From morning to night, the Fiesta Days celebration offers plenty to see and do.

By Mary O’KEEFE

This Memorial Day weekend the City of La Cañada Flintridge will continue a tradition started about 46 years ago: the Fiesta Days celebration and remembrance.

“It was [originally] a celebration around Cinco de Mayo to celebrate the Spanish heritage around [our area],” said Pat Anderson, president and CEO of the La Cañada Flintridge Chamber of Commerce.

Events were added and, after La Cañada Flintridge officially became a city in 1976, officials decided to hold a multi-day celebration over the Memorial Day weekend. They also wanted to include a remembrance to honor veterans in addition to celebrating the area’s heritage.

This year, Fiesta Days begins with a casino night on Friday, May 24 from 6:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m. at the Community Center of La Cañada Flintridge, 4469 Chevy Chase Drive. Casino night is the only Fiesta Days event that does not include children; from that point forward every event is family-friendly.

On Saturday, May 25, the morning begins at 8 a.m. with a French toast breakfast held at Memorial Park and sponsored by the La Cañada-La Crescenta AM Kiwanis. The breakfast will include French toast with butter, syrup and strawberries, sausage, coffee and orange juice that will be served from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. Tickets are $9 for adults and $4 for children under 12 years old. Tickets are available from the Kiwanis AM that meets every Wednesday from 7:30 a.m. to 8:30 a.m. at the Lutheran Church in the Foothills, 1700 Foothill Blvd. as well as from Key Club members at local high schools and the LCF Chamber of Commerce, One Civic Center Drive, Suite A.

Also on Saturday from 8 a.m. to 11 a.m. there will be a vintage car show at Memorial Park. After enjoying a great breakfast and a walk-through of the car show, people are invited to stop by the Farmers Market, which is held every Saturday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. across from Memorial Park at 1346 Foothill Blvd.

Each year the LCF Tournament of Roses Association creates a float for the Tournament of Roses Parade. On Saturday from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. the Association invites everyone to its 7th Annual Open House at 4524 Hampton Road. Then later that evening, at about 8:30 p.m., Fiesta Days continues with a “family flick,” this year showing “Ralph Breaks the Internet.” The temporary outdoor theater for the screening is at Memorial Park; the screening is sponsored by Carrie Grochow of Dilbeck Realtors. The audience should dress warmly and bring their own blankets, popcorn and snacks.

On Sunday, May 26, the fun begins at noon with the Lanterman House Summer Whites Picnic and Ukulele Rendezvous hosted by the Lanterman Historical Museum Foundation. The event is free to attend and will be held from noon to 4 p.m. The picnic is “bring your own” food and will be held in the Gardens. Free tours of the Lanterman House begin at 1 p.m.

According to the Lanterman Museum Foundation, visitors can admire the work of local artists from the Verdugo Hills Art Association and there will be dancing and live music in the ballroom. There will be cookies and lemonade for everyone to enjoy throughout the event. As a special treat, those in attendance can join an outdoor ukulele concert by the Honey Lulus. Guests are welcome to bring their ukuleles to join the fun and period dress is encouraged. In addition, visitors will have the opportunity to play croquet on the front lawn.

“The Summer Whites picnic is a wonderful community tradition and offers visitors a chance to enjoy the historic ambience of the Lanterman House,” said Laura Verlaque, executive director of the Lanterman Historical Museum Foundation.

The Summer Whites picnic was originally the brainchild of Walter Nelson, who also organizes the popular Ragtime Tea and Dance at the Lanterman House every spring. Nelson stated, “I suggested an idea for a free form, festive event that evoked a more elegant past, but avoided the rigidity of a historical re-enactment – an event that was accessible to everyone.”

Lanterman House is located at 4420 Encinas Drive.

Later in the day there is a family dinner with music performed by the La Cañada High School jazz band at Memorial Park. Dinner begins at 6 p.m. and music begins at 6:30 p.m. The dinner is a barbecue prepared and served by Los Gringos Locos and is sponsored by NASA Services, Inc. Tickets are $16 for adults and $6 for children 11 years old and younger. Concierge table service is available for an added fee; for information contact the Chamber at (818) 790-4289. After dinner there will be a fireworks show, with free admission, at Memorial Park. This show begins at 8:45 p.m. and is sponsored by the Allen Lund Company.

On Monday, May 27, local runners will lace up for the YMCA of the Foothills Fiesta Days Run. The 10K, 5K and one mile run/walk begins at 7 a.m. at Descanso Gardens. Then a Memorial Day service honoring veterans begins at 9 a.m. at Memorial Park followed by the annual Fiesta Days Parade at 10:30 a.m. The parade will also honor veterans, Anderson said.

From noon to 3:30 p.m. the community is invited to Afternoon in the Park at Memorial Park. It will feature games and a food court that will be open until 5 p.m. Music will be provided by local band Misplaced Priorities. Later that day, at 4 p.m., the City of La Cañada Flintridge sponsors Music in the Park, which kicks off the summer music series. This year, like in years past, fan favorite Captain Cardiac will perform.

“The only thing different this year is before and after the parade the Wells Fargo stagecoach will be at Memorial Park, without the horses, where kids can climb into it,” Anderson said. The stagecoach will not be in the parade.

Anderson added that Fiesta Days is sponsored by the LCF Chamber of Commerce in a joint partnership with the City of LCF.

“I guess what I like most about [Fiesta Days] is it brings so many people together in such a positive way and, at times [with Memorial Day service], sharing somber moments,” she said.

For information or to purchase tickets, visit www.lacandaflintridge.com or call (818) 790-4289.

  Haley FLYNN, Mary Okeefe