As Earth Day approaches next week, consider attending the annual celebration at the Upper Newport Bay Nature Preserve or taking the kids to a screening of “Wall-E” at the Sunkist Library in Anaheim.
Earth Day was founded by Senator Gaylord Nelson of Wisconsin following an oil spill off the coast of Santa Barbara in 1969. On April 22, 1970, the first Earth Day brought an estimated 20 million Americans into the streets to call for environmental protections.
Earth Day is observed by more than a billion people around the world each year today.
Outside of Earth Day activities, families can catch a screening of “The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants”at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library on Sunday.
These are 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.
Coastal Orange County
Earth Day Celebration
Enjoy a celebration of Earth Day with the Newport Bay Conservancy and OC Parks.
The event has educational science exhibits, food trucks, live music and local artists. There will be a scavenger hunt with prizes and an opportunity drawing.
When: April 18, 10:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 2301 University Dr., Newport Beach, CA 92660
Cost: Free
For more details, contact (949) 923-2290 or email unbic@ocparks.com
Family Movie
Enjoy a screening of “The Spongebob Movie: Search for Squarepants” at the Costa Mesa Donald Dungan Library.
When: April 19, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 1855 Park Ave., Costa Mesa, CA 92627
Cost: Free
For more details, please contact the library at (949) 646-8845
North Orange County
Earth Day Movie
Enjoy a screening of the 2008 movie “Wall-E” at the Anaheim Sunkist Library.
When: April 18, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 901 S Sunkist St., Anaheim, CA 92806
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Founder’s Park at (714) 765-1700
Learn to Sew
Attend Sewing 101 at the Placentia Library for a hands-on demo of a sewing machine, including winding a bobbin and types of stitches. Materials will be provided for a starter project making a hot pad.
Entry tickets will be issued starting at 12:30 p.m. the day of the program at the library.
When: April 18, 1:00 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
Lotería
All ages are invited to play lotería at the Garden Grove Tibor Rubin Library. Lotería is a Mexican board game similar to Bingo.
Attendees can win books and coupons. No registration required.
When: April 18, 3:00 p.m. to 4:14 p.m.
Where: 11962 Bailey St., Garden Grove, CA 92845
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 897-2594
Movie Screening
Adults and teens can see a screening of the movie “Now You See Me: Now You Don’t” at the Fountain Valley Library.
No registration is required.
When: April 18, 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 17635 Los Alamos St., Fountain Valley, CA 92708
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 962-1324
Morning Fitness Hike
See panoramic views of Orange County on a fitness hike through Hicks Haul Road, West Loma and Shoestring trails in Limestone Canyon.
Registration is required.
When: April 19, 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m.
Where: 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
South Orange County
Wilderness Access Day
Explore the Red Rocks Wilderness during a self-guided access day. People will be able to hike on a trail network more than 8 miles long with a scenic overlook that offers views of the nearby Black Star Canyon Wilderness, Irvine Lake and Santiago Canyon.
Advanced registration is required.
When: April 18, 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Where: Augustine Staging Area, 5524 Santiago Canyon Road, Silverado, CA
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Irvine Ranch Conservancy at info@irconservancy.org or visit letsgooutside.org
Family Songwriting Event
Explore the basics of songwriting, like drafting song lyrics and music composition, during a workshop at the Ladera Ranch Library. Family members of all ages are encouraged to participate together.
Registration is required. Please call OC Read at (714) 566-3070, or email readoc@occr.ocgov.com to sign up.
When: April 18, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 29551 Sienna Pkwy., Ladera Ranch, CA 92694
Cost: Free
For more details and to register, contact the library at (949) 234-5940
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.