A small parade during 2015 Fiestas Patrias (September 16 is Mexico’s Independence Day) in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park.
Here are some photos of Fiestas Patrias in Old Town San Diego State Historic Park. Mexico began their war for independence from Spain on September 16, 1810, and the occasion was celebrated today with music, food, games, an equestrian demonstration and traditional Mexican dance. I caught a bit of it!
San Diego’s fascinating history includes a Mexican period, which followed the early years of settlement and rule by Spain. Mexico and San Diego share a common border and a great deal of history. A blending of culture and friendly people adds to the richness of our city.
Fiestas Patrias in Old Town San Diego included many cool events flavored with Mexican culture and history.Young musicians from Chula Vista High School Mariachi band smile for the camera!Many event participants carried photos and images of important Mexicans in history. This gentleman holds a tribute to activist Cesar Chavez.Tables contained interesting info and exhibits. This one featured sketches from the Battle of San Pasqual and some cattle brands from historic Mission San Diego de Alcalá.Here are many colorful, often spicy ingredients used in Mexican cuisine. Yum!A super nice lady demonstrates grinding corn with a stone metate, a common practice long ago.Someone paints during the lively festival. Historic Old Town is a picturesque place that inspires artists, at any time!The award-winning Chula Vista High School Mariachi performers warm up before going on stage.Everyone is ready for some traditional Mexican music!These student musicians were incredibly talented. Voices and instruments conveyed stirring emotion. They all received big applause!Beautifully costumed riders of the female equestrian group Escaramuza Las Golondrinas warm up behind Seeley Stable Museum in Old Town San Diego.One rider prepares her horse for a sidesaddle riding demonstration in the afternoon.This rider was nice enough to smile! It’s a perfect, sunny day for a fiesta!A smiling California State Park employee throws a rope over a tree branch, getting ready to hang a piñata. She’s got an awesome job!Fiestas Patrias in Old Town celebrates a rich Mexican heritage and the unique, diverse history of San Diego.
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Masts of a few visiting tall ships during 2015 Festival of Sail, at the Maritime Museum of San Diego.
The 2015 Festival of Sail is underway! The cool event runs through Labor Day and takes place on the Embarcadero at the Maritime Museum of San Diego. This morning I got some photos!
The popular festival, which is held every year in late summer, features a large gathering of beautiful tall ships. A few belong to the museum; others are visiting San Diego for this very special occasion.
Last year I wrote several detailed blogs and covered many of the tall ships which I saw again today. So this year I figured I’d just mosey from ship to ship, taking random photos, not worrying too much about jotting down gobs of information. Here’s the result…
The brig Pilgrim, approximate replica of the historic ship Richard Henry Dana sailed in, is visiting San Diego again for the annual tall ship festival.Visitors enjoy touring the deck of the Pilgrim on Sunday morning. It’s another sunny summer day on blue San Diego Bay!Ship’s navigation light and galley. Signs on the Pilgrim describe life on the sea a couple centuries ago, when Two Years Before the Mast was written by Dana.Kayaks on the smooth water cruise past a collection of very cool tall ships.Plaque on tall ship American Pride indicates that down below is the Captain’s Quarters.Close look at wooden steering wheel of the American Pride.Volunteer crew members of American Pride assembled on deck as their fine ship visits San Diego.Lion’s head decorates spar projecting from hull of topsail schooner Amazing Grace.A visitor at 2015 Festival of Sail in San Diego looks down into the cabin of Amazing Grace.A second floating dock and even more cool tall ships can be seen beyond Amazing Grace.Curious eyes peer below deck of the Bill of Rights, perhaps wondering what it would be like to live in very close quarters while at sea.Bill of Rights tall ship crew members were dressed in seafaring garb. This pirate had a collection of pistols and a small cannon on display.Star motif on a block used by a single rope in some complicated rigging. Masts of another nearby tall ship rise in the background.To step off the Bill of Rights one must walk the plank!Stern of Bill of Rights seen from rear deck of the brigantine Irving Johnson.Photo of ship’s cabin containing shelves of books, a globe and navigational charts.Friendly crew member on the Exy Johnson was playing familiar seagoing tunes on a concertina.It appears this ladder has seen a great deal of usage and weather.Festival of Sail visitors check out many cool sights! I see someone climbing one of the Irving Johnson’s shrouds!Watch out! This wild-eyed pirate has two wicked swords! Run for it!Looking at more ships docked behind the Maritime Museum’s historic Steam Ferry Berkeley. I see masts of the San Salvador, Californian and America.American flag in deep blue sky curls in the pleasant sea breeze.I saw various folks in period costumes. This lady had a nice smile!Another photo of the ships behind the Berkeley. The red star is on the museum’s B-39 Soviet diesel submarine which operated during the Cold War.A land battery took part during the festival’s cannon battles. A beautiful tall ship heads across the bay.View of historic bark Star of India from deck of HMS Surprise.Someone checks out the high masts of HMS Surprise, the ship used in the filming of Master and Commander starring Russell Crowe.Written on the ship’s bell is HMS Rose, the original name of the Surprise.Two members of the Royal Guard enjoy a drink and snack on San Diego’s Embarcadero during the Festival of Sail. They must be on shore leave.White sails, wooden ships, blue sky and living visions of a rich maritime history.Kids on deck of Star of India watch a cannon battle on San Diego Bay.
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Sailboat in a puddle of light behind the tall ship Pilgrim. Friday draws to an end at the Festival of Sail, on San Diego’s Embarcadero.
After work, I got off the trolley at Little Italy and walked down to the Embarcadero. I hoped to see a little of the Festival of Sail. Today was the first day of the big annual event!
Even though I missed the Parade of Sail across San Diego Bay, which took place in the afternoon, I managed to get a bit lucky! The day’s activities were over, the crowds had dissipated, and I didn’t need a ticket to enjoy a leisurely stroll alongside the many beautiful tall ships! Later this weekend I’ll buy a ticket during event hours and board the ships. Stay tuned!
Until then, here are some photos of what I saw…
The Port of San Diego and the Maritime Museum are presenting the 2015 Festival of Sail, with lots of cool visiting tall ships, cannon battles, and other nautical stuff.Photographer near the HMS Surprise takes a photo of masts along the waterfront. Many tall ships are docked just beyond the museum’s Steam Ferry Berkeley.I saw a number of people wearing old-fashioned costumes, including these folks riding a bike and a big-wheeled penny-farthing along the water!Members of the United States Navy came jogging down the Embarcadero as the day came to an end in San Diego!The sun descends behind clouds. Many high masts, yards, ropes and fluttering banners add character to beautiful San Diego Bay at the Festival of Sail.Two crew members work high in the rigging of the Amazing Grace tall ship.The 2015 Festival Sail runs through Labor Day weekend. You’ll find it downtown at the awesome Maritime Museum of San Diego!
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Kid enters an inflatable floating cylinder walk-inside thingy on a narrow beach on San Diego Bay.
Shame on me. After all these years, I’d never once visited Chula Vista’s Bayside Park, down in San Diego’s South Bay. When I saw that HarborFest would be held there today, I instantly decided to go. I’m glad that I did!
I’ll let the captions of these photographs tell the story of what I saw…
So much was going on at 2015 HarborFest at Chula Vista’s Bayside Park, a really big sign was required!Thousands turned out to just chill, enjoy the sunshine, devour food, listen to live music and have fun at HarborFest.The big annual South Bay event had lots of fun activities on the water, including paddleboarding, kayaking and Seal and Swift Boat tours of the bay.These gents in festive old-fashioned costumes were providing music in one corner of the park by the water.Colorful canopies with vendors, community organizations and businesses attracted attention up and down the Chula Vista public park’s walkways.The Birch Aquarium, of Scripps Institution of Oceanography up in La Jolla, had lots of marine exhibits for folks to explore.This tiny but proud Burrowing Owl was greeting humans over at the Living Coast Discovery Center tent. I’ve yet to go to the nature refuge, which is nearby. One day soon…A boy helps slice lemons at one food vendor’s tent.And this kid is flying high courtesy of some bungee cords!I walked to the extreme north end of Bayside Park, where nobody else was. I took this photo of a massive travelift which hoists ships out of the water at Marine Group Boat Works.I could glimpse the masts of the San Salvador and HMS Surprise, two ships of the Maritime Museum of San Diego, which are being worked on at this Chula Vista shipyard.Adults were sampling tacos and spirits in one area of the festival.I didn’t know Rockin’ Baja had a mascot!Live music could be heard from several stages scattered along the length of HarborFest.A BMX stunt bike guy with Wheels in Motion went upside down to the delight of many onlookers!A cool car show had a bunch of hot rods and vintage automobiles out on display.Walking happily along, checking out some awesome cars.Kids could practice casting a fishing rod from the pier at the south end of Bayside Park.A little guy lets the line fly!These young fishermen are enjoying the water and a view of the Chula Vista Marina.This great egret sculpture at Bayside Park is titled The Fisherman, by Stephen Fairfield. It was originally part of the Embarcadero’s third Urban Trees art exhibition.Youth, grown-ups, or anybody at all was invited to paint on this canvas!On the Community Stage, a bunch of kids competed in a cooking contest hosted by SeaWorld’s Executive Chef Axel Dirolf.The most fun, in my opinion, was to be had by the water. It’s HarborFest, after all!I really am glad I went down to Chula Vista’s HarborFest and finally explored the very cool Bayside Park.
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Artist creates live street art during 2015 CityFest in Hillcrest.
This afternoon I walked with my camera through CityFest. The annual street festival attracts an enthusiastic crowd of about 150,000 people to Hillcrest, a community directly north of downtown San Diego. Hillcrest might be considered one of San Diego’s bohemian neighborhoods, where free-spirited artists mingle with happy-go-lucky youth and a sizable LGBT population. Everybody I saw was just out enjoying a good time.
CityFest is a very popular summer festival held in Hillcrest along Fifth Avenue, south of University.Main stage at CityFest features live music from noon until almost midnight.Lots of artwork was being created while the public watched.Another big canvas brought to life by urban artists.Cans of paint in many colors.Funky art could be spotted all around CityFest, as well as the usual street festival stuff, including lots of food.I don’t know the name of this tall guy with the rainbow wings and multiple carnival mask faces. Lots of people were posing for photographs.The most crowded tent seemed to belong to the Rad Hatter, where young and old could craft unique paper hats for free.Many local artists had their work on display and for sale at CityFest in Hillcrest.Colorful pop art seems to be a favorite at this annual street festival.I see Batman and Marilyn Monroe, among other boldly painted faces.
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Five church bells hang in the distinctive facade of the historic Mission San Diego de Alcalá, founded by Junipero Serra.
Sometimes it’s easy to forget that our lives will soon become history. And that the lives of people, no matter how imperfect, create a rich, varied tapestry that reaches centuries back in time, and forward into the future.
Young and old–representatives from several generations–came together this weekend in San Diego to again celebrate the Festival of the Bells. The annual event is held at Mission San Diego de Alcalá, the first Spanish mission to be built in California. Food, song and dancing accompanied colorful religious rituals such as the Blessing of the Bells and the Blessing of the Animals. Everyone was welcome to enjoy the free festival.
The original San Diego del Alcala was founded in 1769–almost 250 years ago–at the site of the old Spanish presidio, near the edge of San Diego Bay. The current mission building was erected by Father Serra in 1774, a few miles up the San Diego River where the land was more fertile.
The distinctive facade and bells of this historical landmark are often used as a symbol for our city, and the ringing of the bells are like echoes from a complex, often strife-filled, but fascinating past. The youngest generation, seeing this old world with fresh, optimistic eyes, jumping free and loving life in the festival’s bounce house, will remember today decades in the future as just another small moment in the journey of history. Hopefully that memory is good.
The Festival of the Bells is an annual celebration which memorializes the establishment and long history of California’s first Spanish mission.Young people provide family entertainment free to the public at the 2015 Festival of the Bells.A large audience had gathered in the mission’s spacious courtyard-like quadrangle, even as rain threatened on Sunday afternoon.Folks hang out around the central fountain, eating food and taking in sights, smells and sounds during a lively San Diego tradition.Proceeds from sales of food, crafts and gifts benefited Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala, which is an active Catholic church.Who can resist root beer floats?Put a friend in the jailhouse to raise some money!San Diego de Alcalá was the first of 21 Spanish missions in California, established by Father Junipero Serra in 1769.Small statues along walkway at front of San Diego de Alcala depict Saints who inspired California mission names. This is for Mission Santa Clara de Asis, founded 1777.Sign in the mission’s garden explains The Campanario. (Click to enlarge.)
The campanario is 46 feet high and holds the Mission bells. The crown-topped bell on the lower right is named Ave Maria Purisima–Immaculate Mary. It weights 805 pounds and was cast in 1802 . . . The bells played an important role in the everyday life of the Mission . . . They were used to announce times for Mass, work, meals and siestas. The bells signaled danger, rang solemnly to honor the dead, and pealed joyously to celebrate feast days, weddings and fiestas.
Of the five church bells, one original bell dates back to 1802.
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A long time ago at a beach very very close…it is a period of sand wars… Star Wars sand sculpture at the Imperial Beach Sun and Sea Festival!
The 2015 Sun and Sea Festival at Imperial Beach today had almost everything. Lots of good food, live music, happy people, the beautiful ocean, and, of course, a whole bunch of awesome sand sculptures. What it didn’t have was sun. Monsoon conditions in San Diego have produced dark skies, frequent showers, even thunder and lightning this weekend.
But nothing could stop the crowds from enjoying this great annual tradition.
Ready to see the cool photos? Here they are…
The annual Sun and Sea Festival in IB features food, music, fun, people-watching and sand castles galore! This banner is hung on the pier above the beach.The Port of San Diego is a sponsor of the yearly festival, home of the famous Imperial Beach Sandcastle Competition. This sculpture was created by sand master Kirk Rademaker.A second photo of Kirk Rademaker’s sculpture. Tiny sand people stand out on a sand IB pier over the sandy Pacific Ocean!Sandstorm Fabrication team seems to be creating a large Viking head sand sculpture.Cool frog-like creature coming to life on the beach conveys a Help Conserve Water message.The Sandcastle Man team is building an elaborate sandcastle! Of course!The I.B. Posse team is crafting a complex, exotic scene of Myths and Legends out of sand near the Imperial Beach pier.Looks like the fallen head of a classic statue from a time long ago.Sand sculptor is closely watched by the unblinking eyes of his inanimate subject.This team wearing tie-dye was creating a hip sand scene with a fun, fanciful 60s flavor.Is that a mud-covered hippopotamus rising from a river? No. Just some imaginative Southern California artwork.Peace and Love. Hippie Hippos are cool, groovy and happening!These are my favorite sand sculptures. Star Wars icons Chewbacca, R2-D2, stormtroopers, the Millennium Falcon and an X-Wing starfighter!Fierce looking stormtroopers seem to be hanging out on sandy Tatooine. Where it happens to be raining today.Han Solo is probably hoping this gifted sand artist can get the Millennium Falcon to jump to light speed.Okay. You have to admit this is a lot of fun.San Diego Sand Castles was skillfully carving toothy land sharks.Hope it doesn’t bite.Over here we have a large mechanical shark, driven by a small fish! The “real” shark must be terrified.This team seemed to be digging out a whale. It’s huge!Of course, there were Minions. Lots of Minions. Oodles of ’em. They were popping out of the sand everywhere you turned.Five silly Minions seem to be having a party in a sand pit.Another team had some Minions, too. This guy is riding a sand wave while sitting on a surfboard. Too bad the sun isn’t out.Lastly, I spotted Baymax of Big Hero 6 being created out of sand. Lots of sculptures at the family friendly festival appealed to kids.A cloudy, showery day with lightning, thunder, and crowds on the beach enjoying an awesome Imperial Beach tradition.
Cool skateboard bench by the 36th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off Festival on Newport Avenue.
Late this morning I spent a little time at one of the coolest summer events in Southern California!
The 36th Annual Ocean Beach Street Fair & Chili Cook-Off Festival was being held along Newport Avenue, drawing a huge crowd from all around San Diego. Many consider OB their favorite beach community. Once you see these photos, you might understand why!
A masked street performer shakes hands with a kid on a scooter. The Ocean Beach Municipal Pier stretches in the background.San Diegans and Obetians check out a street vendor selling colorful t-shirts.Fun, unusual art all over the place. Lots to see at this legendary summer street festival in a laid-back, funky Southern California beach community.Creative people had cool stuff on display and for sale in the Artists’ Alley.Kids were invited to express themselves with pottery, painting and chalk art.Young artists use their imaginations as they work behind a utility box decorated with parrots in Ocean Beach.Public art mural on one wall depicts the annual Ocean Beach Street Fair and Chili Cook-Off.Just a typical scene from this awesome street festival.Someone checks out large works of colorful art in OB.One booth had all sorts of awesome, unique decorative surfboards!And, of course, food was everywhere!Ocean Beach is the scene of many different happy lifestyles and diverse, life-affirming interests.It wasn’t even lunchtime and some folks were ready to chow down.If these cookies don’t make you drool, nothing will!All sorts of cool surf shops line Newport Avenue, where the festival was held.Rock and Roll San Diego was teaching kids how to play drums, electric guitar and more!A young man is training to be a rock superstar!Street musicians in OB next to a storefront on a summer day.Young and old were practicing maintaining balance on a board that simulates surfing.Yeah, another photo of food getting ready…Ocean Beach is jam-packed with amazing urban art, almost anywhere you walk!People were just getting started with the community mural project!Anyone could participate in painting a small square in this large mural!Another street mural on a wall above a station where people could park their bikes.Surfboards on top, cool decals plastered around. Let’s walk past the Hodadmobile and check out something amazing…Burgers are famous at Hodad’s, and so is the skateboarding demonstration beside their restaurant.Skater catches huge air as he performs trick from a ramp, wowing everybody watching!Lots of skilled skateboarders were taking turns on this small half-pipe.Oh, man–lots of very cool action!Legendary Hodad’s had a burger-eating competition!Some guys walking along near porta-potties by the beer garden.Guy chills with a Starbucks by funky sculptures on Newport Avenue near the beach. He’s listening to a really great concert.The local band Markland performs on the Main Stage at the 2015 Ocean Beach Street Fair.Justin Markland peers at me over drums while Randy Jones entertains the Ocean Beach crowd with irrepressible vocal and physical energy.Just a pic to provide some flavor of what I saw this morning.Surfers come up across the beach while a guy relaxes on the sea wall.People walk behind the Main Stage along the beach, toward the Ocean Beach lifeguard station. An overcast day with a few sprinkles, but it didn’t matter!People buy tickets to sample special concoctions at the famous chili contest!This tent featured one of the chili cook-off contestant teams.Stirring and scooping from one big pot of hot chili!Unfortunately, this poor dog can’t participate without a ticket. And it seems like he knows it.Perhaps this chili was the winner. Looks tasty, if you don’t mind that it’s served from a toilet!
Young kids learn how to become cool DJs at Make Music Day San Diego.
One more blog post this weekend about Balboa Park! Today was Make Music Day San Diego, which was held throughout our huge urban park! Music filled the air everywhere I walked!
2015 is the first year San Diego has taken part in this unique worldwide event. Countless people in more than 700 cities participated! The public was encouraged to bring instruments to Balboa Park and make music, and many instruments were given away, including 100 harmonicas. A big parade of harmonica players was one part of the event I unfortunately missed, as well as a Mass Appeal guitar jam. There was just not enough time, and too much to see in Balboa Park–and to hear!
Anyway, here are some fun pics that provide a bit of the atmosphere. This blog, alas, doesn’t feature sound.
San Diego’s first ever Make Music Day was held in Balboa Park this Sunday.Friends of Balboa Park helped to organize the musical event, which encourages public participation.Some lucky person won this guitar!The public, street musicians and special Make Music Day event performers all contributed to a giant concert throughout Balboa Park.Numerous musicians were up and down El Prado, playing their hearts out.This gent was playing a cool sax in the shade.Live Music Today included Flamenco in Spanish Village, which I already blogged about!The avant-garde band Swarmius was setting up in the Zoro Garden among butterflies. Their half electronic, half instrumental music borrows from every conceivable musical style.Radio Pulso del Barrio, an internet station out of Barrio Logan, was teaching one and all how to be a DJ for the day!Music was heard no matter where you walked!Poster by Spreckels Organ Pavilion lists summer musical performances for Twilight in the Park, Centennial Celebration 1915-2015. (Click to enlarge.)By the way, Sweden had their lawn program at the International Cottages today.I missed the festive maypole dance, but got a photo of the flower-bedecked pole!Beautiful singing was heard from the stage at the International Cottages, as the House of Sweden also provided musical entertainment during Make Music Day!
Mural being painted for the Balboa Park Centennial 2015 Philippine American Celebration.
I saw a variety of cool sights during my morning walk today. While soaking up some San Diego sunshine, I checked out this weekend’s Balboa Park Centennial 2015 Philippine American Celebration. The annual Filipino cultural event is bigger and better than ever!
The Spreckels Organ Pavilion is the setting for many top notch performances, including a concert tonight by American Idol runner-up Jessica Sanchez! The festival also enlivens the House of Pacific Relations International Cottages, with lots of art, history, food and fun.
I learned that the House of the Philippines has received the green light to build their own cottage in Balboa Park. I’ll be sure to follow that project’s progress on my blog!
House of the Philippines participated in the event. They will soon have a home among the nearby House of Pacific Relations International Cottages.A crowd is gathering on Saturday morning to watch Filipino entertainment at the Spreckels Organ Pavilion.Tents around the perimeter of the pavilion contained interesting cultural information.Poster shows many important Filipinos throughout San Diego’s rich, diverse history.Marie Zhivago wrote a cool children’s book titled The Sakura. I learned sakura in Japanese means cherry blossom.
Marie Zhivago is a super nice person who is also an author and cartoonist. I enjoyed talking with her and learning new stuff! Please check out her website!
Numerous interesting displays were on the lawn in the International Cottages area.This poster documents Heroes and Presidents of the Philippines.Another poster shows how hip hop culture has been influenced by Filipino artists.Beautiful costumes and dresses were being worn by many at the festival.Kids check out fun exhibits at the Balboa Park Centennial 2015 Philippine American Celebration.Philippine American organizations contributed to Balboa Park’s historic centennial with this great event.
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