By Carla B.
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Communities in and around Los Angeles County are holding various services this weekend to honor servicemen and women who have sacrificed in defense of their country. Here are our picks for the best things to do in LA Memorial Day Weekend.
JazzReggae Festival
May 25-26. Kick off summer with live music, food, and live art. Headliners of the 28th annual festival include Snoop Dogg, Aloe Blacc, Ky-Mani Marley, and many more. $30-65. UCLA Intramural Field, 405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. jazzreggaefest.com
Topanga Days
May 24-26. Celebrate music, the arts and the work of local artisans at the 41st annual Topanga Days. Spend the weekend listening to live music, while discovering art, jewelry and clothing from local artisans. Musical headliners include: Lockdown, Wooden Roots, Royal Southern Brotherhood, and many more. 1440 N. Topanga Cyn. Bl., Topanga, 310.455.1980. topangadays.com
MAINopoly: A Taste of Main Street
May 25. Experience the best food and drink offerings along Santa Monica’s Main Street at this inaugural event. The interactive community event mirrors the classic board game, and you will receive food tastings in exchange for special MAINopoly dollars, which will include items such as as fresh fish ceviche from Enterprise Fish Co., goat cheese en pan tostada from Manchego, famed Magic Brownies from M Street Kitchen, Captain Ron’s Mac n Cheese from The Galley, Freddos Iced Coffee from Peet’s, California Rolls from Tsukiji Sushi Sen and more. Select restaurants will also be offering special happy hour menus and drink specials such as $4 draft beers and $5 cocktails and shots, to those with the official event wristband. Proceeds benefit Summer SOULstice and Heal the Bay. 2-8 p.m. Main St., Santa Monica. MAINopoly.eventbrite.com
Queen Mary Salutes U.S. Military Personnel
The Queen Mary will offer FREE admission to all U.S. active and retired military personnel on Memorial Day. General Admission includes a self-guided tour and the Ghosts & Legends Show. Be aware there are DETOURS DUE TO ROAD CLOSURES.
When: Memorial Day Monday, 10 am – 6 pm
Where: Queen Mary, 1126 Queen’s Hwy, Long Beach, CA 90802
Cost: Free for retired and active military with ID, regular price for all others
Parking: $15
Info: www.queenmary.com
Patriotic Memorial Day Programs at Forest Lawn
Patriotic ceremonies honoring veterans.
When: Memorial Day Monday
Where: Various Forest Lawn locations
Info: www.forestlawn.com
Rose Hills Memorial Day Observance
A family-friendly observance and remembrance with community and patriotic groups, including the chamber singers, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and American Heritage Ensemble as well as other musical performances, tributes and a keynote address.
When: Memorial Day Monday, 11 am – noon
Where: The Gardens at Rose Hills Memorial Park, Whittier
Info: www.rosehills.com
Fiesta Hermosa in Hermosa Beach
Seaside arts and crafts festival with multiple entertainment stages and over 400 vendor booths. There’s also a kiddie carnival, petting zoo, extensive food court and Beer and Wine Garden.
When: Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday through Monday
Where: Directions and Map
Info: www.fiestahermosa.com
Canoga Park Memorial Day Parade
The annual parade includes military marching units, bands, floats, dignitaries, antique cars, classic cars, youth groups, flyovers by military aircraft, and equestrian units. The procession is usually followed by a car show and entertainment in the parking lot of the First Baptist Church.
When: Memorial Day Monday, 10 am – noon
Where: Begins at the corner of Sherman Way and Owensmouth Ave and proceeds east on Sherman Way to the First Baptist church at Cozycroft.
Info: http://cpwhchamber.org/25th-annual-memorial-day-parade/
Garden Grove Strawberry Festival
Four day festival celebrating everything to do with the humble strawberry. Carnival rides, pageants, Strawberry Idol karaoke contest, Red-Head Roundup Contest, Berry Beautiful Baby Pageant, and, of course, a strawberry-themed parade on Saturday.
When: Memorial Day Weekend, Friday through Monday
Where: The Festival is held at the Village Green, between Euclid and Main Street Streets in downtown Garden Grove, CA
Info: www.strawberryfestival.org, 714-638-0981
Simi Valley Cajun & Blues Music Festival
A full schedule of Cajun, Zydeco Blues and Roots music interspersed with dance lessons, demonstrations, kids area, dog team demonstrations.
When: Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday
Where: Rancho Santa Susana Community Park, 5005 Los Angeles Avenue, Simi Valley, California 93063, see web site for directions and parking.
Info: http://simicajun.org
St. Nicholas Valley Greek Festival
Live Greek music, social dancing and costumed youth performances, Greek imports and other vendors, church tours, and of course tons of amazing Greek food.
When: Memorial Day Weekend, Sat-Mon 1-9 pm
Where: 9501 Balboa Blvd., Northridge, CA
Info: www.valleygreekfestival.com (818) 886-4040
Annual Topanga Days Country Fair:
A new-age hippy hillbilly jamboree including multiple stages of entertainment, fine arts and crafts fair, healing. Think belly dancing to Old Timey music, with a Monday morning parade for good measure.
When: Memorial Day Weekend, Saturday through Monday. Parade – Monday, 9 am.
Where: The Topanga Community House, 1440 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, CA 90290
Info: www.topangadays.com
Scottish Fest (formerly ScotsFest) and Highland Games
An annual celebration of Scottish (and some Irish) music, Highland Dancing, Highland Games and everything to do with the Scottish culture in Orange County.
When: Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day Weekend
Where: The Orange County Fairgrounds, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa, CA
Info: www.scottishfest.com
Main Street Memorial Day Weekend Block Party
May 25. Party all day and night on Santa Monica’s Main St. Four venues—31ten, Circle Bar, Rick’s, Main on Main, & O’Briens—are aligning to throw a party where you can enjoy specials on eats and drinks, tunes from live DJs and more. 2 p.m.-2 a.m. 323.604.6030. CaliforniaNightLife.com/mdwblockparty
Grand Park’s Got Moves: The Salsa Session
May 26. Celebrate the holiday weekend and the start of a “spicy hot” LA summer with Grand Park’s Got Moves: The Salsa Session. Grand Park collaborates with the 16th Annual International LA Salsa Fest to host a free Salsa event for families. Enjoy free music and dance performances from artists like Ricardo Lemvo and Grammy- winning Spanish Harlem Orchestra. 2-6 p.m. 200 Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.8080. grandparkla.org
Barnsdall Friday Night Wine Tastings
May 23. Enjoy evenings of fine wine and art in the gardens of Frank Lloyd Wright’s newly renovated Hollyhock House. The weekly event features four selections of boutique, small production, artisan wines from Silverlake Wine, music by KCRW’s DJ Dan Wilcox, and a host of specialty food trucks and more. The event continues ever Friday through Labor Day. $25. 4800 Hollywood Blvd., L.A., 323.644.6275. barnsdall.org
United States Military Appreciation Day at Battleship IOWA
May 26. Tour the battleship Iowa, enjoy entertainment, carnival games, food and snacks and more. Active duty military and veterans, free; general admission, $18. Pacific Battleship Center, USS IOWA BB-61, 250 Harbor Blvd., San Pedro, 877.4.IOWA.61. More Info.
Fiesta Hermosa
May 24-26. Check out one of the largest arts and crafts fairs in the country at the 42nd annual “Fiesta Hermosa” in downtown Hermosa Beach. The event features more than 300 artisans including painters, photographers, jewelers, sculptors and more, in addition to live music on two stages, an international selection of food to eat, beer, wine and more. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Hermosa Beach. fiestahermosa.net
Unionmade Pop Up Shop
May 24-26. All men need a little shopping in their lives so over Memorial Day weekend they can stop by the pop-up to shop for t-shirts, swim trunks and woven shirts from Los Angeles based men’s clothing company M. Nii. The styles are designed from archival pieces, inspired by vintage surfing, and made in the USA. Guests who make a purchase at the pop-up will receive complimentary M. Nii swatches and Unionmade totes. Guests who make a purchase over $200 will receive a complimentary M. Nii t-shirt. 189 The Grove Dr., L.A. thegrovela.com
The Hudson
May 26. Spend Memorial Day enjoying the brunch menu from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Drink specials featured that day will be $15 bottomless mimosas, $6 Bloody Marys, $6 Micheladas, $8 Irish Mules. 1114 N Crescent Heights Blvd, West Hollywood, 323.654.6686. TheHudsonLA.com
Have an event that is not listed? leave in comments below or email pr@eotmradio(dot)com.
