Summer/Fall Events Along California Coast

The California coast is full of spectacular views, but this summer and fall, visitors will also find a variety of entertaining events to choose from while cruising the coast. From art and music to food and wine, the event calendar along the California coast is as varied as its many residents and visitors. 

In Southern California, art will come to life at the Pageant of the Masters in Laguna Beach. After dark, take in "The Big Picture," with productions nightly from July 7 to  August 31. Celebrating 80 years of "living pictures" that re-create classic works of art, more than 500 volunteers from Laguna Beach and surrounding communities are transformed into life-sized world-famous paintings, sculptures and other works of art. 

Heading north to the central coast, visitors can rock out to an eclectic variety of music at the Stone Soup Music Festival in Grover Beach, San Luis Obispo County on August 24. This popular two-day festival offers a great variety of live music on two stages, eclectic vendor booths, and plenty of international foods. 

Or take a bite out of summer at the Avocado & Margarita Festival in Morro Bay on September 14 and 15. Sample guacamole till you see green! Quench your thirst with Cabo Wabo Margarita's. Held outdoors, there are contests for best guacamole and best local avocado-based recipes, live music and kids events. Beer and wine also available.

Up along the scenic Northern California coast, from August 30 to September 2 visitors can go back in time and say hello to Paul Bunyon and his big blue ox, Babe during the Paul Bunyan Days in Fort Bragg, Mendocino County. It’s a lumberjack rowdy good time for the family – watch the logging show, vote in the Ugly Dog Contest, meet Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox, stay out of the Kangaroo Kort, get wet at the Fireman's Water Fight, and enjoy fresh fish, BBQ, pies, and a whole lot more. 

For more information on these and many other California coastal events: www.VisitCalifornia.com.

For more information about top events in California take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in California.

Dig the New Free Family Entertainment Shows

Families attending this year’s Missouri State Fair can enjoy hours of free, exciting professional entertainment. 

The schedule will include everything from new features like the Welde’s Big Bear Expedition and Knights of Valour, a full metal jousting troupe, to returning crowd favorites, such as the Amazing Anastasini Circus, sponsored by U.S. Cellular, racing pigs, sponsored by Bluegreen Corporation and petting zoo, sponsored by Sam’s Club.

“The Missouri State Fair will offer an incredible schedule of free entertainment,” Fair Director Mark Wolfe said. “The free shows this year will entertain fairgoers of all ages, making the State Fair an especially economical choice as a summer family destination.”

The new Welde’s Big Bear Expedition features a family of bears, which serves as wildlife ambassadors, located west of the Agriculture Building from August 8-18. The bears have notable lineage, with their bear relatives performing with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus in the 1940s.

Knights of Valour, as seen on the History Channel, are North America’s premier full-contact joust troupe.  The troupe will alternate between performing weapons demonstrations and jousting in shows at the State Fair Arena. This one-day-only experience will include exciting horsemanship, bravery and chivalry from noon to 5:15pm on August 11.

The State Fair will also provide four stages packed with 11 days of free, professional entertainment.  Acts on the Kids Stage, sponsored by Subway, will include the Thank a Farmer Magic Show August 8-18, Babaloo Music and Fun August 8-12 and Spoon Man August 13-18.  The Thank a Farmer Magic Show will engage children in learning about agriculture, while Babaloo will provide over-the-top singing, dancing and shouting fun. The Spoon Man act will be a real stirring experience of comedy and laughter.

Music, comedy and variety acts are scheduled on three other free entertainment venues.

The 111th Missouri State Fair, themed “Chicks Dig It!", will be held August 8-18 in Sedalia. For more information about the Missouri State Fair and the entertainment line-up, visit www.mostatefair.com, follow the Fair on Facebook Missouri State Fair  and Twitter, or call 1-800-422-FAIR (3247).

For more information about top events in Missouri take a look at the Top Events USA selection of the annual main festivals and events in Missouri.