San Diego Weekend Guide: July 18-20 – Beats & Books
Opening day at the Del Mar Racetrack is not just about the ponies but elegant odd and wild hats too File photo by Chris Stone Times of San Diego From Opening Day at Del Mar and San Diego Pride to mariachi magic a nostalgic art exhibition and family-friendly book swap there s something for every vibe and every age this San Diego weekend The racing season at the Del Mar Thoroughbred Club kicks off Friday at the Del Mar Fairgrounds and it s off to the races in style The popular Opening Day hat contest begins at a m with prizes for the majority glamorous best fascinator best flowers and best racing theme On the track racegoers can catch the Oceanside Stakes Friday and the San Clemente Handicap Saturday Sessions also include a beer festival and a Brandt Beef pop-up Opening Day tickets start at while general admission is typically around with free entry for children and military members The California State Games the largest amateur sports festival in the state begin Friday at p m at Pechanga Arena with Olympic-style Opening Ceremonies The ticketed event features an athlete parade lighting of the cauldron and a fireworks show Nineteen sports including basketball artistic swimming field hockey pickleball and judo will be played at venues across San Diego County through Sunday The bulk events are free and open to the populace The San Diego International Mariachi Summit Gala Concert returns to the Balboa Theatre with a powerhouse lineup and a rare San Diego appearance by the world-renowned Mariachi de Am rica de Jes s Rodriguez de H jar They ll share the stage at p m Friday with Symphonic Mariachi Champa a Nevin the San Diego Binational Symphony Orchestra and more Proceeds benefit the Mariachi Scholarship Foundation which has supported mariachi instruction and awarded college scholarships since Tickets start around The San Diego Pride Parade gets underway at a m Saturday marching through Hillcrest to Balboa Park with this year s theme Unbreakable Pride Unshakeable Power From there parade-goers can head straight into the two-day festival and keep the celebration going through Sunday The music lineup features dozens of artists including headliners Kehlani and Kim Petras For all festival happenings and beyond explore our complete Pride Event Guide If literacy is the vibe there is a free family book swap at Pacific Highlands Ranch Library in Carmel Valley from a m to p m Saturday You can bring up to gently used books per family member and discover new reads to take home There will be author-led storytime at noon library scavenger hunt and creative kids events galore Organizers say no books are required to participate View this post on Instagram A post shared by Art Through The Glass attgsd Were you a mall rat Art Through the Glass collective brings life to vacant storefronts at the Chula Vista Center Mall with Rewind You Had to Be There And Now You Are The nostalgic group exhibition honors the joyful moments that shaped us from childhood games to family gatherings Featuring work from local artists the pop-up also includes zines crafts art vendors and Baja Soul Coffee at Saturday s opening from - p m Oh and it s free The Summer Spectacular Concert Series continues Saturday at SeaWorld with a performance by hip-hop legend Fat Joe Get ready to throw it back to the s and early s when the Puerto Rican rapper hits the stage at p m at the Bayside Amphitheater The concert is included with park admission and reserved seating upgrades are available for the best views Snapdragon Stadium hosts a top-of-the-table clash as San Diego FC takes on the Vancouver Whitecaps at p m Saturday It s Area Night and the first fans will receive free rally towels Tickets start at San Diego FC leads the Western Conference but just barely at one point ahead of Vancouver
