CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRY FESTIVAL: It isn't often that organizers behind an event use the word "gooey" to tout a main event at a festival. But "gooey contests" are promised at this big fruitacular, in addition to cooking demos, kidly rides, and eating. Lots of eating. Now, where's the line for the strawberry nachos? In Oxnard, Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22
LONG BEACH PRIDE: Organizers expect over 80,000 festival goers over the two-day, water-close celebration. The headliners are many -- Monica and Taylor Dayne will be on the stages -- and the parade steps off on Sunday at 10:30 a.m. We're loving the book-your-parking-ahead feature. Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22
RED BULL SOAPBOX RACE: Yeah, we're still sweet on that one mullet-covered machine, but bet the human-powered vehicles grunting down Grand'll be plenty colorful. There might even be some genius involved in particular designs, or at least topicality. We heard a rumor an Angry Bird might be in the mix. Saturday, May 21
AMGEN TOUR OF CALIFORNIA: The final two stages of "the largest cycling event in the nation" are pedaling quickly through our area. Stage 7, on Saturday, May 21, heads from Claremont to Mt. Baldy. Stage 8, on Sunday, May 22, rides from Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks. There's a health festival at each finish line; bet fans'll load up on all sorts of bikely goods and lifestyle-y information.
BIG PARADE LA: If you've been wanting to get to know Bunker Hill or Los Feliz or Silver Lake -- like, really know -- we suggest joining this big ramble. Short but good walks around the eastside are on the docket (and lots of landmark-pointing-out, too). It's happening over two days, so the "big" part in the name fits. Saturday, May 21 and Sunday, May 22
