Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by volunteering at a native seed garden in the Laguna Coast Wilderness or in the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.
On Sunday, take the kids to a magic show at the Cypress Library or embark 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
Founders’ Park Open House
Learn about Anaheim’s heritage at the Founders’ Park open house, a one-acre park featuring some of the city’s earliest homes.
When: August 2, 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
Makerspace Open Hours
Work on a creative project at the Placentia Library’s Hangar Makerspace, featuring various crafting projects.
When: August 2, 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 411 E. Chapman Ave, Placentia CA 92870
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 528-1906
[Read: A Space to Create]
Movie at the Library
Enjoy a screening of the 2005 version of “Pride and Prejudice” at the Fullerton Public Library’s main branch.
When: August 2, 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
Self-Care Event
Visit the Clifton C. Miller Community Center for a yoga class and conversation between former Olympic divers – author Cassidy Krug and gold medalist Greg Louganis.
Attendees are asked to bring their own yoga mat or towel.
When: August 2, 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: Clifton C. Miller Community Center, 300 Centennial Way, Tustin, CA 92780
Cost: Free
For more details, contact (714) 566-3034 or email ocpl.programs@occr.ocgov.com
Intermediate Mountain Bike Ride
Skilled mountain bike riders are welcome on a trek from the paved Hicks Haul Rd. to Limestone Canyon, known as Orange County’s “Grand Canyon.”
When: August 3, 7:00 a.m.. to 10:30 a.m.
Where: Hicks Haul Road – Jeffrey Staging Area, 11911 Hicks Haul Rd., Irvine, CA 92602
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Magic Show
Take the kids to a magic show they can participate in at the Cypress Library. All ages are welcome.
When: August 3, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 5331 Orange Ave., Cypress, CA 90630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 826-0350
Coastal Orange County
Volunteer in 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 recommended, as space is limited.
When: August 2, 9:00 a.m. to 11:00 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
Dungeons & Dragons Club
Teenagers ages 13-18 are welcome to the Oak View Branch Library in Huntington Beach to play Dungeons & Dragons, a tabletop roleplaying game.
Registration is required.
When: August 2, 12:00 p.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 17251 Oak Ln., Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 375-5068
Volunteer at Native Seed Garden
Spend the morning tending to California native plants at a nursery in Laguna Coast Wilderness Park. Volunteers may assist with collecting, sowing and planting seeds at restoration sites and other maintenance work at the nursery.
Registration is required.
When: August 2, 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: Laguna Canyon Foundation Headquarters, 10 Phillips St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: Free
For more details, contact volunteer@lagunacanyon.org or dulce@lagunacanyon.org.
South Orange County
Learn About Trash
Take the kids to see a trash truck in action and listen to a talk on recycling and disposing of waste properly at the Library of the Canyons from an OC Waste Management representative. All ages welcome.
When: August 2, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 7531 E. Santiago Canyon Rd., Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 649-2216
Wilderness Access Day
Explore Limestone Canyon on a wilderness access day. Trails vary in distance and difficulty level, with choices ranging from one-hour walks to 15-mile cardio treks.
Preregistration is required.
When: August 2, 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 info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Matinee Movie at the Library
Visit the Rancho Santa Margarita library for a screening of Alfred Hitchcock’s 1943 film “Shadow of a Doubt” in an adult-only program.
When: August 2, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 459-6094
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.