Memorial Weekend through May 26, 2008. Location: Arrowhead Avenue between Mill Street and Orange Show Road, Riverside, CA. nationalorangeshow.com

The pig races shown in the courtesy picture from the National Orange Show Festival show just what hams pigs can be as they run past the camera. Pig race and funnel cakes are two crowd pleasers at the annual Riverside Orange festival event.

National Orange Show Festival in Riverside is one of the most celebrated, fun events of the year. Held annually in May, usually on Memorial Day Weekend, it includes pig races, a fairway with carnival rides, funnel cakes, lemonade, hot dogs, great food, orange drinks, mariachis, live bands, games and entertainment and fun for all ages.

Usually a four-day event, the first day of admission is sometimes free, and there are special promotions for other days. Operated by NOS Events, the organization that holds this annual festival hosts a number of events throughout the year on the festival grounds. Other popular events held at this venue annually is the Pacific Rim International Wine Competition, and Holiday Tree Light Ceremony. The organization rents the event space for conferences, shows and sporting events and has an 11,000 car park capacity.

For the four day festival, there are home arts and shopper pavilions much like a county fair. Model trains, home products, crafts, a petting zoo, circus tent, band stage with entertainment all day long and 120 acres of activities await attendees. One of the previous popular contests is the competition for dogs to catch the flying Frisbee.

Location: Arrowhead Avenue between Mill Street and Orange Show Road adjacent to I-215 near the Inland Center Mall in Riverside, CA. Cost: $10 (approx) - free for kids 5 and under. Parking ranges from $5-10. nationalorangeshow.com

Can't make this festival? There are many other May festivals and fairs in California.

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