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Dana Point Festival of Whales Annual Event Dana Point California

 

Held in conjunction with the annual Dana Point Whale Watching tours is Dana Point Festival of the Whales. The Annual Festival occurs  Festival of Whales. Call: (949) 496-5794. 

 

PARADE

Held in conjunction with the annual Dana Point Whale Watching tours is Festival of the Whales. The event begins with a parade. Festival of Whales Parade, Magical Migration, includes themed floats and costumes. Beginning at 10 am, the colorful floats will begin moving along the parade route, showcasing the handiwork of local participants who have designed and decorated the floats themselves.  Location: Begins at Pacific Coast Highway from Selva Road to Golden Lantern in Dana Point.  Sponsorship: (949) 248-3593.The Annual Festival occurs March 7,8, 14, 15, 2009 Festival of Whales.  festivalofwhales.com

 

STREET FAIRE

Street Faire includes booths and more activities for children and families. The Faire will have arts and crafts booths, including food vendors and live entertainment. Farmers Market features locally grown vegetables, fruits and produce, and is an added highlight to the event. But not to be missed is the Battle of the Bands beginning at Noon each day during this weekend event..  It's a family event, with fun for everyone. It is held on Saturday, March 7, and Sunday, March 8.  It will be held Saturday after the parade ends. Call: 800-290-DANA.

HORSESHOE TOURNAMENT

at Doheny State Beach Park horseshoe courts located on the beach near lifeguard station #9 just south of the overnight camping area. “Whale of a Shoe” Tournament entry sign-ups are will commence Saturday morning, Noon deadline. Play begins at 12:30 pm using a tournament format appropriate for the number of players entered. Bring your own horseshoes along with a $10 entry donation and enjoy this fun tournament with prizes for the winners. Call: Hal Griswold at 949/496-0577.

 

ADDITIONAL
Kids Activities:

Children ages 6 and up can paddle around the OC Sailing and Event Center’s Boatyard and docks with camp instructors.  Time: 12 - 3 pm. 30 minutes: $5/ person. Older kids can sail. They'll learn how to steer and sail a Capri 14! Ages 5 and up, 12 – 4 pm. $15 per boat, three people maximum (half-hour session). Lifejackets provided. An ocean-themed carnival appropriate for ages 3 to 12 will also be located at this venue from 10am - 2pm. Games cost 25 cents each. And if that's not enough fun, Ocean Crafts will help children create keepsake items. Time for this event is from 10am - 2pm. $1 per craft, including craft supplies, materials Call: 949-923-2215.

Previous Events
 

Dana Point Historical Society Walking Tour
Meet at Bella Bazaar located at 34091 Pacific Coast Highway (corner of Blue Lantern and PCH) for a Walking Tour. Time: 2 p.m. Cost: Free. Call: 949-248-8121.danapointhistorical.org.

Harbor Music Series Presented by the Dana Point Harbor Association in the Jolly Roger Courtyard in Dana Wharf and Harpoon Henry Grassy Area near Mariner’s Village 12 – 3 pm.  949-923-2255 or danapointharbor.com FREE

Saturday Evening Campfire Program includes sea tales and whales, sharks and other sea life at Doheny State Beach Campfire Center (in the campground) at 6 pm. Please alert entrance station staff upon arrival so they do not charge for vehicle entrance and direct visitors to appropriate parking location/site of campfire program. Please Note: Rain cancels evening program 949-496-2704 or www.dohenystatebeach.org FREE

 

Dana Point Fine Arts Association Show & Sale from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. The art will be on display at the Harbor Boardwalk along the boat docks in Mariner's Village. Paintings, photography and original art will be sold. Call: Frank Stockl 949-363-5247 or Franksfotoimages@aol.com.

Ocean Institute open
Captain Mike Bursk will discuss his research on gray whales in Baja from 12:30 to 1:30 pm. Admission to Ocean Institute, offering a glimpse into life at sea during the early whaling days. Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.  Cost: $6 adult; $4 for child 3-12; Free under 2.

 

So Cal Woodies on Display at Baby Beach
So Cal Woodies, a Southern California Chapter of the National Woodie Club,  will drive after the parade to the grass lawns next to Baby Beach. This very cool car affiliated with surfing and beaches represents the spirit of Dana Point, providing the perfect display to wander down and check out during the event.

 

Volleyball Tournament

Doheny Beach is where the action begins on the sand around 8 a.m. with this tournament featuring prizes, and probably some mighty fine players. Southern California is home base for some of the world's finest volleyball players, so be prepared for hot action!

 

The street fair, family hikes, tours aboard the Tallship Pilgrim, the Fine Arts Show & Sail and the Socal Woodies on display round out a weekend of excitement, along with kayaking, hikes and more.

 

 

If you missed the parade and other excitement the week before, or you didn't get enough, here's more celebrating of the whales.

 

Farmers Market goes from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

There's a free music concert from Noon to 3 in the Jolly Roger courtyard.

The Festival of Whales Jr. Charity Regatta starts at 11:55 from the harbor

Dana Point Fine Arts Show & Sale will go from 9:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Whale of a Rubber Ducky Race goes from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Baby Beach  See more Rubber Duck Events

Family Campfire will be at 6 p.m. at Doheny Beach

More excitement and fun throughout the day and evening includes, hikes, sailing lessons, demonstrations, food booths, games, and one of our favorites, the Dana Point Historical Society Walking Tour, which starts at 2 p.m. at 34091 Pacific Coast Highway (corner of Blue Lantern and PCH at Bella Bazaar. And best of all, it's free, as well!

 

Festival of the Whale Grunion Run starts at 9 a.m. No, this isn't the silvery fish catch, but a 1K to 5K run. festivalofwhalesgrunionrun.com

Whale of a Pancake Breakfast goes from 8:30 to 11 a.m. Cost: $5 adult, $3 child. Location is OC Sailing and Event Center's Dana Cove Room, Dana Point, CA.

Farmers Market and Culinary Adventure from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. includes flower decorating demos, cooking demos, etc.

Tijuana Dogs band launches a noontime concert at Baby Beach, followed by another band. There's liquor for the 21+ crowd and food galore sold at this event. The afternoon of beach entertainment allows folks to relax and really watch for whales, rather than run, jump, shop, and talk.

 

whale balloon

 

Photo posted courtesy of THE SOURCE for this event, the best on the coast. See dpfestivalofwhales.com, headquarters for the event.



 

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Dana Point Festival of the Whales

 

 



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