Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by volunteering in the Upper Newport Bay, joining thousands across California in participating in beach cleanups on Coastal Cleanup Day.
On Sunday, embark on a hike in Fremont Canyon or learn to use a Cricut in the Placentia Library.
These is just a handful of the many free events and activities happening throughout Orange County – funded by public tax dollars.
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Every week, Voice of OC reporters work hard to help residents stay connected to upcoming civic events, putting locals in a position to save tax dollars and hold leaders accountable.
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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
Folklorico Dance Performance
Enjoy a dance performance by the Monte Alban Folklórico Dancers at the Fullerton Public Library’s main branch.
When: September 20, 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 738-6326
Fiesta at the Library
Attend a Hispanic Heritage Month fiesta with food, crafts and a folklórico performance at the Haskett Branch Library in Anaheim.
When: September 20, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 2650 W Broadway, Anaheim, CA 92804
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 765-5075
Learn to use a Cricut
Visit the Placentia Library for a demo on using a Cricut, a smart cutting machine that lets users design and cut, draw or engrave a wide range of materials to create custom décor and crafts.
When: September 21, 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
Bilingual Storytime
Take the kids to a spanish storytime and craft in celebration of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage Month at the Garden Grove Tibor Rubin Library.
When: September 20, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Where: 11962 Bailey St., Garden Grove, CA 92845
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 897-2594
Backpack Charms
All ages are welcome to the Villa Park Library to make backpack charms and learn about back-to-school resources for families.
When: September 20, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 17865 Santiago Blvd., Villa Park, CA 92861
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 998-0861
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: September 20 & 21, 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
Coastal Orange County
Coastal Cleanup Day
Volunteer to remove trash and recyclables from the waterway, marsh and beaches in the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve on Coastal Cleanup Day — an annual statewide volunteer event where thousands of people volunteer to remove trash from beaches, rivers and waterways.
Registration is required. Volunteers will be assigned to work a cleanup site around the 11-mile loop of the bay.
If you are interested in volunteering at another beach, look at the California Coastal Commission’s map of cleanup locations.
When: September 20, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 2301 University Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Newport Bay Conservancy at info@newportbay.org
Teen Volunteer Opportunity
Teens are welcome to volunteer at the Huntington Central Library to sort and package the seeds donated to their seed library. Volunteers will label and pack new seeds for circulation in the community.
When: September 20, 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
Create Poetry
All ages are welcome to create blackout poetry at the Seal Beach Library. No registration required.
When: September 20, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 a.m.
Where: 707 Electric Ave, Seal Beach, CA 90740
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (562) 431-3584
South Orange County
Family Movie
Take the kids to a screening of “Coco” in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at the Rancho Santa Margarita Library.
When: September 20, 2:00 p.m. to 3:45 p.m.
Where: 30902 La Promesa, Rancho Santa Margarita, CA 92688
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 459-6094
Peruvian Music Performance
View a Peruvian-Andean musical performance by dance ensemble INCA at the San Juan Capistrano Library.
When: September 20, 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: 31495 El Camino Real, San Juan Capistrano, CA 92675
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 493-1752
Hike in Fremont Canyon
Embark on a morning hike into Fremont Canyon, one of Orange County’s more rugged nature preserves.
Registration is required.
When: September 21, 7:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Where: Fremont Staging Area, Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at irvineranchopenspace@ocparks.com
[Read: Hiking the ‘Rugged’ Remote OC — Fremont Canyon]
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.