May Family Fun...
Cinco de Mayo – The heart of this 17th annual celebration is the open-air Mercado staged in downtown Santa Barbara in De la Guerra Plaza on Saturday, May 3 from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. And its soul is the commemoration of the famous 1862 battle in Puebla, Mexico, against Napoleon’s invading armies, and the spirit of liberty and independence it represents. Two days of festivities reflect the rich culture of our Latino community with live entertainment, numerous food and merchandise booths as well as local business and nonprofit resources, a “Kid’s Corner” and a Latino art exhibit. Got questions? Call 680-2163 or check www.cincodemayosb.com
Elings Park Family Fun Night – It’s that spring weather time of the year and perfect for an evening of outdoor fun at Elings Park, 1298 Las Positas Road, beginning at 6:30 p.m. There’ll be a petting zoo, bounce house, climber, slide and basketball hoop from Luna’s jumps, Art from Scrap crafts, monster mask-making followed by an outdoor screening of Monsters Inc. Bring your own picnic dinner, or purchase BBQ hotdogs at the park. It’s $5 a person or $15 per car, and don’t forget to bring a blanket or lawn chairs for the movie. Need questions answered? Call 569-5611 or check www.elingspark.org
Children’s Festival – This year’s festival, on Saturday, May 17 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Alameda Park, is the Family Service Agency’s (FSA) 25th celebration of this free event that draws more than 3,000 children and families annually. Fun for kids of all ages includes pony rides, face painting, bounce houses, kid’s crafts, kid-friendly food, games, a Cox Communication giveaway of free reusable, eco-friendly bags filled with goodies like coloring books and crayons, the annual Disney raffle of a trip to Disneyland, and much more. All proceeds benefit FSA’s programs for at-risk children and their families. For more information call 965-1001 or check out www.fsacares.org
Israel Independence Day - With the theme “Today and Tomorrow,” and also known as Yom Ha’ atzmaut in Hebrew, this free event on Sunday, May 4 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Congregation B’nai B’rith, 1000 San Antonio Creek Road, celebrates 60 years of independence and the commemoration of the founding of the state of Israel in 1948. There’ll be live entertainment, in English and Hebrew, authentic kosher food, Israeli dances and dance instruction, kid’s activities, special exhibitions and guest speakers. For more information call 964-7869 or check www.sbjf.org
Children’s Miracle Network Telethon – This live broadcast from  Cottage Hospital’s Burtness Auditorium airing on KEYT Channel 3 beginning Saturday, May 31 at 8 p.m. through Sunday, June 1 at 4 p.m. is just one of more than 170 hospitals affiliated with this annual Children’s Miracle Network televised fundraiser. Along with comedian Carol Burnett, who is serving as this year’s honorary chair, physicians, families, businesses, local celebrities, volunteers, hospital staff and of course children join KEYT in this fundraising effort in appealing to viewers to call in their pledges. All proceeds remain in Santa Barbara and benefit children hospitalized at Cottage Hospital. For more information call 879- 8980.
StoryFaire - This second annual event on Sunday, May 18 from 2 to 5 p.m. at All Saints By the Sea Episcopal Church, 83  Eucalyptus Lane, brings together well-known children‘s authors, illustrators and families to explore, experience and foster the enjoyment of children’s literature. There’ll be lots of storytelling, kids activities, crafts and complimentary refreshments. Admission is free. Questions? Call 687-4530 or check www.storytellercenter.org
BABY! International Film Festival - This inaugural event locally on Friday, May 23 through Saturday, May 24 at the Marjorie Luke Theatre, 721 E. Cota St. brings together into one exceptional resource  venue a broad spectrum of films, leading experts and panel-participants to deepen and expand our knowledge of and trust in pregnancy, birth and parenting – from bonding and breastfeeding to parental choices and caregivers. Along with special appearances by actor Noah Wyle (TV’s ER) and wife Tracy and their child, Owen, highlights of the festival include film screenings from 4 – 9:30 p.m. on May 23, beginning with “What Babies Want” – narrated by Noah Wyle – and continuous screenings on May 24 beginning at 10 a.m. through 9 p.m., including films in Spanish or with Spanish subtitles. For ticket information and schedule of screenings and events call 688-9877, 800-893-5070 or visit www.babyff.com |
