Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by learning how to build a garden with native plants or watching a movie at the library.
On Sunday, attend a guitar performance at the Laguna Niguel Library or take the kids on a mountain bike ride.
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
Family Storytime
Take the kids to sing, move and read aloud at the Buena Park Library’s family storytime.
When: July 19, 10:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Where: 7150 La Palma Ave., Buena Park, CA 90620
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 826-4100
Learn to Sew
Learn to use a sewing machine during a workshop at the Placentia Library. Participants will practice winding a bobbin, sewing a straight line and other stitches through a provided starter project.
The program is open to adults and teens.
When: June 19, 1:00 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. & 3:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 411 E. Chapman Ave., Placentia CA 92870
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 528-1906
Movie at the Library
Watch a screening of the 1993 movie “Tombstone” at the Fullerton Public Library’s main branch. Attendees are welcome to wear western attire.
When: July 19, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Where: 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 738-6326
Central Orange County
Board Game and Puzzle Swap
Swap old puzzles and board games with other community members at the Tibor Rubin Community Board Game and Puzzle Swap.
When: July 19, 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 11962 Bailey St., Garden Grove, CA 92845
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
Explore Native Plants
Learn how to create at-home gardens with native plants at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s native seed farm.
Registration is required.
When: July 19, 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Native Seed Garden, 10860.25 Jeffrey Rd., Irvine, CA 92602
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
Play the Ukulele
Ages 16 and above are welcome to the Orange Public Library to learn songs on the ukulele.
Attendees can bring their own ukulele, or check one out with a library card. Call the Adult Reference Desk at (714) 288-2410 to place a hold on a kit today.
When: July 19, beginner session from 10:30 a.m. to 11:00 am, all levels from 11:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 407 E. Chapman Ave., Orange, CA 92866
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 288-240
Coastal Orange County
Video Game Crafts
Take the kids to make crafts themed like Pokémon, Sonic the Hedgehog and other video games at the Crean Mariners Branch Library.
When: June 19, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 1300 Irvine Ave., Newport Beach, CA 92660
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 717-3838
Gardening Talk
Attend a talk on harvesting herbs as you need them at home by the UC Master Gardeners at the Laguna Beach Library.
When: June 19, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 497-1733
Teen Volunteer Opportunity
The Huntington Central Library welcomes teens to volunteer to sort and package the seeds donated to their seed library. Volunteers will label and pack new seeds for circulation in the community.
When: July 19, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 842-4481
South Orange County
Wilderness Access
Explore 8 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding in the Red Rock Wilderness during an access day.
Registration is required.
When: July 19, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Augustine Staging Area, 5524 Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
Guitar Concert
Enjoy an acoustic guitar concert at the Laguna Niguel Library on Sunday afternoon. Hear music from the Artisan Guitar ensemble, comprised of classical guitarists Max Mendoza, Daniel Ramirez and Andre Giraldo.
When: July 20, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 30341 Crown Valley Pkwy., Laguna Niguel, CA 92677
Cost: Free
For more details and to register, contact the library at (949) 249-5252
Family Mountain Bike Ride
Families with children aged 12 and older are welcome on a slow-paced mountain bike ride through Limestone Canyon, known as Orange County’s ‘Grand Canyon’.
Registration is required.
When: July 20, 5:00 p.m.. to 7:30 p.m.
Where: Augustine Staging Area, 5524 Santiago Canyon 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.