March Events in Orange County 2017

Dana Point Festival of Whales   Mar. 4-5 & 11-12
The festival kicks off with a parade filled with spectacular floats, costumes and giant balloons, and the festivities continue with a street fair featuring live music, a Pet Costume Contest and a special area for kids. Rubber Ducky Derby, a Sand Sculpting Competition, sailing adventures, stand-up padding clinics, whale-related crafts, a classic car and vintage boat display. Film screenings, two BBQs, a luau and whale watching excursions.
Contact: (888) 440-4309 / www.festivalofwhales.com

Marines 5k Run/Walk   Mar. 11
Your participation in this event will help sponsor the 3rd Battalion/1st Marines out of Camp Pendleton in support of Huntington Beach’s adopted battalion. The Marines will be leading the run this year in cadence, per tradition when the Battalion is home.
Time/Place: 7-11:30am / Huntington City Beach: Beach Blvd. and PCH
Contact: (949) 295-7312 / www.facebook.com/HBMEA43ONE

St. Patricks Day Dinner and Dance   Mar. 11
Corned beef and cabbage dinner with all the trimmings catered by Hennesy’s Wine/Bistro. In addition to a live band with fabulous music all evening, the event will also feature traditional Irish Dancers from the Aniar Academy of Irish Dance performing.
Time/Place: 5-10pm / Auditorium: 100 N. Calle Seville, San Clemente
Contact: (949) 240-4089 / www.san-clemente.org

Newport – Mesa Spirit Run   Mar. 12
The event consists of twelve racing events plus a 5k Family Walk and Toddler Trot. Adult races include the Elite Mile, Sub Elite Mile, Dog Mile, Open Mile, 5k, 10k, and 15k (5k+10k, times combined and ranked). Youth races include the Youth 5k and six separate 1/4 – 1-mile races for age 4-19. In between races, participants and spectators enjoy the Youth & Fitness Expo.
Time/Place: 6am / Fashion Island, Newport Beach
Contact: www.nmspiritrun.org

Tustin Hangar Half & 5k   Mar. 12
A minimum of 15% of all race registration fees are slated to go directly to the nonprofits and charities that the race registrants themselves choose when they register for one of the races.
Time/Place: 7am / The District at Tustin Legacy: 2437 Park Ave.
Contact: (714) 544-5341 / www.tustinchamber.org

High School Job & Career Fair   Mar. 18
The City of Laguna Niguel Youth Committee invites you to attend its annual High School Job & College Fair! Representatives from local businesses as well as local colleges, universities, and trade schools will be in attendance to share information regarding their institutes of higher learning, job opportunities, career pathways, and internships.
Time/Place: 10am-12pm / City Hall Community Room: 30111 Crown Valley Parkway, Laguna Niguel
Contact: (949) 425-5100 / www.cityoflagunaniguel.org

Huntington Beach Cherry Blossom Festival   Mar. 19
The Sister City Association of Huntington Beach invites you to learn more about Anjo, Japan, Huntington Beach’s own sister city! Bring the entire family to experience Japanese dance, music, and cultural demonstrations. Arts, crafts and games for children, along with Japanese food vendors and raffle items.
Time/Place: 11am-5pm / Huntington Central Park: 18000 Goldenwest Street, Huntington Beach
Contact: (714) 615-7774 / www.hbcbfest.com

Fiesta Grande   Mar. 22
A night of Wild West entertainment! Four contests are rolled into one evening of fun at the Fiesta Grande – Best Dressed Old West Man, Best Dressed Old West Woman, Best Belt Buckle, and the world famous “Smooth-Puss”/Hairiest Man contest! So don your finest Old West outfit, belt buckle or facial hair and enter one or more of the contests.
Time/Place: 6-9pm / The Swallows Inn, San Juan Capistrano
Contact: (949) 493-1976 / www.swallowsparade.com

Hoos’ Gow Day   Mar. 24
Bringing a taste of the Wild, Wild, West back to San Juan Capistrano. The ‘Sheriff’ and the ‘Deputies’ of the Fiesta Association are dressed in their traditional black and white western garb while they roam the town in search of city slickers. If you’re not wearing western wear, watch out! You might just be roped into the fun!
Time/Place: 9am-4pm / The streets of downtown San Juan Capistrano
Contact: (949) 493-1976 / www.swallowsparade.com

Ocean Institute Jazz Festival   Mar. 24-25
Friday will be a delightful evening of the finest local restaurants, fantastic jazz, delicious food and wine, craft beer, and auction! Saturday night offers a five-course gala dinner created by the head chefs of local world-class resorts. A night of amazing jazz, elegant epicurean dining, fine wine and a silent and live auction await you and your guests!
Time/Place: Fri 6pm, Sat 5:30pm / Ocean Institute, Dana Point
Contact: (949) 496-2274 / www.ocean-institute.org/jazz-festival

Swallows Day Parade and Mercado Street Faire   Mar. 25
The Parade is part of the Fiesta de la Golondrinas celebrating the legend of the return of the swallows to the San Juan Capistrano Mission on St. Joseph’s Day.
Time/Place: 9am-5pm / Downtown San Juan Capistrano
Contact: (949) 493-1976 / www.swallowsparade.com

Veterans Resource Fair & Wounded Warrior Softball Game   Mar. 25
Assemblyman Brough and Senator Bates are hosting the Veterans Resource Fair and Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball Team. Refreshments and souvenirs!
Time/Place: 11am-4pm / Saddleback College, Mission Viejo
Contact: (949) 347-7301 / www.scchamber.com

Huntington Beachcruiser Meet   Mar. 25-26
A popular gathering of beach cruising vehicles manufactured through 1972, featuring nomads, woodies, VW Transporters, convertibles, steel wagons and other beach cruisin’ vehicles of the era. Vehicles will be on display throughout the weekend along Main Street and in Pier Plaza, with additional vehicles on the world-famous Huntington Beach Pier on Sunday. In addition, vintage longboard collections will be on display with event-themed vendors next to Pier Plaza.
Time/Place: 8am-4pm / Downtown Huntington Beach
Contact: (760) 468-2115 / www.hbcruisers.com

Orange County’s Largest Mixer XIV   Mar. 28
Join local chambers of commerce and business organizations and discover new business service providers from nearly 200 exhibitors. Learn new ways to grow and improve your business, connect with potential customers, gain new leads and referrals, all while sampling from local restaurants and caterers.
Time/Place: 5-9pm / OC Fair: 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa
Contact: (949) 338-8338 / www.ocmixer.com

Playschool Springtime EGG-stravaganza   Mar. 31
Children 3-5 years old will celebrate spring coloring eggs, making crafts, going on an egg hunt and meeting the Easter bunny! This event will be fully staffed with child supervision. Parents are welcome to stay and enjoy the event.
Time/Place: 10am-12pm / Tierra Grande Park: 399 Camino Tierra Grande, San Clemente
Contact: (949) 429-8797 / www.san-clemente.org

Cesi Pagano

(949) 370-0819

www.cesipagano.com