North County and San Diego County Events – May 2016 is sure to entertain with rodeos, festivals, fun beach events, movies, music and art.
Carlsbad Village Faire
May 1
Location: Carlsbad, Grand Ave from Carlsbad Blvd to Jefferson St
North County’s favorite street fair is returning to The Village the first Sunday in May. The streets will come alive with the sights and smells of fair-time as 800 vendors set up unique booths, fairgoers search for handmade gifts, try mouthwatering foods, and have some fun in the sun.
The Carlsbad Village Faire – the largest one-day street fair in the nation – will take place from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Sunday, May 1.The fair stretches 14 blocks. Grand Avenue from Carlsbad Boulevard to Jefferson Street, and all of the cross streets in between, would be close for the event. Each year, the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce hosts the fair in May and November. Now in its 43rd year, the free event has grown to be so popular that it not only continually attracts people from all over Southern California, but also from other states.
The fair draws over 100,000 visitors with its 800 unique vendor booths offering handcrafted arts and gifts, art, antiques, jewelry, unique clothing, home décor, plants and more. The international food court will once again feature more than 50 booths serving everything from Thai to Hawaiian cuisine. The children’s area will entertain youngsters with games, a super slide, a bounce house, a rock climbing wall, and face painting.
The Rotary Club of Carlsbad’s beer garden will entertain fairgoers with a large screen TV and live bands. The Kiwanis Club of Carlsbad will continue its more than 25-year tradition of hosting a pancake breakfast at the Carlsbad railroad depot. The meal, which includes pancakes, sausage, coffee and juice, will be served between 7:00 a.m. and noon.
To make parking more convenient, complimentary shuttles will run to and from the fair. Shuttles will pick up and drop off passengers at the Poinsettia Coaster Station and the west corner of Sears at The Shoppes at Carlsbad.
Julian Wildflower Show
May 4 – 7
Location: Julian, 2129 Main St
The Julian Wildflower Show has been an historical event for over 90 years. Because of Julian’s mountain valley location, bordering a national forest and close to the Anza-Borrego State Park, we have 855 species of plants within 25 miles of town, many of which were used by Native Americans. The Wildflower Show is meant to educate club members, local residents, out-of-town visitors and children about the botanical wealth of Julian and its vicinity.
You know that a lupine plant has many small flowers on each stem. But did you know that a lupine changes the color of a particular flower to signal bees when the pollen and nectar of that flower has already been taken by another bee. The bees know to go on to other flowers and not waste their time. The lupine plant benefits by a more efficient and successful pollination. In the past people thought animals were not smart; they were even referred to as “dumb animals.” Now we know otherwise. Consider dogs, cats, horses, dolphins, and pigs to mention a few. They are known to be quite intelligent.
But what about plants? Past and current research is showing that plants are much smarter than we thought. The lupine is one of many examples. They can acquire information, communicate, problem solve, and recognize their own kind. We need to think of plants in new ways. Hence this year’s wildflower show theme – “Smarty Plants?” The show itself will be basically the same as in past years, but will include information on the capabilities of plants. It is hoped that the theme will interest people in coming to the show and in viewing plants in a different light.
Masterpieces for Mom
May 6 – 8
Location: Encinitas, 162 S Rancho Santa Fe Rd
Come meet and mingle with local artists May 6th thru the 8th from 11AM to 9PM at The Rancho Santa Fe Plaza to celebrate Mom on her day with an art gift masterpiece created by local Rancho Santa Fe Art Guild artists.
The public is invited to attend two receptions, free of charge, from 6PM to 8PM on the Friday the 6th and Saturday the 7th of May. The Rancho Santa Fe Plaza is located at 162 Rancho Santa Fe Road Suite B-40 in Encinitas, CA 92024 (in the plaza next to The Rancho Santa Fe Foundation Community room space and across the parking lot form The Pancake House). Complimentary food and drink will be served accompanied with the guitar stylings of well know local guitarist, Ramon Cruz.
Featured artists are Richard Chandler, Cindy Klong, Toni Williams, Terry Alden, Ron Spelman, Jeffrey R. Brosbe, Margot Wallace, Maribel Moses and more.
Mother’s Day Fancy Dress Swim
May 7
9:00 AM
Location: Oceanside, Oceanside Pier
This is the 8th Annual Mother’s Day Fancy Dress Swim Fundraiser for the Against Malaria Foundations. The organization helps put on a variety of swim events that raise money for insecticide-treated nets, which are used to prevent malaria — a deadly mosquito-borne disease. Sponsored by Parenting 2.0.
Bonsai Show and Sale/Mother’s Day Celebration
May 7 – 8
Location: Carlsbad, The Flower Fields, 5704 Paseo del Norte
Enjoy the unique blending of art and horticulture at our bonsai exhibition and sale on May 7th and 8th.
Join us on the final day of our season for Mom’s special day. The stage will be filled with colorful dancing from the Rancho Buena Vista High School’s Ballet Folklorico. In addition, you can make your own mixed bouquets for only $5.
Trail Cleanup Event
May 14
8:30 – 11:30 AM
Location: Carlsbad, Lake Calavera Preserve
The volunteer trail work will include:
- Weed removal
- Trail erosion repairs
- Rut fill with decomposed granite
- Fence installation along Lake Boulevard
The city will provide new volunteers with a short training on use of tools, shovels, McClouds, rakes, water and snacks. Please wear closed toe shoes, sunscreen and gloves. In the event of rain, trail work will be cancelled.
Festival Of Colors
May 14
11:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Location: Oceanside, 200 North Strand
Rooted in ancient Indian tradition, Color Festival invites all its participants to let go of cares and worries, embrace joy, and live life in full color! Come enjoy an amazing sampling of locally-sourced vegetarian cuisine, live music, yoga, dancing, and of course, the opportunity shower yourself (and total strangers) in vibrant colors. Discover for yourself the original event that sparked a world-wide trend.
Rhythm & Brews 2016
May 14
12:00 – 4:00 PM
Location: Vista, Downtown Vista Village
Join us for the 5th Annual Rhythm & Brews Music and Craft Beer Festival presented by the San Diego Brewers Guild. Once again Rhythm & Brews continues the tradition of bringing many of the nation’s most popular craft beers together with talented musicians in a beautiful outdoor festival located in the historic Vista Village district. The event raises funds for the San Diego Brewers Guild and L. Robert Payne School of Hospitality and Tourism Management.
The San Diego Brewers Guild features major events in both the spring and the fall allowing craft fans and aficionados access to their favorite breweries throughout the year. Strategically located along San Diego’s “Hop Highway” in the heart of Vista, Rhythm & Brews gets larger each and every year and 2016 is no exception.
The Beach Soccer Championships
May 14 – 15
Location: Oceanside, 1200 N Pacific St
Beach Soccer (Beasal) started in Brazil, more precisely at Leme beach, Rio de Janeiro, and has grown to be an international game. The participation of internationally renowned players such as flamboyant Frenchman Eric Cantona, legendary Spanish strikers Michel and Julio Salinas and Brazilian stars such as Romario, Júnior and Zico has helped to expand television coverage to large audiences in over 170 countries worldwide, making Beach Soccer one of the fastest growing professional sports in the world and converting it into a major showcase for international commercial opportunity.
Beach Soccer had been played recreationally all over the world for many years and in many different formats. In 1992 the laws of the game were envisioned and a pilot event was staged by the founding partners of BSWW in Los Angeles. By 1993, the first professional beach soccer competition was organized at Miami Beach, with teams from the United States, Brazil, Argentina and Italy taking part.
Escondido Grand Avenue Festival
May 15
Location: Escondido, W Grand Ave & Orange St
Over 500 vendors, live entertainment, and food from around the world have combined to make the Escondido Grand Avenue Festival a family tradition since 1989.
The festival kicks off at 9 a.m. and will jump and jive all day until 5 p.m. Come and join us on historic Grand Avenue in downtown Escondido.
Enjoy special attractions and great family fun!
EcoFest Encinitas
May 15
Location: Encinitas, 450 Quail Gardens Dr
Enjoy the 10th annual FREE, FUN-FILLED DAY with a line-up of local bands, activities for all ages and local craft beers, wines and food!
Explore the Eco Car show, take a tour of an off-grid tiny home, browse the Eco Art show and engage with over 100 eco-friendly businesses presenting info and hands-on demonstrations throughout the day.
Join us in celebrating our community and learning how you can make a difference now and for future generations!
Cystic Fibrosis Great Strides Walk
May 15
Location: Encinitas, Moonlight Beach, 400 B Street
Great Strides Moonlight Beach is a 3 mile walk along the beautiful coastline from Moonlight to Beacon’s Beach and back. This walk includes children’s activities, food, music and much more, and is absolutely free to participate! Participants can walk as individuals or form walk teams at their workplace, through their clubs and organizations, or with friends and family.
Each year as we descend on the sands of Moonlight Beach we celebrate the victories of the previous years and are reverent as we look to future discoveries and the hope of a cure for all people with cystic fibrosis. The funds raised through the Great Strides walk help finance a unique approach to drug discovery, yielding a therapeutics pipeline with more than 30 potential therapies in development. Virtually every approved CF drug available today was made possible because of the CF Foundation’s support.
Please join us as we… Lace up. Walk. Cure CF!
We will be set up right on the sand with registration and group photos starting at 8:30am. Our brief program will begin at 9:30am and wrap up with yoga stretches before we start the walk at 10:00am.
Great Strides provides a great opportunity for people within the community to get involved in a great cause. Participants can form walk teams at their workplace, through their clubs and organizations, or with friends and family.
Walk day is a fun, family-oriented event with a healthy 5k walk, children’s activities, food, and festivities that participants look forward to year after year.
San Diego Surf Film Festival
May 18 – 28
Location: Various locations, La Jolla & Sorrento Valley
The SAN DIEGO SURF FILM FESTIVAL invites everybody to come celebrate the passion that we all share for simply being in and around the ocean. Since the festival’s inception, we have been anchored towards celebrating those who draw a different line in life. Much like the colorful characters of surfing’s past, the future of surf cinema will also be found in the underground. We champion the independent filmmaker and their quest to capture and convey the very special feeling of being a surfer. And with this in mind, we continue to present the finest independent surf films from around the globe.
Ramona Rodeo
May 19 -22
Location: Ramona, Fred Grand Arena, 421 Aqua Ln
The Ramona Rodeo offers top notch PRCA rodeo. One of the country’s top PRCA sanctioned full-scale pro rodeos, competitive events include barrel racing, tie-down roping, bull riding, saddle bronc riding, team roping and bareback riding. Other activities include a cowgirl fashion show, cowboy and cowgirl mixer, Kid’s Day clowns, rodeo queens, and photo and autograph opportunities.
Thursday – 05/19/16 – admission is free – slack rodeo performance – all timed events will compete beginning at 8pm – no gate fees. Everyone is invited to watch free of charge.
Friday – 05/20/16 – rodeo gates open at 6:30pm. Performance at 8:00pm. Mutton bustin’ will be one of the highlights tonight. Look for our brave little cowboys and cowgirls to grab your hearts riding sheep. Dance to the fantastic country sound of the Patrick Howard Trampus Band immediately following the rodeo. Dance times are 10:00pm to 1:00am.
Parade – Saturday – 05/21/16 – Ramona Main Street Parade begins at 10:00am “America the Beautiful.” Please note, parade road closures begin at 9:30am.
Saturday – 05/21/16 – rodeo gates open at 6:30pm. Performance at 8:00pm. Dance to the fantastic sound of the Patrick Howard Trampus Band immediately following the rodeo. Dance times are 10:00pm to 1:00am.
Sunday – 05/22/16 – kids’ day. Rodeo gates open at 2:30pm. Performance at 4:00pm. The first 200 kids through the gates with a paid adult will receive a free gift. The Jr. Barrel race will be one of the rodeo highlights. Come watch our local young ladies compete just like the professionals.
San Diego Century Bike Tour
May 21
Location: Cardiff-by-the-Sea, 3333 Manchester Ave
Reach a new cycling goal with the San Diego Century! 33, 67 or 105 miles with free training and coupon codes for great savings! Grab a jersey combo, choose a course and join 1500 of your cycling friends on Saturday May 21, 2016 for a ride through the beautiful hills of San Diego County and a finish-line expo in Encinitas.
My Hero: Contemporary Art & Superhero Action
May 21 – August 14
Location: Escondido, California Center for the Arts, 340 N Escondido Blvd
Discover the secret life of your favorite superheroes in the sprawling collection of international artworks that is My Hero. The artists in the exhibition both pay homage to these universal idols and present critical questions about their God-like stature as they reimagine and newly interpret iconic superhero imagery. Some spin the fantasy even further by imagining the hero as a child, as an aging being, and even as an animal. The variety of interpretations in My Hero is vast and challenging, dark and humorous, familiar yet new.
Valley Center Stampede Rodeo & Festival
May 27 – 30
Location: Valley Center, 28246 Lilac Rd
Each May, the Valley Center community celebrates its western heritage with a week-long series of events including the Valley Center Days Parade, Stampede Festival, Stampede Rodeo, an evening musical performance, the election of Valley Center’s “Honorary Mayor,” a new community picnic and so much more.
The Valley Center Stampede Rodeo & Festival is sponsored by the Valley Center Optimist Club. The rodeo is now in its fifteenth year of bringing quality rodeo entertainment to our town and the neighboring communities of North San Diego County. It is held in conjunction with other community events celebrating Valley Center’s western and equestrian heritage.
The 2016 Stampede Rodeo & Festival will kick-off on Friday night May 27th at the Community Center and continue through Sunday, May 29th. On Saturday, May 28th the grounds will reopen following our town’s historic parade, which takes place along Valley Center Road (between Cole Grade Rd and Lilac Rd). Parade contestants and spectators can follow the parade straight to the Stampede Rodeo & Festival grounds!
The Festival caters to rodeo fans with plenty of vendors, western arts & crafts, food booths, live bands, a horseshoe tournament, beer gardens and more. After enjoying the festival, the community is invited to head to the rodeo grandstands for a full rodeo event lineup, followed by a live band and dancing on both Friday and Saturday.
On Sunday, May 29th, the Valley Center Optimist Club will offer a “Give Back to the Community” rodeo event that includes a local team roping competition, a beer garden and food vendors. Admission will be free!
Vista Strawberry Festival
May 29
Location: Vista, 127 Main Street
The Vista Strawberry Festival is the only festival in San Diego County that celebrates all the joys and pleasure of the Strawberry. Vista was once the “Strawberry Capital of the World” and still boasts many strawberry fields. Come enjoy our celebration of the ‘berry as we bring over 300 vendors, athletic competition, pie eating, costumes, beauty, carnival rides, music, food, and much more together in Historic Downtown Vista.
Strawberry Run
It is time to lace up your sneakers once again and get ready to run! The Strawberry Festival Run has something for everyone: the elite runner, the run-walker, kids, and more.
The Strawberry Festival Run starts with a 10k and a 5k Historic Downtown Vista run through Vista’s Kite Sculptures, and ends at the Vista Strawberry Festival. All runners receive a performance t-shirt, a custom medal, a goodie bag, fresh fruit at the finish line, and, for those runners 21 and over, a free beer in our beer garden! We have CASH prizes for our 3 fastest male and female runners for the 10k and 5k (1st – $1,000 [10k]; $500 [5k], 2nd – $200 [both races], 3rd – $100 [both races]). For kids 12 and younger, there is a 1-mile run. For kids 5 and younger, there is a 1/4 mile dash. Fun for the whole family.