Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by walking the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve on a tour, or by taking the kids to play board games at the Fullerton Public Library.
On Sunday, consider hiking through Baker Canyon, or attending a Spanish dance performance at the Cypress Library.
This is just a handful of the many free events and activities happening throughout Orange County – funded by public tax dollars.
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That same kind of watchdog reporting now fuels a vibrant weekend calendar, choc full of free public services and assets your tax dollars finance.
Here are a few noteworthy free events happening this weekend.
North Orange County
Board Games
Enjoy playing board games and other games at the Fullerton Public Library. The
North Orange County Boardgamers Game Day is held the first Saturday of each month.
When: April 5, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA, US, 92832
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 738-6326
Stitchin’ in the Stacks
Work on a crochet or knitting project at the Yorba Linda Public Library’s DIY studio among other needle crafters.
When: April 5, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 4852 Lakeview Ave., Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 777-2873
Founders’ Park Open House
Learn about Anaheim’s heritage at Founders’ Park, a one-acre park featuring some of the city’s earliest homes.
When: April 5, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 400 N. West St., Anaheim, CA 92805
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Founders’ Park at (714) 765-5155
Central Orange County
Family Movie
Enjoy a family-friendly movie and activities at the La Palma Library.
When: April 5, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 7842 Walker St., La Palma, CA 90623
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 523-8585
Teen Craft
Teenagers are welcome to the Westminster Library to make a custom stamp.
When: April 5, 1:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 8180 13th St., Westminster, CA 92683
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 893-5057
Spanish Dance Performance
Enjoy an interactive Spanish dance performance at the Cypress Library. Attendees will have the opportunity to learn to play castanets, percussion instruments used in classical or folkloric dances in Spain and other countries.
When: April 6, 2:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: 5331 Orange Ave., Cypress, CA 90630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 826-0350
Coastal Orange County
Bolsa Chica Walking Tour
Join volunteer naturalists on a walk through the Bolsa Chica Ecological Reserve. Learn about the history, restoration, endangered species and ecology of the coastal reserve.
Meet at 9:00 a.m. at the reserve’s South parking lot on Pacific Coast Highway, halfway between Warner Ave. and Seapoint St..
Registration is required.
When: April 5, 9:00 a.m.
Where: 17885-17911 Pacific Coast Hwy., Huntington Beach, CA, 92648
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Amigos de Bolsa Chica at (714) 840-1575 or info@amigosdebolsachica.org
Sensory Playtime
Take the kids to participate in sensory playtime activities at the San Clemente Library.
When: April 5, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Where: 242 Avenida Del Mar, San Clemente, CA 92672
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 492-3493
Volunteer Opportunity at Newport Back Bay
Join Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve staff and volunteers in restoring OC’s natural habitat. Activities can include non-native plant removal, watering, trash cleanup and more.
No experience necessary, and tools will be provided. Advanced registration is highly encouraged, as space is limited.
When: April 5, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Where: 2301 University Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660
Cost: Free
For questions, please contact resource specialist Emma Arago at emma.arago@ocparks.com or call (657) 692-5401
South Orange County
Bilingual Storytime
Take the kids to hear songs and stories in Arabic at the Laguna Niguel Library.
When: April 5, 3:00 p.m.. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 249-5252
Coloring at the Library
All ages are welcome to color at the Laguna Hills Technology Library. Coloring supplies are provided.
When: April 5, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 25555 Alicia Pkwy., Laguna Hills, CA 92653
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 707-2699
Double Loop Hike
Embark on a challenging hike through Baker Canyon, part of the Irvine Ranch Open Space.
Registration is required, and attendees are asked to show up 15 minutes early.
When: April 6, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Where: Baker Canyon Staging Area, Baker Canyon Rd. & Black Star Helo Pad Rd., Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
If you know of a free public agency event that the Voice of OC should be aware of, send an email to etaylor@voiceofoc.org
For more events, please refer to the Voice of OC Calendar.