Community events in San Diego County: From Legacy Week at the Midway to Bouquet Ride

Annual Amigo Fun Walk/Run
The second Amigo Fun Walk/Run, a community fundraiser, starts with check-in at 8 a.m. May 24 at Provence House, 4370 Sweetwater Road. The 3.2K walk/run takes off at 8:30 a.m. from Provence House to the Sweetwater Walking Trail, along the scenic Rohr Park. Water and runner medallions will be at the Provence House from 11:30 a.m. to noon. Fee is $25. Visit /e/2nd-annual-amigo-fun-walkrun-community-event-fundraiser-tickets-1336181417589.
Democratic Club to discuss immigration
The Democratic Club of Carlsbad and Oceanside will meet from 10 a.m. to noon May 24 at 2375 Camino Vida Roble, Suite A. There will be a panel discussion on, “Immigration: Some History and an Update on the Current Situation.” Panelists include Chris Duncan, former mayor of San Clemente and senior attorney at the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in the Department of Homeland Security, and Laurie Jacobs, retired Immigration Service employee and activist. Admission is free. Visit .
CHULA VISTA
Free genealogy class
The Chula Vista Genealogical Society will host a free genealogy education class from 1 to 3 p.m. May 20 at the Bonita-Sunnyside Library Community Room, 4375 Bonita Road. The class topic is “I got my DNA Results – what’s next?” Bring your laptop or tablet. Walk-ins are welcome or you can register at .
Flag placement for Memorial Day
A flag placement event is at 10 a.m. May 23 at Veterans Park, 785 E. Palomar St. Community members can honor veterans by placing American flags along the park’s “Walk of Honor” walkway, which is paved with bricks inscribed with the names of veterans. Visit .
Neighbor Day Festival
The eighth annual ‘Neighbor Day’ festival is from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. May 17 at Lauderbach Park, 333 Oxford St. The Chula Vista Police and Fire Departments will kick off the free event at 9 a.m. with a free pancake breakfast. The celebration continues until 1 p.m. with entertainment, live music and family activities.
Navy commander to speak at Memorial Day event
St. Peter’s Episcopal Church will hold its annual community Memorial Day service remembering fallen service members at 11 a.m. May 26 at 334 14th St. This year’s speaker will be Navy Lt. Cmdr. Brad DeVore. The service of hymns and prayer will be followed by a memorial roll call of members of the armed services who died in active duty. The service concludes with the playing of taps. Visit .
Taps Across America
Community members can join Taps Across America with a live taps bugle call at 3 p.m. May 26 at the flagpole of First Presbyterian Church, 500 Farragut Circle. Thousands of participants across the country will sound the 24 notes of the most solemn bugle call, taps, to honor and remember fallen military members. All are welcome to attend. Visit .
Orchid show at botanic garden
The San Diego Botanic Garden runs its annual spring orchids show, “World of Orchids,” through June 1 in the glass-enclosed Dickinson Family Education Conservatory, 300 Quail Gardens Drive. The show includes plants on loan from the San Diego County Orchid Society and the Palomar Orchid Society, along with local businesses. There will be classes and vendors on select weekends. Garden hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (closed Tuesdays). Reservations are recommended. Show entry is included with $18 garden admission; $15 for military, students, ages 60 and older; $10 for ages 3 to 17; and free for younger than 3 and for garden members. Visit /world-of-orchids.
Current Events Group meets weekly
A Current Events Group for adults age 50 and older meets from 1 to 2:30 p.m. Tuesdays for a casual, lively roundtable discussion of noteworthy local, national and international topics in the news. The meeting is at the Encinitas Community and Senior Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. Admission is free. All seniors are welcome. Visit .
Animal shelter offers pet loss support
The Rancho Coastal Humane Society offers one-on-one, 20-minute telephone support consultations for people who recently lost pets, have pets suffering from major illnesses, or are in the process of saying goodbye to pets. The next consultation day is from 9 to 11 a.m. May 17. Appointments must be made no later than 11 a.m. May 16. For more information or to make an appointment to speak with a counselor, email petlosssupport@. A 24-hour Access and Crisis Line is at 888-724-7240.
In-Person Pet Loss Support Group
The In-Person Pet Loss Support Group meets at Vivian’s Learning Center at Rancho Coastal Humane Society from 9 to 10:30 a.m. on the second and fourth Saturdays of the month. The next one is May 24. There’s no fee to attend, but donations are at /petlosssupportprogram or email petlosssupport@.
Nominations sought for North County Arts Awards
The California Center for the Arts, Escondido holds its inaugural North County Arts Awards, celebrating North County talent and creativity and honoring individuals in 18 categories in visual, culinary and performing arts. A formal black-tie awards dinner will be June 28 at the California Center for the Arts, Escondido Conference Center. Nominations due by June 1. Community members can submit write-in nominations. The top five nominees in each category — based on the number of nominations received — advance to finalists. A selection committee composed of leaders in the arts and civic sectors will determine the final award recipients. Submit a nomination at .
Parents Party at park
The Reproductive Partners Fertility Center will host a Parents Party from noon to 5 p.m. May 17 at Felicita Park, 742 Clarence Lane. Highlights include carnival games for all ages, food, treats, entertainment and live music. Free tickets are at /e/rpsds-25th-anniversary-parents-party-tickets-1138815902019.
Annual Vintage Car Show
The Fallbrook Vintage Car Club’s 58th annual Car Show is from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. May 25 in downtown Fallbrook. This year’s featured car will be the Porsche. Highlights include music, entertainment and food trucks. Admission for spectators is free. Visit /carshow.
IMPERIAL BEACH
Memorial Day Weekend Market
The annual Memorial Day Weekend Market with “fun, shopping and community support” is from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. May 24 at 829 Seacoast Drive. Vendors are encouraged to decorate their booths in red, white and blue. Vendor fee is $50 through Venmo at @ibartisanmarket. Call 619-327-8302.
Free self-care class
A free class on Caring For Yourself will be offered by the Sharp Community Resource Center from 1 to 3 p.m. May 21 at Grossmont Healthcare District Conference Center, 9001 Wakarusa St. A licensed psychotherapist will teach how to reorganize priorities to highlight caring for yourself amid life’s stress. Free on-site parking is available. Register at 800-827-4277 or visit /classes.
NORTH COUNTY
Bugler to play taps for Memorial Day
Bugles Across America is partnering with Stater Bros. Markets to host a bugler to play a live rendition of taps after a moment of silence at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day at some Stater Bros. locations, paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice serving the country. Local participating locations include 3770 Mission Ave., in Oceanside, 9909 Carmel Mountain Road, San Diego, and 1048 N. El Camino Real, in Encinitas.
Republican Women’s group hosts speakers
The North County Republican Women will meet at 9:15 a.m. May 21 at the Lomas Santa Fe Country Club, 1505 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. Doors open for the breakfast meeting at 9:15 a.m. The meeting will begin at 10 a.m. The speaker will be Loren Spivack, also known as Dr. Truth, founder of “Free Market Warrior,” who is author of “The New Democrat” and “The Gorax.” The group will hear an update on the “Recall Newsom” petition by Randy Economy, founder and chairman of Saving California. Cost is $20 for members; $25 for guests. RSVP by May 19 at .
Veterans group puts on car show
The Veterans Association of North County will put on its seventh annual car show from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 14 at the VANC resource center, 1617 Mission Ave. The show will feature a wide range of cars, trucks and vehicles along with live music. All years, makes and models are welcome, and trophies will be given to the best entry in several categories. A pancake breakfast is at 8 a.m. for registrants. Breakfast, lunch and drinks are available for purchase. Parking is limited to the first 110 registrants. Free admission for spectators. Early bird car entry fee is $30 through June 11; $50 June 12-14. Visit /car-show.
Veterans celebrate with Book Launch Party
The Veterans’ Writing Group of San Diego County will put on a Book Launch Party from 1 to 3 p.m. May 23 at the Veterans Association of North County, 1617 Mission Ave. Attendees can meet the authors, buy copies of the book by veterans and get autographs. Highlights include wine and cheese. Visit /view/veteranswritinggroup/home.
Marine colonel to speak at veterans center
The Veterans Association of North County hosts a Memorial Day ceremony from 10 a.m. to noon May 26 in the VANC resource center, 1617 Mission Ave. The guest speaker is retired Marine Col. Willy Buhl, deputy assistant chief of staff for government and external affairs, MCI-West. Free lunch will be served after the program. RSVP is required at 760-722-1277 or /memorial-day-ceremony.
RANCHO BERNARDO
The Rancho Bernardo Historical Society hosts its 18th annual pancake festival honoring the military from 8 to 11 a.m. May 26 at Webb Park with live music, a circus demonstration team, a silent auction and face painting. A raffle will be held adjacent to the Veterans Memorial, thanks to Los Rancheros Kiwanis Club. The cost to attend is $15; free for veterans, active military and children younger than 3. Visit .
Tropical and Turquoise fundraiser
The nonprofit American Cancer Society Discovery Shop features turquoise jewelry, sundresses, sandals, hats and more for summer. Proceeds from the sale of the shop’s gently used, upscale donated merchandise support the fight against cancer. The store is open 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Mondays to Saturdays and 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays in the Plaza at Rancho Bernardo, 16787 Bernardo Center Drive. Call 858-385-0479.
Gala aboard the Midway supports veterans
Workshops for Warriors, a nonprofit that equips veterans and transitioning service members with skills for careers in advanced manufacturing, will host the Forging Futures Gala from 6 to 10 p.m. May 31 aboard the USS Midway Museum, 910 N. Harbor Drive. Highlights include dinner, a live auction, entertainment and testimonials from program graduates. Proceeds support the nonprofit, including its instructor certification program, allowing the nonprofit to expand its impact locally and nationwide. Visit .
Taste of East Village
The third annual Taste of East Village is from 4 to 8 p.m. May 21-22 featuring samples of diverse culinary offerings from more than 30 of the downtown neighborhood’s most popular restaurants. At check-in, ticket holders will be given a Taste Passport, which will serve as a guide to the participating restaurants in the neighborhood and allow them to record their favorite appetizers, entrees, desserts and beverages. Tickets are $45, plus a service fee. Visit .
Legacy Week at Midway Museum
A series of events will take place as part of the USS Midway Museum’s annual Legacy Week lineup. The Imperial Valley Master Chorale will be singing on the flight deck at noon May 24. Meet former military aviators and see the planes they flew from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. May 25. On May 26, a wreath ceremony is at 9 a.m. in remembrance of service members who died in the line of service. The event will include guest speakers, a flyover and ceremonial tossing of a memorial wreath over the ship in honor of the fallen. Also that day, there will be patriotic music by the ensemble of U.S. Coast Guard Arizona Band at 11 a.m. and 2:15 p.m., and patriotic entertainment will start at 12:30 p.m. with Bonita Vista High School’s show choir, Music Machine, performing on the flight deck. A Moment of Remembrance will be observed with a moment of silence at 3 p.m. May 26 on the flight deck to honor those who have fallen while serving in the U.S. military. A remembrance wall and temporary exhibit with photos will be displayed May 23-26 in the Hangar Bay honoring military members. Visit /legacy-week.
Kiwanis Club holds get togethers
The nonprofit Kiwanis Club of San Diego holds several events this month, including at noon May 20 at Elijah’s Restaurant, 7061 Clairemont Mesa Blvd., with architects Ricardo Rabines and Taal Safdie speaking; cost is $35. Also coming up at 9 a.m. May 21 is a meeting for volunteering with Red Shoe Day, benefiting Ronald McDonald House. Visit .
Operation Flags for Vets seeks volunteers
In honor of Memorial Day and the military men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice, Rotary District 5340 members and community volunteers will place 22,000 American flags on each veteran’s grave at Miramar National Cemetery. Operation Flags for Vets will be held from 2:30 to 6:30 p.m. May 24 at Miramar National Cemetery. The Rotary is looking for volunteers to help pull the flags at 3 p.m. May 27. Visit /upcoming-events/operation-flags-for-vets-2025.
Memorial Day celebration
A Memorial Day celebration at the Logan Heights Veterans Memorial Monument will be held at 11 a.m. May 26 in the 1900 block of Logan Avenue across from Chicano Park. The program includes taps, raising of the flag, the national anthem, prayers, speakers and the reading of names of past veterans. Guest speakers include former San Diego Chargers linebacker Donnie Edwards, co-founder of Best Defense Foundation, serving veterans. Returning home will be U.S. Air Force veteran Jim Estrada, retired local award-winning television documentary producer and CEO Estrada Communications Group.
Fundraiser benefits HIV/AIDS service group
POZabilities, a local HIV/AIDS service organization, hosts a fundraiser Let’s Flamingle, a flamingo-themed celebration, from 1 to 4 p.m. May 26 at Mercy Gardens Patio, 540 Lewis St. The event will feature food and raffle prizes. Attendees can wear flamingo-inspired fashion and participate in contests for “most outrageous” and “most original” attire. POZabilities is seeking raffle prize donations. Visit .
Veterans For Peace hosts display
The nonprofit San Diego Veterans For Peace will set up its Hometown Arlington West Memorial, on display from 7 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 26 on the front lawn of the USS Midway Museum, 910 N. Harbor Drive. Chapter veterans from five branches of services will honor several hundred comrades from Southern California who have died in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. There will be memorial markers and the public is asked to stop by, read their names and reflect on their sacrifice. Visit .
Annual Bouquet Ride
The fifth annual Bouquet Ride is May 24 to honor heroes who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to the country. More than 200 cyclists are expected to join the Fallen Hero Honor Ride, which starts at 9 a.m. from California Bicycle, 7462 La Jolla Blvd., and heads to Rosecrans National Cemetery in Point Loma. Kevin, Jill and Jason Millard, owners of California Bicycle, are among the Gold Star Families that will be recognized at the event. There will be a laying of wreaths and flowers for all of the fallen, followed by brief comments. Ride time to the site is about one hour. Refreshments will be provided. On May 26, all are invited to the national Memorial Day honor ceremony at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery. Visit .
Summer concert series starts
A free summer concert series kickoff is from noon to 3 p.m. May 24 at AMC Court-Mission Valley mall, 1640 Camino Del Rio N. Highlights of the family-friendly Hawaiian-themed celebration include hula dancers, live reggae and beach music along with a hula-hoop contest, free gelato and giveaways. For other concerts in the series, visit /events/542413601932203.
Nonprofit offers free dental care
Locally based nonprofit Cura Smiles provides free dental services by volunteer dentists to community members in need who would not otherwise have dental care. The clinic at 4101 University Ave. is typically open Tuesdays, Thursdays and on some Saturdays. It accepts walk-in patients, but there is a long waitlist. The nonprofit is looking for fundraising support from the community to continue its services. Visit .
Choir gives Spring Masterwork Concert
The St. Mark’s Chancel Choir will present a Spring Masterwork Concert featuring “Requiem for the Living” by Dan Forrest at 4 p.m. May 18 as part of St. Mark’s concert series. This modern masterpiece combines harmonies and texts, offering a meditation on life, loss and hope. Visit /concert-series.
Flag placement event at national cemetery
Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery hosts a flag placement event at 8 a.m. May 24 at the cemetery, 1700 Cabrillo Memorial Drive, and volunteers are needed to place flags on gravesites. Volunteers are also needed to remove flags at 9 a.m. May 27. Call 619-553-2084.
Memorial Day ceremony at cemetery
VFW Post 3795 will host a Memorial Day ceremony with patriotic music, the Pledge of Allegiance, the national anthem, a color guard and speakers from 9 to 11 a.m. May 26 at San Marcos Cemetery, 1021 Mulberry Drive. Call 760-744-3795.
Memorial Day ‘Hoist’ to honor military
The 20th annual Memorial Day “Hoist” to honor the fallen who died in service to the country is from 5:45 to 7 p.m. May 26 at Churchill’s Pub & Grille, 887 W. San Marcos Blvd. The event begins with Mounting of the Service Colors, then the observance, followed by a moment of silence during eight bells and the playing of taps. The guest speaker is Amy Forsythe, award-winning military photojournalist who served as a Marine and is currently in the Navy Reserves. Forsythe is author of “Heroes Live Here: A Tribute to Camp Pendleton Marines.” Visit .
Friday Nights Live
Santee continues the free Friday Nights Live series from 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 23 and May 30 at Santee Trolley Square, 9884 Mission Gorge Road. The event includes live performances from local groups along with a variety of family-friendly activities such as face painting, caricature artists, a rock-climbing wall and arts and crafts. Attendees can grab a bite a local eateries. Visit /our-community/city-special-events.
SOLANA BEACH
Panel discussion on aging
A free panel discussion on “Aging in your Home Safely, Your Way, Get Help you need,” sponsored by the Solana Beach Community Connection and Friends of the Library, is from 5:30 to 7 p.m. May 20 at the Solana Beach Library, 157 Stevens Ave.
Annual Strawberry Festival
The 14th annual Vista Strawberry Festival is from 6 a.m. to 8 p.m. May 25 in historic downtown. The day starts with a 5K run at 7:30 a.m. Highlights include a costume contest, a strawberry pie eating contest and a strawberry ice cream sundae eating contest along with live music and entertainment on several stages, a food court, a beer garden and a street fair filled with vendors of all types along with a carnival zone that opens before the event. Carnival hours are from 5 to 10 p.m. May 23, 2 to 11 p.m. May 24 and 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. May 25 at Vista Magnet Middle School, 151 Civic Center Drive. Little Miss Strawberry will be crowned at the event. Admission is free. Carnival tickets are $2-$45. There is free parking and shuttles every 15 minutes from Vista High School and the Vista Courthouse. Visit .
Cactus & Succulent Club holds spring festival
The Palomar Cactus & Succulent Club’s spring festival plant show and sale will be from 10:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. May 24 at Grace Presbyterian Church, 1450 E. Vista Way. The sale includes plants and pots. There will be workshops on succulent and cactus growing. Admission is free. Visit .
Paint & Pour event benefits seniors
The nonprofit Vista Silver Star Foundation hosts a Paint & Pour from 5 to 7 p.m. May 29 at Aegis Living at Shadowridge, 1440 S. Melrose Drive. Attendees can enjoy wine and hor d’oeuvres while creating a painting to take home. The event is led by a local artist. Tickets are $25; proceeds benefit the Vista Silver Star Foundation, which helps older adults in the community. RSVP by May 27 at .
Military, Fire and Law Appreciation Day at water park
A Memorial Day Military, Fire and Law Appreciation Day will be observed from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. May 26 at The Wave Waterpark, 101 Wave Drive. Admission is free for active or retired military and fire or law enforcement officers on Memorial Day as a thank you for their service. Valid active-duty or retired ID must be shown at the ticket booth to receive one free admission for each ID and up to six additional tickets may be purchased for $10 each with each valid ID. Dependent IDs are valid for discount admission only, not free admission offer. Visit .
AI in genealogy topic of talk
The Vista FamilySearch Center, 1310 Foothill Drive, will present a free class from 7 to 8:30 p.m. May 22 on “New Tools for Old Problems; Explore the possible uses of AI in Genealogy.” This will be a wide-ranging introduction and survey of what is becoming possible with family history research. Visit /view/vista-fhc/home.
Presentation on Safe Streets Program
A presentation on the Safe Streets Program is at 6:30 p.m. May 22 at the Vista Civic Center Community Room, 200 Civic Center Drive. Vista’s sheriff’s captain will give an overview of technologies such as crime cameras, license plate readers and gunshot detection systems.
Botanical garden runs summer camps
Alta Vista Botanical Gardens and Kids College will offer summer camps Mondays through Fridays in full-day or half-day sessions in June and July for kids entering first through fifth grades. Highlights include art, music, theater and yoga in the 14-acre outdoor gardens. Register at /online-registration.
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