How often do you find fun things to do that are for free? You’ll be able to quite often this summer in Brea.
Read more States face more budget pressures amid rising costs, slow growth
Start with Father’s Day, June 21. Cruise on over to Brea Downtown to check out all the cool, classic cars at the free Father’s Day Car Show. Dad will love it, and Grandpa too.
Also in June are the Friday night Family Films at City Hall Park on Brea Boulevard. Take the kids, snacks, chairs or a blanket and enjoy family friendly movies for free at 8 p.m. on June 19 and 26 and July 10 and 17. One of my favorites, “A Bug’s Life,” plays June 26.
And don’t forget the annual Home Beautification Contest. Get out all the red, white and blue bunting and decorations and start decorating your house in its best patriotic style for America’s 250 Anniversary!
Email photos of your patriotic home by June 23 to [email protected].
Judges will choose the winner. Will it be your star-spangled house?
We’ll be celebrating America’s 250th anniversary at Brea’s July 4 Country Fair, which runs from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. That’s where Home Beautification winner will be announced and awarded $100.
But first, start the Country Fair with the pancake breakfast, and then check out the annual car show from 6 a.m. to 2 p.m.
There will be lots of games, rides, food, beverages, live entertainment plus the Most Patriotic Baby Contest from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., the Patriotic Pooch Parade at 10:15 a.m. and the Kiddie Parade at 10:45 a.m.
Over at the Brea Plunge there will be free swimming from noon to 3 p.m. And be sure to check out the marketplace for patriotic and home décor, plus much more. Something for everyone.
July also brings everyone’s favorite event, Concerts in the Park, at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesdays in City Hall Park. Grab your chairs or blanket, take some dinner or buy one of North Gate Church’s renowned tri-tip sandwiches.
North Gate Church volunteers have sold their delicious tri-tip sandwiches at Concerts in the Park since 1997. Pastor Doug Green noted they donate their tri-tip profits to help pay for the concerts.
Read more Man killed in hit-and-run crash on Alton Parkway in Irvine
“Last year,” he said, “we donated $5000.”
You can also enjoy snacks, snow cones, sodas and other drinks along with great music.
On July 8, the patriotic mood continues with Symphonic Winds of the Pacific’s Salute to America 250.
Get a feel of down-home, boot-kicking country music on July 15 when Country Nation presents modern to classic country tunes. Want to line dance?
The July 22 oncert will feature Soul3Sixty rocking us back to the 1960s with cool Motown and soul tunes. On July 29, Soto Band will bring us fabulous R&B, Latin and old school tunes. And there’s more.
The Concerts in the Park series ends in a big way on Aug. 5 when y2k2k! will rock the park with awesome pop and rock from the 2000s. Very cool!
Also in August will be Brea Fest, from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Aug. 7, at the Brea Civic and Cultural Center.
A $4 ticket will let you enjoy tastes of great food and drinks donated by local restaurants. No charge to just enjoy the live music, live theatre performances, view the exhibits in the Brea Gallery, and shop in Market Row. The kids will love the face painting, balloon animals, a bounce house and much more, all for free.
Proceeds from the ticket sales help support Brea’s art programs, including the Curtis Theatre, Brea Art Gallery and Concerts in the Park.
Hopefully, Brea Fest will be as popular as the Brea Chamber’s Taste of Brea in May that had more than 2,000 attendees.
Brea is definitely the place for food and fun this summer.
Terri Daxon is a freelance writer and the owner of Daxon Marketing Communications. She gives her perspective on Brea issues twice a month. Contact her at [email protected].
Read more Angels Q&A: Do the protests have any impact on Arte Moreno?