Consider starting your weekend this Saturday by attending the Rancho Days Fiesta at the Heritage Hill Historical Park or by visiting Founders’ Park, where you can learn about the City of Anaheim’s early history.
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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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.
South Orange County
Rancho Days Fiesta
Learn about Orange County’s rancho era at the annual Rancho Days Fiesta, hosted at the Heritage Hill Historical Park.
Activities and performances include: Native American and Folklorico dancing, Charro horse riding, roping demonstrations, piñata breaking, exhibits and ranching hands-on activities.
The park’s historic buildings will also be open.
When: May 2, 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 25151 Serrano Rd., Lake Forest, CA 92630-2534
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the Heritage Hill Historic Park at heritagehill@ocparks.com or call (949) 923-2230
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: May 2, 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]
Wildflower Activity
Grandparents are invited to the El Toro Library to create wildflower seed pods together.
No registration necessary.
When: May 2, 11:00 a.m.. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 24672 Raymond Way, Lake Forest, CA 92630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 855-8173
North Orange County
Founders’ Park Open House
Learn about the history of the City of Anaheim during a visit to Founders’ Park, where Orange County’s oldest museum is located. The museum, known as the Mother Colony House, was home to “the father of Anaheim” and one of the first homes constructed during the city’s founding in 1857.
When: May 2, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Where: 400 North West St., Anaheim, CA 92805
Cost: Free
For more details, contact Founder’s Park at (714) 765-1700
Estate Planning Workshop
Learn about estate planning during a presentation on the topic at the Cypress Library.
Refreshments will be provided by the Friends of the Library.
When: May 2, 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Where: 5331 Orange Ave., Cypress, CA 90630
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 826-0350
Central Orange County
Wellness Workshop
Attend a health literacy workshop at the Tustin Library.
When: May 2, 2:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.
Where: 345 E Main St., Tustin, CA 92780
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (714) 544-7725
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: May 2 or 3, 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
Study for AP Exams
Teens 7th-12th grade are welcome to visit the second floor Sword Meeting Room to study for upcoming Advanced Placement (AP) examinations.
No registration required.
When: May 2, 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Where: 1000 Avocado Ave., Newport Beach, California 92660
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 717-3800
Lego Club
Take your kids to play with Legos at the Laguna Beach Library.
When: May 2, 3:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Where: 363 Glenneyre St., Laguna Beach, CA 92651
Cost: Free
For more details, contact the library at (949) 497-1733
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.