Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by hiking through Black Star Canyon on a wilderness access day or attend a talk on vision health at the Tustin Library.
On Sunday, take your grandchild to a Grandparent’s Day storytime or go on a guided hike of the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.
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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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.
You can cut through the noise every morning by reading the free Voice of OC daily email newsletter.
You can also bookmark the Voice of OC calendar to stay ahead of key civic meetings impacting your quality of life during the week.
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
Morning Meditation
Start the day with a guided meditation session at the Yorba Linda Public Library.
When: September 6, 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m.
Where: 4852 Lakeview Ave, Yorba Linda, CA 92886
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 777-2873
Board Games at the Library
Enjoy playing board games at the Fullerton Public Library’s main branch. Beginner and experienced players are welcome.
When: September 6, 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Where: 353 W. Commonwealth Ave., Fullerton, CA 92832
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 738-632
Bilingual Family Storytime
Kids are welcome to the East Anaheim Branch Library for a storytime in English and Spanish.
When: September 6, 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 8201 E Santa Ana Canyon Rd., Anaheim, CA 92808
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 765-3887
Central Orange County
Labor Day Picnic
Join the Orange County Labor Federation, AFL-CIO at the Santa Ana Zoo for a picnic celebrating workers.
Attendees are required to RSVP.
When: September 6, 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 1801 E. Chestnut Ave., Santa Ana, CA 92701
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the OCLF (714) 385-1534 or info@oclabor.org
Learn About Vision Health
Visit the Tustin Library for a talk on vision health and provide a tour of the UCI Eye Mobile for Children, a vehicle which provides vision services to children across Orange County.
When: September 6, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 345 E. Main St., Tustin, CA 92780
Cost: Free
For more details, contact OC Read at (714) 566-3070 or ocread@occr.ocgov.com
Grandparent’s Day Storytime
Enjoy a storytime and craft with your grandchild at the Cypress Library.
When: September 7, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 5331 Orange Ave., Cypress, CA 90630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 826-0350
Coastal Orange County
Makerspace Open Hours
Visit the Huntington Beach Central Library’s makerspace – a creative space with machines such as a laser engraver, embroidering machine, 3D printers and other equipment.
To reserve equipment, attendees must make an appointment.
When: September 6, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 7111 Talbert Ave., Huntington Beach, CA 92648
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 842-4481
Digitize Your Memories
Use equipment such as a VHS converter, cassette deck, floppy disk drive and Super 8 film converter to digitize family photographs at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library.
When: September 7, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.
Where: 1855 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 646-8845
Guided Interpretive Hike in Back Bay
Enjoy learning about local flora and fauna during a 2.5-mile hike in the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve.
Registration is required.
When: September 7, 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
South Orange County
Wilderness Access Day
Explore Black Star Canyon on a wilderness access day, an opportunity for residents to take self-guided hikes in the wilderness park.
When: September 6, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: 13333 Black Star Canyon Rd, Silverado, CA 92676
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
[Read: Discovering Orange County’s Black Star Canyon Wilderness Park]
Learn to Cross Stitch
Learn how to cross stitch using embroidery floss, Aida cloth and a tapestry needle at the Library of the Canyons. All supplies provided.
When: September 6, 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
Art Journaling
Enjoy an art journaling group at the Laguna Niguel Library on Sunday afternoon. Learn a new art technique from artist Deborah Goldman for use in the journal.
Registration is required due to limited spaces available.
When: September 7, 1:30 p.m. to 4:00 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
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.