Best Activities In Orange County This Week - August 22
Now that the Olympics have ended and the heat waves are (hopefully) history, it's time to enjoy some splendid end of summer activities. Spend some time outdoors in the California sun as you pick up some fresh farmer's market goodies, sip cold beer or listen to live music at the Ohana Festival. With the Rams relocating to Los Angeles, this week also gives locals a chance to attend a training camp. Even with all of the outdoor fun happening this week, there are a few shows like the famed Pageant of the Masters and a comedy show with Gabriel Iglesias to end your evenings right.
Pageant of the Masters
650 Laguna Canyon Road
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
(949) 494-1145
www.foapom.com
Though this famous festival runs for nearly two months during the summer, it's quickly drawing to an end. With only a little more than a week left, it's the perfect time to spend an evening at the Pageant of the Masters. In this festival of living pictures, real people use heavy makeup, costumes, unique lighting, props and expertly crafted backgrounds to recreate well-known works of art. Including both classic and contemporary pieces, like Edward Percy Moran's Betsy Ross painting (pictured), this 90-minute outdoor show is accompanied by an orchestra playing original music. This year's theme is partners, celebrating the partnerships that helped to facilitate some truly fantastic pieces of art. The truly unique event continues to wow audiences from all across the country each summer.
Gabriel Iglesias
Irvine Improv Comedy Club
527 Spectrum Center Drive
Irvine, CA 92618
(949) 854-5455
irvine.improv.com
Laughter is the best medicine and what's better for laughing than a comedy show? Gabriel Iglesias comes to the Irvine Improv Comedy Club to present an over the top show filled with stories and sound effects. Commonly referred to as Fluffy, Iglesias has an infectious laugh and animated personality that have garnered him countless fans through the years. He has performed to sold-out audiences not only across the nation but across the world, and continues to push the envelope by appearing in movies and television shows aside from his stand-up performances. Make a night of it; the comedy club is located at the Irvine Spectrum, which has plenty of options for dinner before the show. Iglesias will return for a special Christmas show in December.
Visit The Old Capistrano Certified Farmers Market
Yorba Street between Camino Capistrano & El Camino Real
San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
(949) 493-4700
www.farmersmarketsjc.com
As the trend of healthy eating continues to blossom, it becomes increasingly easy to find natural, organic foods in local supermarkets. But, the best way to get fresh produce is still through farmers markets, which bring delicious, innovative and hard-to-find items to the public. Each Wednesday, the Old Capistrano Certified Farmers Market sets up no matter the weather, offering goods from 3 to 7 p.m. Aside from fruits, veggies and eggs, this long-running farmers market offers Mediterranean sauces and dips, homemade jams and salsas, fresh seafood, artisanal bread, kettle corn, flowers and vegan desserts. Spend the afternoon wandering outdoors, soaking up the sun and nutrients with the market's selection of quality foods.
Los Angeles Rams Training Camp
University of California, Irvine
903 West Peltason Drive
Irvine, CA 92617
www.therams.com
Los Angeles finally has an NFL team to cheer on and they're doing their pre-season training camp right here in Orange County. UCI is hosting 16 public practices, the last of which is this Thursday, giving locals a chance to see some pro football on Orange County soil for the first time in decades. As the field at Crawford Stadium is covered with players, fans will pack the stands to get some practice in before the start of the new season. This final practice starts at 4:30 p.m. and is free to the public. While gates will open at 3 p.m., plan to stay for a while after it's over as well, as some players will stick around to sign autographs once practice is finished.
Barks and Brews
Outlets at San Clemente
101 West Avenida Vista Hermosa
San Clemente, CA 92672
(949) 535-2323
www.outletsatsanclemente.com
Dog lovers unite! Head down to the Outlets at San Clemente to celebrate National Dog Day with Barks and Brews, a fun event that welcomes dogs as well as people. Check out the live entertainment while chowing down on some food from two local food trucks, DogTown Dogs and The Classic Tacos, and sipping beer from San Clemente's own Left Coast Brewery. Dog-friendly vendors will be on site to sell pet-related items and offer treats for pups in attendance. There will also be a doggy parade complete with costumes and prizes as well as a photo booth—squeeze your pets into the frame. Proceeds will go to the Pet Project Foundation to benefit animals in a local shelter.
Fit Expo
Anaheim Convention Center
800 West Katella Drive
Anaheim, CA 92802
(888) 348-3976
www.thefitexpo.com
If you're a fitness enthusiast, the Fit Expo is for you. Held in cities like Chicago, Los Angeles, Fort Lauderdale and San Jose, the Anaheim expo begins Saturday and runs through the weekend. Athletes of all sorts—bodybuilders, personal trainers, karate masters and more—will come together to celebrate a love of fitness with free fitness classes and plenty of vendors selling some of the best wellness products on the market. There will also be cooking demonstrations featuring healthy ingredients, chances to meet fitness superstars and live demonstrations and competitions by professionals. Stars attending the Anaheim expo include Billy Banks, CT Fletcher, Tito Ortiz and Kali Muscle.
Ohana Festival
Doheny State Beach
25300 Dana Point Harbor Drive
Dana Point, CA 92629
(949) 276-2699
www.theohanafest.com
The Ohana Festival is a brand new, two-day music festival that is sure to be a hit. Some big name artists will play this inaugural event, including Lana Del Rey, Eddie Vedder, Elvis Costello, Corinne Bailey Rae, City and Color and Band of Horses. Held right along the coast, the festival will take place in the grass of Doheny State Beach. Artisanal food trucks and options from local restaurants will be served; wine, craft beer and cocktails will be available as well. The festival will be held both Saturday and Sunday with a special charity gala luau kicking things off on Friday night. Partial proceeds from the event will benefit the San Onofre Parks Foundation, which helps support local beach access.
