San Diego’s expansive Waterfront Park debuts, Meb gets a big key, Sheena Easton is a Bond girl, the bon temps rouler down on the bay, and so much more going on this weekend in America’s Finest City:
Celebrate the grand opening of San Diego’s brand-new, $65 million Waterfront Park, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at the County Administration Center on Pacific Highway. The 12-acre open space replaces surface parking to create a civic showpiece featuring an 830-foot-long fountain that shoots jets of water 14 feet into the air, a splash pad for children, a promenade, theme gardens, terraces, shade trees, picnic areas and public restrooms. Festivities include live music, dance performances, a classic car show, arts and crafts, children’s activities, a food truck pavilion, a farmers market, and a beer and wine garden. Admission is free. Organizers suggest parking at Qualcomm Stadium and taking the trolley. Tickets are $6, children 12 and younger ride free. The trolley picks up every 15 minutes, and the round trip to the event takes about 20 minutes.
Meet up with Meb Keflizighi at San Diego High School Saturday as Mayor Kevin Faulconer honors him with the key to the city. Better yet, head to Balboa Stadium, where you and your favorite running fans can share the track with the Olympic medalist and Boston Marathon champ before the ceremony begins. The walk takes place at 10:15 a.m., with the honors from the mayor to follow an hour later.
The good times roll all weekend with the 15th Annual Gator by the Bay music and food festival downtown at Spanish Landing Park. Festivities feature Tab Benoit in concert at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, Gator at Night from 3:30 to 10:30 Friday, and two full festival days from 10:30 a.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, and 10:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday. Check out the lineup of zydeco, blues, cajun, rockabilly, jazz, swing, country and salsa performers, and get your mouth watering for Louisiana cuisine. Tickets are available online or at the gate.
Sheena Easton plays Bond girl as she sings theme songs from the iconic spy films, 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday at Copley Symphony Hall. Backed by the San Diego Symphony under the direction of conductor Bill Conti, the Grammy Award-winning Easton will perform a collection of classic Bond tunes, including Nobody Does It Better, Goldfinger, Diamonds Are Forever, and the Oscar-winning Skyfall. Tickets are available online from $20 to $85.
Go fly a kite at the Ocean Beach Kite Festival, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday at Dusty Rhodes Park on Sunset Cliffs Boulevard at Nimitz Boulevard. The 66th annual event features live music, a street fair, carnival rides, food trucks, and all things kite–kite demonstrations, kite flying, kite making, kite decorating and more. This free event is sponsored by the Kiwanis Club of Ocean Beach. Parking is available at Robb Field, with a free shuttle to the event site.
Two stages of entertainment make for a day full of fun at the Asian Cultural Festival of San Diego, noon to 8 p.m. Saturday on Convoy Street, between Clairemont Mesa Boulevard and Raytheon Road. Celebrate the Year of the Horse with martial arts demonstrations, ethnic dance performances, cultural exhibits, games, music, family activities, and lots of food. Organizers say the free event is pet friendly and non-smoking.
