The Queen Mary Turns 80! Come Join the Festivities | @TheQueenMary #LongBeach

CELEBRATE THE QUEEN MARY'S 80TH ANNIVERSARY

Everyone is Invited to Join the Sept. 26 Celebration

The world's most beloved ocean liner turns 80 on September 26 and the public is invited to join a ship-wide celebration. The Queen Mary will open her gangways and ballrooms, decks and salons, attractions and eateries to a daylong celebration highlighted by a very special event. 

• There will be no charge for admission to the ship (10:00 AM - 7:00 PM)
• Discounted parking 
• Discounted ship tours and attractions. 

The general public — especially Long Beach residents and families — are encouraged to join the festivities.

Commemorations will include the reading of letters by King George V at the ship's launch on Sept. 26, 1934, and a recent congratulatory message from Queen Elizabeth II on the ship's 80th anniversary. The Queen Mary will use the anniversary event to announce a groundbreaking initiative, a forward-looking plan inspired by the ship's eight-decades of public life and overall influence on maritime commerce.

"Celebrating 80 years of global prominence is reason enough to invite the community to share in this special moment, but there is more news,” said Queen Mary General Manager, John Jenkins. “I will make an important announcement during the ceremony; an announcement that goes to the very heart of why this great ship continues to attract so much attention all across the globe. In the meantime, we invite every Queen Mary visitor past, present and those yet to voyage with us - to come to Long Beach, Friday - September 26 to salute the ocean liner that set new maritime standards and won hearts when launched, and does so still.”

A BIRTHDAY CAKE LIKE NO OTHER: 

To celebrate the ship's 80th 'birthday', the Queen Mary has commissioned TV celebrity baker, Jose Barajas to create a grand cake that's worthy of a grand ship. Weighing almost a quarter ton and measuring over 15 feet long the anniversary cake will be as exact a replica of the Queen Mary as flour and frosting allows.

Following remarks by attending dignitaries, Commodore Everette Hoard will read the Royal Letters. He then will then officiate the ceremonial cutting of the Queen Mary's 80th Anniversary Cake.

EVENT SCHEDULE:
• 4:00 PM - Grand Ballroom Opens to Public
• 4:15 PM - Welcome Remarks by Commodore Everette Hoard
• Remarks by Mayor of Long Beach, Robert Garcia
• Presentation of Queen Mary Video by Chris Wilmoth, Director of Marketing
• Remarks by John Jenkins, Queen Mary General Manager
• Commemoration of 80th Anniversary / Announcement of Queen Mary Initiative
• Presentation of Queen Mary Cake by Baker, Jose Barajas
• Cutting of First Slice by Mayor Garcia, Jenkins and Hoard
• Concluding Remarks by John Jenkins
• Invitation to attending public to share a slice of history.

2014 Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo: Motorcross, OHV, R/C and More! | @OffRoadExpo #GIVEAWAY

2014 LUCAS OIL OFF-­‐ROAD EXPO INVADES SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA 

Do you love the off-roading scene?  Dirt-bikes, Off-highway Vehicles(OHV), ATV's and more?  I have made our love of off-roading and desert camping a passion on the blog.  It is a tradition that we began years be

fore we had our children.  Now our children know and love off-roading as much as we do!

Coming up October 4th and 5th, you can have the opportunity to get up-close and personal to all your off-roading needs and wants with the 2014 Lucas Oil Off-Road Expo.  You can even try out some of the vehicles on their tracks!

The 2014 Lucas Oil Off-­‐Road Expo powered by General Tire brings all-­‐things off-­‐road to Fairplex, in Pomona Saturday, October 4 through Sunday, October 5. This year’s expo will feature the hottest off-­‐road vehicles, products and accessories, as well as action-­‐packed Red Bull Motocross trials demonstrations, off-­‐road racing demos, Rubicon Trail off-­‐road ride alongs, ATV and UTV test drives, an RC demo track, autograph signings, bikini contests and more! With more than 300 aftermarket performance vendors and more than 60,000 enthusiasts, Fairplex will burst with a 10-­‐acre off-­‐road party October 4 through October 5.

In addition to the line-­‐up of customized trucks, Jeeps, UTVs, ATVs, side-­‐by-­‐sides, dirt bikes, sand rails and rock crawlers, the expo will come to life with exciting features and entertainment including:

• Rubicon Trail – Off-­‐Road Vehicle Ride Alongs – Expo attendees will get a taste of the infamous Rubicon Trail, as Jeeps are pushed to the limit on a thrilling off-­‐road course. Professional drivers will take interested off-­‐road fans on ride alongs in Jeeps equipped with all the latest performance accessories from Pro Comp, Rubicon Express, G2 Axle & Gear and Smittybilt. The course will feature a 40-­‐ft long rock barrier, steep incline/decline, high leaning curve and articulation moguls! Additionally, Pro Off-­‐Road racer Jason Scherer will make a special appearance and take his new Ultra 4 buggy, dubbed “The Gavel” for a few hot laps on the Rubicon Trail! 
• Red Bull Motocross Riding Trials – Don’t miss thrilling motocross trials demonstrations throughout the weekend with 10-­‐time AMA National Trials Champion Geoff Aaron, as well as the chance to meet several Red Bull athletes on Saturday, October 4. 
• RC Demo Track – Attendees of all ages are invited to get their hands on the controls and test out the latest RC cars and trucks on the Horizon Hobby “Try Me Track.” 
• SHOW-­‐N-­‐SHINE – Hot 4x4s on display from Off Road Expo fans! Is your daily driver truck, jeep or SUV worthy of being on display all weekend in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Show-­‐N-­‐Shine Corral? Get more info on how to win the opportunity at www.facebook.com/OffRoadExpo. 

• KYMCO ATV & UTV Ride and Drives – Hop on the newest KYMCO ATV’s and UTV’s at this special demo track equipped with dirt, obstacles and action-­‐packed excitement under real off-­‐road conditions! 
• DragonFire Racing Ride Alongs – Take a spin in the latest ATV products from DragonFire Racing with a professional driver. 
• SCORE International Experience & Dirt Live Theater – This tribute to the SCORE Baja Legends will include displays of vintage and current desert racing vehicles, as well as a plethora of autograph sessions with past and present racing legends on Saturday, October 4 and Sunday, October 5, from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. SCORE will also host the live draw and unveiling of the official course map for the 47th Annual Tecate SCORE Baja 1000, on Saturday, October 4, at 3 p.m. 
• Lucas Oil Off-­‐Road Racing at the MAV TV Proving Grounds – Title sponsor Lucas Oil returns with the high-­powered, high-­‐jumping race trucks from the Pro 4 Unlimited and Pro 2 Unlimited classes racing at the MAV TV Proving Grounds. Professional drivers will demonstrate the capabilities of these amazing 800-­‐plus horsepower V8-­‐powered machines, on a closed circuit course. 
• Professional Off-­‐Roader Racers and Celebrities – Racing legends will sign autographs and greet fans throughout the weekend including Brian Deegan, Casey Currie, Carl Renezedder, Rodrigo Ampudia and Austin Kimbrell. Visit www.OffRoadExpo.com for a full schedule of celebrity appearances. 
• Off-­‐Road Performance Marketplace – More than 300 off-­‐road vendors will fill the expo with 10-­‐acres of the latest in 4x4 aftermarket parts, accessories, services and the latest industry innovations. 
• Miss Lucas Oil Off-­‐Road Expo Bikini Contest – On Sunday, October 5, the Bud Light Stage will host beautiful bikini-­‐clad women competing for a cash prize, tiara and “Miss Lucas Oil Off-­‐Road Expo” title. 
• Live Music on the Bud Light Stage – From rock to reggae, stop by the stage and rock out with live music all weekend long. 

The 2014 Lucas Oil Off-­‐Road Expo powered by General Tire will take place Saturday, October 4, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday, October 5, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., at Fairplex, located at 1101 W. McKinley Avenue in Pomona, Calif. Advance discount tickets are available now at O'Reilly Auto Parts and www.OffRoadExpo.com for $12 adults and $5 children (ages 6-­‐12). Kids 5 and under are free. Tickets may also be purchased on-­‐site for $14 adults, $5 children. A Family Four Pack is available for $24 and includes admission for two adults, and two children (available online only through Friday, October 3). For more information, visit www.OffRoadExpo.com. 

Follow the  Lucas Oil Off-­‐Road Expo at Facebook, Twitter and Instagram  

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DISCLAIMER:  I received tickets to share my experiences.  All thoughts and ideas are my own.  All photos are used with permission.

APPLE PICKING: Los Angeles and Orange Counties

Lately, I have seen so many delicious fall apple recipes on Pinterest that I have been dying to try some out.  That got me thinking.  Why not make a day of it and pick our own apples and make the desserts even more special?  

I have compiled a list of local apple orchards that encourage visitors to come experience apple picking for themselves.

Apple Starr Orchard1287 Julian Orchards Drive
Julian, CA 92036
(760) 765-2431
www.apple-starr.com

You can pick a peck of pickled peppers, but did you know you can pick a peck of apples too? According to Apple Starr Orchard, a peck is 12 pounds and you can fill your bag with u-pick apples or pears. Apple Starr even has wagons to help you with your load. Some of the apples here have fancy names like Arkansas Black and Wealthy, and there are five varieties of pears to choose from as well, including both red and green Bartlett pears. A “newer” farm established in 1982, Apple Starr is 100 percent organic and a little-known secret as the location is at the very end of Julian Orchards Drive.

Los Rios Rancho39611 Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, CA 92399
(909) 797-1005
www.losriosranch.com

This farm’s motto is “where history is made every day,” and although what that history is depends on who is making it and how, visitors will at least have the chance to conjure up more than a few memories while picking apples from this active outpost that also offers activities for the entire family. Along with choosing from amongst a variety of about two dozen kinds of apples, guests will also have access to hay rides and the chance to learn some of the crafts that were part of life in the Old West, like tin smithing, candle making and leather crafting. As for your apple-oriented foray, there’s a tour that includes taking in the farm’s 1906 barn where you’ll pack apples on the line as you work alongside Johnny Appleseed and then walk with this iconic characters through the lovely orchards of Los Rios Rancho.

Parrish Pioneer Ranch38561 Oak Glen Road
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 797-1753
www.parrishranch.com

A clear choice for apple picking not far from Los Angeles is Parrish Pioneer Ranch, offering these fruity delights since 1867. By way of background, it took four mules and a wooden wagon for Enoch Kidder Parrish to buy these fine acres, 160 in all. By working the earth, he came up with what is now the premier spot to pick from Rome Beauty Trees that take over the sprawling premises. Also on offer at the farm store is apple butter, syrups and, of course, cider. While there, be sure to book a table at the Apple Dumplin restaurant on the site for some hearty farm fare unrivaled in the City of Angels.

Riley’s Farm Fort Crossing
12261 S. Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, CA 92399
(909) 790-TIME (8463)
www.rileysfarm.com

Some 100 varieties from trees that have aged up to 100 years are waiting at Riley’s Farm. However, the specialization here is reserved for this grower’s heirloom apples. The 2013 crop on offer features the best in Royal Galas and Gravensteins, all ready to be plucked from the trees after checking in at the Barn General Store on the premises to get instructions on how to do so. After your outing, be sure to head over to the on-farm bakery for a fresh, double-crust apple pie or a crumb-crust apple pie to go with your apple bounty. Not looking for something sweet? Try the out-of-this-world chicken pot pie, ready and waiting after placing your order the day before you head out for your outing at Riley’s.

Snow-Line Orchard
39400 Oak Glen Road
Yucaipa, CA 92399
(909) 797-3415
www.snow-line.com

Apples galore are available at this expansive Yucaipa outpost, but you may have to leave the actual picking to the management. Still, there are plenty of varieties from which to choose, from MacIntosh, Mutsu and Red Delicious to Northern Spy, Winter Banana and Pippin. Indeed, this is only a small selection of the crispy fruit on hand and ready to grab at Snow-Line. Imbibe along with an array of apple cider, a traditional fall drink that has been reinvented by being mixed with raspberries and cherries also grown on the premises. Not interested? Regular apple cider is on offer too, as are mini-donuts that some say are to die for.

Stetson Creek RanchP.O. Box 192
Angelus Oaks, CA 92304
(909) 389-9410
www.stetsoncreekranch.com

A remote ranch located past Angelus Oaks in the beautiful San Bernadino mountains, Stetson Creek Ranch is a 100-year-old farm that is 100 percent organic. If you enjoy baking or cooking with fresh apples, Stetson Creek Ranch has Rome apples, a popular American cooking apple because it keeps its shape. If munching on a fresh, tasty apple is what you’re after, Stetson also has delicious red McIntosh apples for you to enjoy – refreshingly sweet and crisp. Stop by on your way to Big Bear – but as this is a working farm, leave your dog at home.

Willowbrook Apple Farm 
12099 S. Oak Glen Road
Oak Glen, CA 92399
(909) 797-9484
www.willowbrookapple.com

This century-old apple orchard run by the Swanson family gives you the chance soak up the countryside in an ambiance that comes right out of “Little House on the Prairie” — babbling brook, barn and all. Once on the premises, you’ll get the opportunity to choose Stayman Winesap apples as well as make your own cider the old-fashioned way by using an antique press. You’ll also learn that it takes 20 pounds of apples to make a gallon of cider.

Haunted Hollywood Sports: Surviving the Zombie Apocalypse | @HauntedHSP #GIVEAWAY

We all need date  nights and coming up, is one of the ultimate date nights in my hubby's mind.  I like an adventure, why not Haunted Hollywood Sports in Bellflower?

Haunted Hollywood Sports, home of the first walk-through Zombie Killhouse, returns this October for 11 nights of interactive horror. Haunted Hollywood Sports has been called one of the most intense and unique haunted attractions in Southern California and, this season, we have turned the terror dial up to “11”. This ain't your parents' laser tag - our killhouses allows guests to use BB-shooting, airsoft and paintball replica firearms to dispatch hordes of the undead, so get your trigger finger warmed up!

Haunted Hollywood Sports is a terrifying Halloween event in Southern California based at Hollywood Sports Park, located in the city of Bellflower.

With kill houses and 21 shoot houses, immerse yourself into a zombie infested maze loaded with an Airsoft/Paintball gun! Defend yourself against the monsters roaming about. For an additional fee, you can actually shoot the attacking creatures.  Kill or be killed!  Are you up to the challenge?

Enter the shoot house – find out how you would really survive in a zombie apocalypse in your own home!  Will you survive?

Haunted Hollywood Sports also offers 4 creepy crawly mazes including:

• The Legends of Blackstar Canyon
• Fort Bedlam Zombie Research
• Venom
• Fog Hollow
• Along with 3 scare zones:
• Carnival of the Damned
• Undead
• Massacre

Haunted Hollywood Sports is every Friday and Saturday of October including Sunday October 26th and Saturday November 1st for Day of the Dead.

Dates and Hours of Operations are:October: 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25, [26], 31
November: 1st (Day of the Dead)

(Ticket Box opens 7:30pm. Gates open 8:00pm and close MIDNIGHT)

Tickets

Your General Admission to Haunted Hollywood Sports includes all 4 mazes, 3 scare zones and access to the Safe Zone Vendor Village. Value = $30.

All other attractions are available with an additional charge.

Due to the graphic nature of Haunted Hollywood Sports, I’d recommend 18 years and up.

For all of you adventurous types who love fun interactive mazes and adrenaline pumping kill houses, Haunted Hollywood Sports is getting ready to entertain you this Halloween.

Haunted Hollywood Sports(Hollywood Sports Park)

9030 Somerset Blvd

Bellflower, CA 90706

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DISCLAIMER:  I received tickets for my family to experience Haunted Hollywood Sports and share my experiences.  All thoughts and ideas are my own.  All photos are used with permission.

PUMPKIN PATCH: Irvine Park Railroad, Fall is Here! | @IrvineParkRR #Halloween

Irvine Park Railroad's 9th Annual Pumpkin Patch 2014

Looking for something fun to do with the family?  Take the whole family to Irvine Park Railroad's Annual Pumpkin Patch for a full day of Fall fun!

Nestled under the trees inside of Locomotive Loop are tons of family friendly activities, and thousands of plump pumpkins of every size, shape, and color to choose from.

  

   

Let your family explore all there is to do, such as: Panning for Gold, posing in Spooky Photo Boards, enjoy the falling leaves while riding the festively decorated Train, creep through the Haunted House, transform yourself with a talented Face Painting, meander through the Hay Maze, relax while touring the park on the Hay Ride, let your creative side shine while decorating your very own giant cookie, race your friends on the John Deere Tractor Racers, bounce your heart out in the Moon Bounce, play Ring-a-Pumpkin and the Carnival Games where everyone is a winner!

    

The not-so-haunted house gave the kids just the right hint of spookiness and were a big hit.

  

If you're anything like me, then you will absolutely love all of the photographic opportunities set up inside of the Patch. Everywhere you turn, you are presented with another beautiful Fall display perfect for capturing memories of your kids in their Halloween costumes.  

  

When you get hungry, look no further than the delicious Snack Shack. They have all the seasonal goodies you could want from buttered popcorn, caramel corn, jumbo soft pretzels, mouth watering pull apart breads, and made 'right before your eyes fresh' cotton candy.

    

My family loves coming to the Irvine Park Railroad for all of their seasonal festivities like the Christmas Tree Ranch and the Easter Eggstravaganza . My favorite has always been the Pumpkin Patch and it has become a treasured family tradition to ring in the start of Fall.

The Pumpkin Patch is open from 10:00 am - 5:00pm on weekdays and 10:00am - 6:00pm on weekends now through Halloween. Admission into the Pumpkin Patch is free. Parking is $3 on weekdays and $5 on weekends. Pumpkin Patch activities require tickets and can be purchased at the Patch. 

About the Author:  Hi, my name's Melody Russell and I'm a single mom to a wonderful 7 year old girl. It has always been just the two of us, so we do everything together. We are both very head strong, adventurous, and are up for anything fun. :-) We love baseball games, rock hunting, horseback riding, camping, and exploring. At home we have a menagerie of critters that always keep us laughing! I hope you enjoy our adventures!

DISCLAIMER:  The author received tickets to the park to share her experiences.  All thoughts and ideas are her own.  Do not use any photos without permission.

BOOK REVIEW: Adventures of Ai by Craig T. Bouchard | #GIVEAWAY

I don't review that many books but I have a love of children's and young adult books.  I was approached a few weeks ago to read a new on the market Young Adult book called Adventures of Ai by New York Times Bestseller, Craig T. Bouchard.

I wasn't sure what to expect for this book since I wasn't given an age range recommendation before reading.  I quickly realized that this would be a book that would probably be a good fit for the 12 and older crowd.  

This book leads its readers into an adventure of Japanese cultures and legends.  What do you get when you give a dad an audience of 3 willing daughters and the world as his stage.   You get a captivating audience in the readers.  What better way to spend quality time with your young children than teaching them about the world that will one day be theirs.


Adventures of Ai brings its readers through Mr. Bouchard's own memories of his friends in Hiro, Japan in 1990's as well as stories of ancient Japan. The book is read from the points of view from the children to the father and finally the brave and adventurous, Ai,  

Ai means "love" in Japanese.  The love that Bouchard shows his daughters continues throughout the story as his character Ai connects with her father that had been away for 3 years.  The friendship that she shares with the nature around her shows respect and love for all things beautiful from the inside.  She follows her mission that was set upon her by her father and finds who she was and who she is meant to be.

The Video Game:

This book is a good combination of true experiences and creativity with good morals.  It made such a fun book, the author made Ai's adventures in to a hit game on Androids, Kindle and iOS.  

It is a 3D video game where kids will follow the adventures of Ai and solve problems and challenges from art, history, poetry, music, and mathematics.

  

I played the game briefly and then turned it over to my 7 year old who LOVED it!  He gets to ride horses that fly, do the splits and find treasure.  What else could children want?  He even overlooked the fact that he was playing a girl(Ai).


Before the game starts, kids can choose to play for their country. Scores you get from the game will be in the form of cash contributions that will be given to different charities.

Proceeds from a global competition of kids playing the video game benefit children’s charities around the world, including:

• Lurie Children’s Hospital
• Misericordia Hearts of Mercy
• The National Cystic Fibrosis Foundation
• K is for Kids
• The Equestrian Challenge
• Ashinaga Uganda Rainbow House
• Operation Smile in China
• Taipei Orphan Foundation and Maria Social Welfare Foundation in Taiwan
• The Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake Recovery in Japan
• Cry and Magic Bus in India
• Children’s Leukemia and Cancer Research Foundation
• Sony Foundation of Australia
• Child Cancer Foundation of New Zealand

You play and help at the same time.

2 WINNERS WILL WIN A COPY OF ADVENTURES OF AI!  ENTER BELOW!

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You can get a copy of the books from Amazon, iTunes/iBooks Store, Google Play and Google Books.

Disclaimer:  I received a free e-book to review this book.  All thoughts and ideas are my own.  All photos are used with permission. 

DISCOUNTS AND GIVEAWAY: Aquarium of the Pacific Honors Local Cultures | @AquariumPacific

Photo Credit:  Aquarium of the Pacific

THE AQUARIUM’S ANNUAL NATIVE AMERICAN FESTIVAL

Several tribes will be represented at the Aquarium with live music and dance, cultural craft presentations, and artifacts of daily life

Envision what our region was like centuries ago, and learn about the various tribes that maintain their historical connection to the ocean at the Aquarium of the Pacific’s Moompetam: Gathering of the Salt Water People. The Aquarium’s tenth annual Native American festival will be held Saturday and Sunday, September 20-21, 2014. This event will feature traditional music, dance, storytelling, cultural craft demonstrations, and educational programs. Families will be able to participate in arts and crafts for all ages as well as other activities inspired by local maritime cultures. Native American artists will present cultural objects, such as basketry, items of adornment, and artifacts of daily life.


Moompetam (pronounced \’mohm peh tahm\), meaning “People of the Ocean,” is derived from the word for saltwater in the Tongva language. For the local, coastal, and island indigenous people of Southern California, the ocean has always been a sacred entity. The maritime native peoples that inhabited ocean waters for thousands of years, including the Tongva, Chumash, Acjachemen, Costanoan, Luiseno, and Kumeyaay, were taught to deeply respect the ocean. The ocean environment is reflected in all aspects of their cultures.

Photo Credit: Aquarium of the Pacific

WHEN: Saturday & Sunday, September 20-21, 2014, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

WHERE: Aquarium of the Pacific, 100 Aquarium Way, Long Beach, CA 90802

COST: Moompetam is included with general admission—$28.95 adult (12+) $18.95 with coupon, $25.95 senior (62+), $14.95 child (3-11), and free for children under age three and Aquarium members

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Are you busy this weekend?  Can't make it to the Festival?  No worries!  Here is another discount for children getting in FREE!  Click here for a Children get in FREE! Coupon.

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INFO: (562) 590-3100 or http://www.aquariumofpacific.org/events/info/moompetam/

AQUARIUM: The Aquarium of the Pacific, a nonprofit institution, is dedicated to conserving and building natural capital (nature and nature's services) by building social capital (the interactions between and among peoples). Beyond its animal exhibits, the Aquarium offers educational programs, from hands-on activities to lectures by leading scientists. It is a community gathering place where diverse cultures and the arts are celebrated and important topics facing our planet and our ocean are explored in the search for sustainable solutions.

Facebook.com/AquariumofthePacific / Twitter: @AquariumPacific / YouTube.com/AquariumofthePacific

RE-CAP: Lobsterfest 2014 at Ports O Call Village | @PofLALobsterfest #SanPedro

Last weekend, I was invited attend the Lobsterfest Festival in San Pedro.  Music, games, crafts, rides and of course LOBSTER!  I had walked into heaven.  

My family loves lobster and it was a whole party dedicated to its buttery masterpiece!  Walking into the festival, you knew you were in the right place with 20 foot tall lobsters welcoming you.

Lobster wasn't the only thing on the menus that day and as you walked in, there were at least 20 different food stands to choose from.  There were plenty of refreshments to keep our parched throats happy as well.

Follow the sweet smell of Main lobster and you will find yourself at the lobster tents where they will crack open your lobster to maximize your eating.  My kids dug into them like they were candy!  They were SO sweet!

  

The carnage that was left over after 6 people devoured their plates wouldn't even fit on one platter!

Besides enjoying the great food, we headed over to the live music stage put on by KROQ where "Well Hung Heart" was playing.  Berlin was playing later on in the weekend!  

My kids were dissapointed that the Pirate Show wasn't going on the first day because they remembered how much fun the activities were from last year.

My kids did discover that the Cabrillo Beach Aquarium had their mobile aquarium and teaching staff had a booth and were excited to show off what they knew.  I was proud as they answered all the questions they asked with the correct answers.  Not bad for a 5 and 7 year old.  

We could avoid the rides and games for only so long with two young children.  They had patiently walked around and ate without complaint as they eyed the carnival across the parking lot but they couldn't hold it in any longer.

This was a photo taken from the top of the Ferris Wheel!  It was the first time they had been up so high!

    

  

We really had a great time and enjoyed an evening with friends and family.  I even found a cute Cowgirl hat to wear to my next concert!  How do I look?

Even though we just got through a very hot weekend, going on the Friday the Lobsterfest opened meant that it was relatively on the quiet side perfect for a date night or a fun evening with the family.

I hope that if you didn't make the festival, you will make a point in it for next year.  Especially if you like seafood like we do.