Independence day came early to the city of Eagle Rock as residents came out to the Eagle Rock Recreation Center on Sunday June 26th, 2015 to enjoy a live concert and fireworks display at dusk. The Neighborhood City Council and Congressman Jose Huizar introduced the live entertainment to the thousands that gathered on the hill and in the park to listen to “Elvis” as they waited for the much anticipated fireworks that had only been brought back to the city a few years prior.
In addition to music and fireworks, there was also a classic car show, where residents could marvel over the cars.
There was also a helicopter flyby to remember and honor the men and women who served and are still serving our country.
Fireworks lit up the sky at 9 pm for all to marvel at.
It was so spectacular, it even created a standstill on the 134 freeway as cars stopped to pay respect while gazing at the lights.
And local groups came out to support the community while offering information about their groups.
Watch here, a selection of Elvis music as well as the 6th annual fireworks display for your viewing pleasure.
As previously reported, Walt’s barn is open free to the public the third Sunday of each month. This year, volunteers have changed the exhibits and added more Disneyland themed trains including, the monorail, railroad cars and more.
Watch the video below to see more and remember to visit from 11-3 every third Sunday of the month.
On the second Sunday in June, the California Strawberry Commission brought a miniature version to the city of Encino. Residents could buy, taste and take home their own strawberry plants. In addition to strawberries, the festival had fun bounce houses for kids, arts and crafts and even a cancer education group shared about the 43rd Annual Cancer Convention being held at a local hotel in Universal City on the first week in September.
Watch now and learn more about what the festival had to offer, including tips on how to grow strawberries.
This year’s annual celebration brought the community of Oxnard together for its 32nd year as residents got to see everything Strawberry at the Strawberry Meadows in College Park. The two day festival took place on May 16 and 17 from 10 o’clock to 6:30 and featured a variety of different strawberry concoctions including chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry drinks and strawberry food.
There was also love music throughout the meadows of the college, arts and crafts for kids, strawberry themed rides and various food demonstrations including the much anticipated Berry Blast Off Recipe contest where the top two or 500 entries, compete in an hour-long competition for the title of best strawberry themed recipe, which includes a trip to a spa and a chance to compete in a national championship in November.
Watch the video below to see more about the recipes that won and the music that entertained crowds or click here to see past years.
On the second weekend in April, hundreds of pet owners and enthusiasts showed up in Costa Mesa at the Orange County Fairgrounds for the 26th Annual America’s Family Pet Expo. This is the largest pet expo in the area and includes over one thousand dogs, cats, birds, fish, pot belly pigs, goats, rats, reptiles, rabbits, and miniature horse to name a few. There were also lots of different animal demonstrations including therapy animals, police dogs and more.
Watch the video below to see more about what what was at this year’s expo including an exclusive interview with the authors of a dog book called True Tails From the Dog Park.
On the first Saturday in April, the City of Oxnard celebrated Earth day with fun and festivities at Plaza Park. There was free gardening tips with California friendly plants as well as composting and more for all in Plaza Park.
Watch the video below to see all the fun and activities that was provided free of charge to all residents.
Founded in 1999 by Ellie Laks, the Gentle Barn, located off the Sierra Highway in Santa Clarita, Calif. and is home to a variety of animals including Horses, Cows, Goats, Chickens, Turkeys, Pigs and many more. Her mission is to provide for, protect and rehabilitate animals who need special love and attention as well as to “teach people kindness and compassion to animals, each other and our planet.”
Celebrating over 15 years of love and protection, the gentle barn gives back to its community by allowing people to pet the animals.
The goats are especially loving of the attention that children give it.
Pigs stay cool in their little houses while enjoying the strokes of affection.
Cuddles Clare enjoys people’s love in the coolness of the shade.
This peacock as had enough as it retreats for cover.
Several horses live out their lives here as people fawn over them and show their affection with love and carrots.
Founder Ellie Laks says, “You haven’t lived until you’ve hugged a cow.”
The barn is open to the public Sundays from 10-2 and for a small donation, residents of all ages can see the animals and begin the healing process as they show love through stroking a chicken and hugging a cow.
For the first two weekends in March, residents celebrate the annual migration of the grey whale with a variety of fun events for all ages.
Large balloons including this grey whale entertained crowds as the parade made its way down the historic Pacific Coast Highway in Dana Point.
A friendly octopus greeted kids while flying high in the sky.
The sea turtle reminded of all of the wildlife in our oceans.
And residents didn’t need to go on a boat to see this killer whale as dozens of people controlled the largest balloon in the parade.
As the only human balloon, this pirate reminded crowds of the real people that sailed across the oceans.
Shark! But this one had to be kept down as winds made the balloon difficult to control.
There were also various high school marching bands and as well as Dana Point’s 5th Marine Regiment, who came all the way down from San Clemente to march for the whales.
Marines carried the colors as crowds saluted with miniature American Flags.
High school marching bands played various sea tunes and drum cadences down the highway.
Drill teams danced and Tall Flags twirled to the music.
There was also a street fair that further kept crowds entertained with a variety of different booths.
Ocean Institute reminded crowds of the various discoveries and creatures in the ocean.
local farmers brought their latest harvest to sale at the farmers market.
And pet day care groups like camp bow wow offered special offers to pet owners to encourage them to use their services.
Down by Dana Point Wharf, local artists had their latest creations on display for the Art Show and sale.
Artists of all types from photography to color pencil as well as paints brought out their latest creations of the sea.
These painting are on sale at Wharf until March 15.
Crowds marveled at the beauty that the artist captured.
And as the sun set at Lantern Park and crowds took in the beauty of the coast, the festival concluded its first day with a fitting movie overlooking the ocean.
The park overlooked the entire harbor area of Dana point.
Residents spread out blankets in the park as the sunset over the ocean.
The Disney Classic, The Little Mermaid entertained crowds as they enjoyed free popcorn and refreshments while watching the movie.
Hosted this year in Pomona by media sponsor Pet Life Radio , the So Cal Pet Expo welcomed all types of animals over the course of two days on February 21 and 22 as people roamed the fairgrounds looking for a variety of pet services and needs for their furry friends. There were local animal hospitals that offered free nail trims and low cost vaccines as well as homemade dog food. In addition, local authors came out to promote books such as, Cat Calls, about the adventures of the pet sitting business in addition to a dog behavior book called Bark and Lunge.
Watch the video below to see and hear more about what was attracting pet lovers to this year’s expo and the entertainment that kept them happy.
Asians in Riverside, Calif., brought in the Year of the Goat at the fifth Annual Asian Pacific Lunar New Year on Saturday January, 31st, 2015. There were lots of cultural entertainment all day as well as a health expo, Children’s Village where kids could make their own sheep and much more for everyone to experience.
The city of Riverside is a strong supporter of Asians and the Lunar New Year Celebration.
Taiko Drummers captivated audiences with their passion.
Young Children in their cultural wear, marched down Mission Inn Street as firecrackers welcomed the new year.
A half hour show entertained audiences and transported them to the islands of the Asian Pacific.
Keeping with the Asian theme, most of the costumes were some form of Japanese Anime.
From the popular Disney film frozen, this rendition of Elsa was part of the Cosplay fashion show.
To conclude the evening’s festivities, fireworks were shot off from the library roof.
Watch the video now, to see and hear just how residents started the New Year, the year of the goat.
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