San Diego Pride Festival
Pride Parade
This weekend is the San Diego Pride Festival and to start thing off is the annual San Diego Pride Parade, which is one of the largest parades in the nation, organizers said.
More than 200,000 people are expected to line the streets of Hillcrest to support diversity and inclusiveness. The parade starts at the Hillcrest Pride Flag at University Avenue and Normal Street, proceeds west on University Avenue, turns south on Sixth Avenue, then left on Balboa Drive and ends at Laurel Street — the entrance to Pride Festival.
The parade starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Saturday.
Pride Festival
After the parade, come to the Pride Festival in Balboa Park where there are four stages of entertainment spanning two days and featuring more than 200 performers.
The festival is billed as the largest summer dance party. Some of the performers include R&B group TLC, Jai Rodriguez from the original “Queer Eye for the Straight Guy,” and the San Diego Gay Men Choir.
California State Game
The largest multi-sport festival in the state is coming to San Diego this weekend. More than 10,000 student-athletes will compete in 23 sports.
The California State Games is part of the National Congress of State Games, which encourages positive personal development through physical fitness.
The highlight of the Games is the Opening Ceremonies with an athlete parade, entertainment, torch lighting and fireworks.
The California State Games go from Thursday through Sunday at various sports facility throughout the city.
Over The Line Tourney
San Diegans are stepping up to the plate this weekend for the annual Over The Line tournament.
The 65th annual event, which runs for two weekends, will kick off Saturday.
The event typically attracts about 1,200 teams with three players on each team. Players are required to hit the ball over the line, which is about 55 feet out.
Attendees can expect some fun in the sun while players show off their batting skills, many of whom will be dressed up in costumes.
The tournament takes place at Fiesta Island in Mission Bay Park on both Saturday and Sunday beginning at 7:30 a.m. Watching the game is free and open to the public.
Mission San Diego de Alcala Festival of the Bells
Recapture the spirit of the frontier at the Mission Basilica San Diego de Alcala for the Festival of the Bells. It’s a celebration of the mission’s founding in 1769, 249 years ago.
The festivities include food, live entertainment, dancing and the blessing of the bells and blessing of the animals.
All five mission bells are rung at noon during the weekend festivities, including the original 1802 bell. It’s the only time of the year where all five bells will be rung.
The Festival of the Bell goes from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday with the blessing of the animals at 3:30 p.m. both days. The festival is free to attend.
Sun and Sea Festival
The largest annual event of this small beach town is back this weekend. The Sun and Sea Festival brings dozens of artists to Imperial Beach to make sandcastles.
Just in time for Comic-Con, this year’s festival theme is “Super Heroes in the Sand.” Besides the sandcastle competition, the two-day festival also features a morning paddle out, a beach run and pancake breakfast on Friday; a superhero parade and interactive kids zone on Saturday.
There is also farmer’s market and an international food with live musical performances.
The Sun and Sea Festival goes from 8 a.m. to dusk Friday and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday.