Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by taking your teen to work on a Chicano Heritage Month craft at an Anaheim Public Library branch or take the kids to a family-friendly movie screening at the La Palma Library.
On Sunday, consider meeting with a knitting and crochet group at the Placentia Library or watching a movie at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan 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
Mexican Bark Craft
Teens ages 13 and above are welcome to the Ponderosa Joint-Use Branch Library for a Mexican bark painting craft program in celebration of Chicano Heritage Month.
When: August 30, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: 240 E. Orangewood Ave., Anaheim, CA 92802
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 740-0202
Kid’s Movie
Take the kids to watch a screening of the 2017 movie “The Lego Batman Movie” at the La Palma Library.
When: August 30, 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
Crochet and Knitting Circle
Beginners and experts are welcome to knit or crochet at the Placentia Library. Attendees to the adult-only program are asked to bring needles, crochet hooks and yarn.
When: August 31, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 411 E. Chapman Ave., Placentia CA 92870
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 528-1906
Central Orange County
Visit the Hilbert Museum
Spend time at the Hilbert Museum of California Art, one of the largest collections of California narrative art from from the late 19th century to present day.
Reservations are required, but admission is free.
When: August 30 & 31, 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: 167 N. Atchison St., Orange, CA 92866
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the museum at (714) 516-5880
Cardio Hike
Embark on a 6-mile cardio hike through Weir Canyon. The hike has multiple steep climbs and descents.
Registration is required.
When: August 31, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Where: 1 Irvine Park Rd., Orange, CA 92869
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Volunteer Outside
Spend time volunteering at the Demonstration Garden at the Irvine Ranch Conservancy’s Native Seed Farm. Volunteers will participate in weeding, cutting, digging, watering and other gardening tasks.
Registration is required.
When: August 31, 7:30 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: Native Seed Garden, 10860.25 Jeffrey Rd., Irvine, CA 92602
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Coastal Orange County
Lego Mania
Take the kids to play with Legos at the Seal Beach Library.
When: January 25, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 707 Electric Ave., Seal Beach, CA 90740
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (562) 431-3584
Civil War Days
See reenactors and learn about America’s history during the annual Civil War Days Living History Event in Huntington Beach Central Park.
When: August 30 & 31
Where: 18002 Goldenwest St., Huntington Beach, CA 92647
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Huntington Beach Historical Society President Kelly Rivers at (714) 277-9015Kelyinc@aol.com
Afternoon Movie
Enjoy a screening of the 1938 film “The Adventures of Robin Hood” at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library.
When: August 31, 1:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: 1855 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 646-8845
South Orange County
Accessible Hike
Enjoy an accessible hike through Limestone Canyon on a paved road. The group will learn about native and non-native plant species with an American Sign Language (ASL) interpreter while moving at a pace that works for the entire group.
Registration is required.
When: August 30, 9:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.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
Paint by Numbers
Adults are welcome to the Rancho Santa Margarita Library to paint by numbers while listening to meditative music.
When: August 30, 2:00 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Where: 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 459-6094
Open Sewing Lab
Teens ages 14+ and adults are welcome to the Laguna Niguel Library’s open sewing lab. Receive support and inspiration for sewing projects.
Participants are asked to register by emailing ocpl.lagunaniguel@occr.ocgov.com or by calling the library.
When: August 30, 2:00 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
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.
