Summer Kicks Off in Orange County

This weekend seems to be exploding with so much stuff to do around Orange County, that I thought I'd give a rundown on some of the highlights:

Summerfest 2012 will be going on in Fountain Valley this
weekend (image via Patch)

Summerfest 2012
Although it may sound like some kind made up holiday (i.e. Festivus), Summerfest is actually heading into its fourth year in Fountain Valley, and is scheduled to run through to Sunday, June 10th.

Free to everyone, it's being held at the Fountain Valley Sports Park at Brookhurst and Heil.

Events include a classic car and truck show on Saturday and for the first time ever, a dog show on Sunday. Dogs are being welcomed to peruse the grounds and cheer on (or is it laugh) at other dogs participating in the small dog race, agility course, or flying disc competition.

And of course, both days will feature carnival rides, food, live music, and a beer and wine garden. You can find out more details on Fountain Valley's city website, or read the Patch for a day by day breakdown of events.

Mr. BBQ 2011 - long may he reign, or at least until they
choose a new one this year (image via Nibbles of Tidbits)

Orange County BBQ and Music Festival
Considered by OC Weekly to be Orange County's "longest-running and best-attended barbecue contest", this year's event promises to be just as big, with events like a Mr. BBQ Pageant, beer tasting, and of course, rib eating contest.

There will be activities for the kids like a petting zoo, bouncers and face painting, and a "butterfly celebration" where butterflies are released for children who are seriously ill or have passed away.

Held at the Orange County Fair & Event Center until Sunday, admission is $15 for adults, $10 for children, or you can get a $25 2-day pass. All proceeds are going to support Kristies Foundation for terminally ill children.

For more information and to buy tickets, visit the event's website.

Lynn Shubert in front of the Fuddy Duddy, a B-17
WWII bomber that will be on display this Sunday
(image via OC Register)

Bikes and Bombers

For those of you that love history, motorcycles or both, this Sunday at the Lyon Air Museum two WWII veterans will be on hand to share their experiences at the first annual public motorcycle show organized by the museum.

 

Two Steve McQueen motorcycles will be on display, and enthusiasts can enter pictures of their bikes in a people's choice competition. Winners get a trophy and a picture with Herb Guiness and Lynn Shubert, two veterans who saw combat in Italy during World War II. The winner will also be able to take pictures with the veterans in the museum's B-17, the Fuddy Duddy.

 

Guiness, 91, and Shubert, 90, both live in south Orange County and have a fascinating story of plane crashes and subsequent rescue missions - if you want to read about it, check out the Orange County Register. Or better yet, visit them in person this Sunday at the museum - for more information, visit Lyon's website.