00 pm – 1:00 am, May 16, The Observatory, Santa Ana http://www.observatoryoc.com/events/cockney-anl
6:00 pm – 12:00 am, May 17, 333 Live, Downtown Los Angeles http://www.showsincalifornia.com/Shows/Event/22048
6:30 pm – 12:30 am, May 18, House of Blues, San Diego http://www.houseofblues.com/sandiego/events/eventdetail/?viewNav=/event-detail&eventId=0A004C57D3DF40B1&oid=0
Some big names in punk rock go on tour this week. Tickets to these all-ages concerts cost around $18.
Music & Burlesque Night @ HM157
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, May 16
HM157, Northeast Los Angeles
http://www.facebook.com/events/280427012133524/
Enter a night of music and burlesque this Friday night in northeast LA. The cover for this all-ages event costs $7. Visitors should look for street parking and avoid lots, as the nearby lots have tow trucks patrolling them.
Blank Expressions @ The World Famous Doll Hut
8:00 pm – 1:00 am, May 16
The World Famous Doll Hut, Anaheim
http://www.facebook.com/events/231452297060614/
Catch Blank Expressions as they headline this show at the World Famous Doll Hut in Anaheim this Friday night. The cover for this show costs $5. No one under 21 may attend.
Renegade 3 Mile Trail Run Challenge
6:30 am – 10:30 am, May 17
Frank G. Bonelli Regional Park, San Dimas
http://www.renegaderaceseries.com/index.php?view=details&id=34%3Avasque-renegade-3-mile-trail-run-challenge&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=146
This fun run takes runners through dirt and other sorts of uneven trails, even passing through a stream. Registration costs $35, and comes with an event t-shirt, a goody bag, and access to the mini expo & festival after the run.
Bubble Run Los Angeles
8:00 am – 12:00 pm, May 17
Verizon Wireless Amphitheater, Irvine
http://www.bubblerun.com/events/los-angeles/
Tired of the same 5k run everywhere? If you have had your fill of color runs and glow runs, try your hand at the Bubble Run. Participants wear all white and run through colored foam bogs in this 5k race around the UCI campus. Registration costs $40, and all levels of runners may participate. Space will fill up fast, so register early, and try to carpool to this event.
20th Annual Muckenthaler Motor Car Festival
8:00 am – 4:00 pm, May 17-18
Muckenthaler Cultural Center, Fullerton
http://www.muckcarshow.org/
See tons of cars, new and old, this weekend at The Muck in Fullerton. In addition, catch food trucks, local breweries, and local musicians as they accent this car festival. Admission to this event costs $5 on Saturday and $10 on Sunday.
Run or Dye – San Diego
9:00 am – 12:00 pm, May 17
Qualcomm Stadium, San Diego
http://www.runordye.com/locations/San-Diego
Color runs have surged in popularity recently. This all-ages run takes place this Saturday morning at Qualcomm Stadium. As with any color run, runners should wear all white to absorb the most color by the end of the run. Registration costs $57, and the race starts at 9am. Take warning: thousands of runners all start at one time. Do not get caught in traffic & parking nightmare – arrive at least an hour early.
2nd Annual Heritage of Aloha Festival 2014
10:00 am – 5:00 pm, May 17-18
Heritage Park, Santa Fe Springs
http://www.hooilinafoundation.com/heritage-of-aloha-fest
This FREE and all-ages Hawaiian cultural festival contains food, drinks, live entertainment, music, dancing, arts & crafts, games, contests, and over 70 different vendors.
Beverly Hills Art Show
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 17-18
Beverly Gardens Park, Beverly Hills
http://www.beverlyhills.org/exploring/beverlyhillsartshow/artshowinformation/
Free to attend for all ages, this fair features art from across the nation, showcasing their work for the public to exhibit. Many food trucks will open for business here, and adults can visit and beer and wine garden within the fair. Guests may park for free in nearby parking structures – consult the website for a map of those structures.
16th Annual Taiwanese American Heritage Week Festival
10:00 am – 7:00 pm, May 17-18
Barnes Park, Monterey Park
http://www.tahwla.org/
At this free festival for all ages, guests will celebrate Taiwanese culture with live music, dance performances, food, games, raffles, merchandise vendors, art exhibits, and more.
18th Annual North Park Festival of the Arts + Craft Beer Block
11:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 17
University Ave & 30th Street, San Diego
http://northparkfestivalofarts.com/
This Saturday, San Diego’s North Park hosts a grand street festival comprised of more festivals within the festival! At this all-day festival, guests will experience six stages of live music, live DJ’s, food, food trucks, drinks, dancing, art, and more. Within the festival, guests 21 and over can participate in two different drink tastings. For $30 admission, guests can enter the craft beer block and receive thirteen 4oz beer tastings from any of the over 30 participating breweries. Any guest may park for free all day in the parking structure located at 29th & University. In addition, catch Stone Brewing’s beer garden in front of Bar Pink, which will run from noon to 6pm. This one has no admission – guests pay for the beers they want to drink.
1st Annual Bite at the Beach
2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, May 17
MBS Media Campus, Manhattan Beach
http://www.manhattanbeachchamber.com/bite-at-the-beach/
20 restaurants and 20 breweries come together to create an afternoon of beer pairings with food. General admission costs $100, starts at 3pm, and includes unlimited tastes of food and beer. VIP admission costs $200, starts at 2pm, and includes exclusive hors d’oeuvres and Samuel Adams barrel beer tastings. No one under 21 may attend. If you must take away one thing from this event, a major beer company sponsors it.
Tustin Lobsterfest
4:00 pm – 8:00 pm, May 17
Peppertree Park, Tustin
http://www.tustinlobsterfest.com/
At this annual fundraiser, guests pay $75 for all-you-can-eat lobster and tri-tip, and other picnic foods like hot dogs, salads, mac & cheese, baked potatoes, various pastries, and more. Each entry ticket comes with an entry to a lottery to win $1000!
19th Annual Wine, Brews & Blues Festival
5:30 pm – 10:00 pm, May 17
CA Center for the Arts, Escondido
http://www.bonsallrotary.com/
Enjoy wines from over 80 wineries, beers from local microbreweries, food from over 20 local restaurants & chefs, and blues music from various local musicians. Admission to this festival costs $75 per person, or $55 for non-drinkers.
Free Punk Show in Long Beach
7:00 pm – 1:00 am, May 17
Blacklight District Lounge, Long Beach
http://www.facebook.com/events/649527588429130/
Watch some great local punk rock bands for FREE this Saturday night at the Blacklight District Lounge in Long Beach. No one under 21 may enter.
Whitekaps: Live in La Habra
7:00 pm – 1:00 am, May 17
13th Frame Lounge, La Habra
http://www.facebook.com/events/289643037852615/
Orange County old school punk band Whitekaps will headline this local show this Saturday night in La Habra. The cover for this all-ages show costs $10.
20th Annual Balboa Island Artwalk
9:00 am – 5:00 pm, May 18
Balboa Island, Newport Beach
http://www.balboaislandartwalk.info/Artwalk/Balboa_Island_Artwalk.html
Check out the best in local art at this free & all-ages art festival on the island this Sunday. Attendees can view paintings, jewelry, glass, sculptures, photography, and more. Local bands will play music throughout the day all over the island.
Escondido Downtown Street Faire
9:30 am – 5:30 pm, May 18
Grand Ave, Downtown Escondido
http://www.escondido.org/escondido-street-faire.aspx
Here at this free and all-ages street fair, visitors will find over 500 vendors, arts & crafts, food, drinks, games, live entertainment, and more.
21st Annual Sicilian Festival
10:00 am – 6:00 pm, May 18
Little Italy, San Diego
http://sicilianfesta.com/
Immerse yourself in Italian culture at this free and all-ages festival this Sunday in San Diego. Guests can eat authentic Italian food while enjoying live music, dance performances, rides, games, and more. Arrive early to look for free street parking.
2nd Annual Brew Rendezvous
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm, May 18
SILO in Makers Quarter, San Diego
http://www.sdchip.org/support-chip/brew-rendezvous.aspx
Support local businesses at this fundraiser/beer fest, where guests will receive beer and food from San Diego’s top breweries, restaurants, and farms. Admission costs $55, and comes with unlimited beer and food while it lasts. Non-drinkers may attend for $25. The venue typically covers parking; however, have cash available in case they decide to charge for parking that day. No one under 21 may attend.
One Way System: Live in Silverlake
6:30 pm – 12:30 am, May 18
Los Globos, Silverlake
http://www.clublosglobos.com/event/576825-punks-not-dead-production-los-angeles/
UK punk legends One Way System will headline a show in Silverlake this Sunday night as part of their U.S. tour. Tickets to this all-ages show cost $10 presale or $12 at the door. Guests should park in the neighborhood down Vendome St.
Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet: Spring Craft Beer Festival – Still in the Bridesmaid Zone
Posted: April 18, 2013 in Beer, Events, Food Truck, Los Angeles, MusicTags: April 2013, Beer, Beer Fest, Craft Beer, Events, Fest, Food Trucks, Los Angeles, Santa Fe Springs, Swap Meet
Did you watch Season 6 (2011) of America’s Got Talent? If so, do you remember Sandou Trio Russian Bar, the magnificent high-flying acrobatic act that made it all the way to the semifinals? Recall what happened in the semifinals. In spite of all positive momentum, the trio abandoned their danger act and converted to a singing act. This sudden spontaneous “mood swing” ultimately caused their downfall, and disappointed many who had placed a great deal of faith in them. Lesson learned: stick to one or a few of your best skills, and build on them. When you branch out and start trying something new with no prior experience, that recipe will only end in failure. Suffice to say, here in Southern California, the folks at the Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet attempted this same feat of hosting an event in unfamiliar territory.
The Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet decided to hold a Spring Craft Beer Festival this past Saturday night. Known for its attraction to budget-conscious customers, this swap meet usually books local tribute bands to keep customers entertained on weekends. However, this past weekend, they wanted to try something different by adding craft beer to the mix. With a forlorn stubborn attitude, the organizers marched head-on into battle, unaware of the consequences. As per the above visual, once the 6:30 start time came around, all guests remained on the outside in one massively long line. Does this remind you of something? When the event staff cannot properly handle incoming attendees, already you can tell something went wrong. As I waited in line, I discovered that nearly everyone else in line had never attended a beer fest prior to this. I feel sorry that their first beer fest greeted them with this long line, and an even bigger frustration to come.
Once the guests enter, each guest receives only five drink tickets, good for a 7oz pour of beer each. Five drink tickets * 7oz pours = two pints plus a sampler. Consider that presale costs $15, and the more recent tickets cost $25 each. Does the swap meet care that much about money to blatantly rip off guests that much? Also, for a sold-out beer fest, it took place in a small, cramped picnic area in the center of the swap meet. Even the food trucks struggled to fit snugly between the poles in the picnic area. All the breweries represented did not bring any special or limited beers – anybody could purchase any of the beers available here elsewhere all year round. Most of the breweries represented did not bring any representatives from the brewery to this fest – only Stone and Hangar 24 sent a representative.
If you thought the line to enter the fest took too long to get through, you had not seen anything yet. Even the staff from the Grilled Cheese Truck, notorious for bringing long lines of customers everywhere, could not believe what transpired at this beer fest. At a typical beer fest, a line forms for every brewery or every beer available at the fest. This beer fest decided to keep most of the beer in one location: the booth by the picnic area. The result? One endlessly long line of people trying to drink some beer tasters. This line stretched all the way to the entrance of the fest, then curled back around. Just to add salt to the abrasion, all attendees could only receive up to two beers at a time. I should not have to describe the anger and frustration of all the guests in line, as it goes without saying. The swap meet’s staff that ran the beer taps would not even bend the rules to make life easier for the guests, choosing to operate strictly by the book. For an event advertised as a beer fest, this fest operated nothing like a full-fledged beer fest, and will sadly leave a sour taste in many of the attendees’ mouths. Personally, I believe that most of the attendees purchased the entry ticket moreso for the bands than the beer.
Furthermore, the organizers offered 100 VIP tickets for this fest. VIP ticketholders received access to a side area with less congestion, complimentary food, and a no-wait line for unlimited beer. Once I stepped foot into this zone, a massive wave of relief swept over me, as I felt all the pent up stress just wash away. Thanks to Garlic Scapes for getting me in to this area. Usually for a beer fest with VIP tickets, guests expect a narrow ratio of VIP to general admission; however, with only 100 VIP tickets sold compared to the over a thousand general admission, a ratio of less than 10% seems unfair. Perhaps this VIP area represents a metaphor for the social unbalance of the community, where the rich and fortunate enjoy luxury, while the working class must slave away to barely get by. Perhaps I peered too deep into this, and just needed an outlet for my frustration of a bad beer fest.
Of course, I cannot dock them for all the mistakes, because they committed fixable mistakes. The long lines caused the most concerns, and the organizers can circumvent that problem by planning ahead. For the entrance line, simply adapt the wristband method that all major beer fests use. Instead of one line to enter and check ID’s and tickets, have a separate line for checking tickets in and receiving wristbands for quick entry. This allows guests to pick up their wristband before the event starts, and prevents wasting much time in a line to get in. This also makes it easier for security to allow guests in, as guests simply have to show the wristband. As for the long line to receive beer, no beer fest keeps all the beer in one spot. They have to disperse the beer all around the fest area, which will disperse the single long line into multiple shorter lines. To not knock on the food trucks, do not allow vendors selling cheaper, lower quality food to operate. This fest not only had a guy selling cheap bags of popcorn, but another guy selling $2 hot dogs out of a cart.
Sadly, many guests entered this beer fest as their first beer fest ever, not knowing what to expect. After such a lousy time, most of them will not even want to consider a beer fest anymore in the future. I will admit – some get it right, others get it wrong. I have seen quite an amount of bad beer fests, but I have seen more of the better beer fests. This goes without saying, but always research any event you plan to attend to gain a glimpse of what to expect. The Santa Fe Springs Swap Meet would like to hold another beer fest within the next year. Will they get it right? Will just as many people attend the next one? Only time will tell. We can only hope they will move in the right direction.