There’s an exciting event coming up in the Tustin area this weekend that promises plenty of food and fun.  The Tustin Street Fair & Chili Cookoff will feature a chili-cooking teams from across the area, competing for a chance at major cash prizes and being declared the best chili in Tustin.

Several events are planned in conjunction with the cookoff, and there’s fun for everyone to enjoy.  There will be live entertainment throughout the day, as well as multiple craft vendors, carnival rides for the kids, car exhibitions, plus all the chili you can eat.  This family-friendly event comes only once a year, so don’t miss out on all the excitement.

The Tustin Street Fair & Chili Cookoff will take place down in Tustin this Sunday, June 5th, starting at 10:00 a.m. and lasting until 5:30 p.m.  The event will take place a few miles away from The Crossing,near Pepper Tree Park in downtown Tustin.  It’s free to attend as well, and chili tickets are just $1 per serving, so it’s a great entertainment option if you’re looking for something inexpensive.

You can check out their FAQ page as well for more information.

Photo Courtesy: stock.xchng

Next weekend on Saturday, June 4th there will be a charity walk/race to help raise funds to help fight Pulmonary Hypertension, a debilitating disease that affects many people across the nation.  Dubbed “Taylor’s Wish,” in honor of young Taylor Caffrey who died of Pulmonary Hypertension at the age of 4, this great cause helps to raise awareness for the disease and educate others about its effects on families.  The race will begin at 8:00 a.m. sharp on Saturday morning at 8270 E. Monte Vista Road, Anaheim Hills, CA 92808 at Sycamore Park.  Registration is required, and information on doing so can be found here.

All proceeds from the event will go towards helping find a cure.  Everyone is encouraged to consider making donations to the Taylor’s Wish organization, and plenty of volunteers are needed for the race event if you would like to help that way, as well.  With multiple ways to help the cause, everyone can be involved at some level.  Help support this worthy cause and make a difference in the community.

Photo Source: Taylor’s Wish

Photo Courtesy: Nirodha Abeywardana at stockvault

It’s the start of summer, so that means there will of course be lots of outdoor festivals going on, and the season is starting off right with this year’s Patchwork Indie Arts and Crafts Festival.  Going on Saturday, May 29th from 11:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m., residents are invited to hang out and see all the wonderful art on display.

Featuring close to 100 individual vendor artists selling their creations, you’re sure to find something you have to take home with you.  See some of the most beautiful clothing, pottery, glassware, jewelry and other specialty-made items for you to purchase.  There will also be plenty of local restaurants offering up goodies for you to snack on.  Parents can bring the kids along and let them enjoy the unique DIY craft booth.  And we can’t forget about all the live music that will be there for you to enjoy.

With all these awesome activities going on, how could you miss out?  The Patchwork festival certainly looks like a lot of fun, so hopefully we’ll see you out there!  If you want to find out more, check out their information page here.

The Red Bull Soap Box Race 2011 is about 30 minutes from Orange County in  Los Angeles and is back for its appearance as the tenth U.S. This event would be great for a quick weekend getaway. The Red Bull Soap Box Race is a global race for amateur drivers, which is fueled by creativity and competitive fun. Did we fail to mention tons and tons of the need for speed?

The unique non-motorized racing event challenges both experienced racers and first timers alike to design and build outrageous, human powered soapboxes powerhouses, and compete against the clock in a downhill race. The race will be held in downtown Los Angeles on Grand Avenue.

Approximately 40 teams will compete in this non-motorized racing event; which encourages gear heads and adrenaline junkies to break out their toolboxes. Drivers must be 18 years old to compete in the race on May 21. Grease monkeys of all ages are welcome.

Go to www.redbullsoapboxusa.com for more information.

Photo credit: tombdmot

The OC Greek Festival in Anaheim, California is a great event for this weekend. The OC Greek Festival is May 21-22 and is a great event for all The Crossing residents to experience.

The festival will be filled with a wide variety of authentic Greek Foods and homemade Greek Pastries. You’ll have fun as you dance to live Greek music by Synthesi, taste the true flavors of Greece, and stroll through the Plaka. While you’re there don’t forget to visit the “kid’s zone” filled with games, rides, and other special activities.

You can take a tour of the St. John the Baptist Greek Orthodox Church, the oldest Byzantine Church in Orange County, which began in 1960 after a group of Greek Orthodox Christians in Orange County desired to worship together and began to seek a necessary place of worship. Admission is $3 at the door and you can enjoy Grecian favorites such as Baklava and Karidopita.

Go to www.ocgreekfest.com for more information.

Photo credit: robstephaustralia

Are you a history buff? If so check out the New Birth of Freedom: Civil War to Civil Rights in California exhibit at the Fullerton Arboretum. This exhibit examines the issues of freedom and equality raised but unresolved by the Civil War era as well as the ways Californians fought for equality during the modern Civil Rights Movement as the state and the nation struggled to make good on what President Abraham Lincoln had termed a new “birth of freedom” at Gettysburg during the Civil War.

The exhibit opened on April 30 and continues to bring cultural facts to everyone who visits. It’s truly a treat to get to know and understand the history of not only California but the Unites States. The exhibition also examines the ways in which issues of freedom and equality continue to be debated today. New Birth of Freedom is culturally enriching students all around Southern California and Orange County.

For more information go to www.fullertonarboretum.com

Photo credit: chadh