Spring enters full bloom with two of coastal North San Diego County’s biggest events of the season, the Encinitas Spring Street Fair and Carlsbad Village Street Faire.
In keeping with the street fairs’ opportunities for community connections, local business support, live entertainment and food, the region’s local farmers markets look to sunnier days with their offerings this spring as well. Early spring also offers a fresh album launch from Oceanside singer-songwriter Kimmi Bitter.
Click the links embedded in this story’s text for more information about the events covered. Information for this month’s Spotlight is provided by organizations and individuals in the communities covered by the North Coast Current and OsideNews.
The Encinitas Spring Street Fair — The 39th annual Encinitas Spring Street Fair, sponsored by Ting Internet, returns to Coast Highway 101 on Saturday, April 27, and Sunday, April 28, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. The event offers more than 450 vendors, a beer garden, three entertainment stages and children’s rides. Electra Bike offers free bike valet service at each end of the festival. The festival is presented by the Encinitas 101 MainStreet Association. More information is available at encinitas101.com.
Carlsbad Village Street Faire — Carlsbad launches the month of May with one of the largest street fairs in the U.S. The spring season edition of the fair runs Sunday, May 5, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. along Grand Avenue in Carlsbad Village. Presented by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce, the event features 900 arts and crafts booths, antiques, a Kiwanis Club pancake breakfast, international food center, children’s rides and a certified farmers market. More information is available at carlsbad.org/carlsbad-village-street-faire.
Encinitas
April 18: Taste of Leucadia — Leucadia 101 Mainstreet Association presents its annual Taste of Leucadia on Thursday, April 18, from 5 to 8 p.m. where members of the community can tour North Coast Highway 101 and sample the culinary flavors and libations of the area’s numerous eateries. More than 15 restaurants will participate, in addition to Sip Stops at Leucadia merchants and live music. Go to the event website for more information and to purchase tickets.
Now through May 7: “Woven Treasures” — Local artists Debra Zimmerman, Grace Swanson, Carol Lang, Peggy Blessing, Sue Kamin, Kiana Jannesari and Natalie Kuhlman share their gourd and basket work in the Community Center now through May 7 at the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive. The Community Center’s hours are 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday. More information is available at the Misti Washington Gourd and Basket Guild website.
Now through May 9: “Bodies in Rest and Motion” at the city of Encinitas — San Diego artist Liz Kennedy has a solo show through the city of Encinitas’ Visual Arts Program, “Bodies in Rest and Motion,” now through May 9. The show, which runs along the hallway of the Encinitas Community Center, 1140 Oakcrest Park Drive, presents Kennedy’s figurative work made in the past three years. Find out more about the artist at zlikennedyart.com.
More Encinitas arts events this month — The city of Encinitas offers a variety of cultural arts events, particularly concerts from well-known and up-and-coming musicians and singers. Check out the city’s Cultural Arts website for a listing of the latest concerts.
Carlsbad
April 6-7: Carlsbad 5000 — Runners can still register for the upcoming Carlsbad 5000 races. The 5K and All Day 20K are on Sunday, April 7, but streets will also be closed Saturday, April 6, for related events. Race registration and information are available at carlsbad5000.com. Downtown Carlsbad street closure information is available on the city’s announcement page.
April 18: Author Nita Prose at the Dove Library — Nita Prose, the author of the million-seller novel “The Maid” and its sequel, “The Mystery Guest,” joins local booklovers for a presentation Thursday, April 18, at 6 p.m. in the Dove Library’s Ruby G. Schulman Auditorium, 1775 Dove Lane in La Costa. More information is available at the Carlsbad Reads Together website.
April 27: Pirate Plunge — Residents can enjoy pirate-themed pool activities and games during the city’s Pirate Plunge event on Saturday, April 27, from 5 to 8 p.m. at Alga Norte Aquatic Center, 6565 Alicante Road. Participants can take part in pirate-themed activities such as diving for treasure, walking the plank, and a ship raider race. The Splash Pad will also be open for children. Dry activities include a pirate ship slide and a treasure hunt. More information is available on the city’s event page.
Now through May 5: “The 39 Steps” at New Village Arts — “The 39 Steps,” a comedy directed by A.J. Knox, turns an Alfred Hitchcock story on its head with a swoon-worthy romance between two unsuspecting lovers who find a reason to look after each other and look after the world. New Village Arts is located at 2787 State St. Show dates and ticket information are available at newvillagearts.org/the-39-steps.
Earth Month events — The city of Carlsbad celebrates Earth Month with several events each Saturday. April 6: Earth Month Celebration and Compost and Mulch Giveaway at Pine Park focus on food waste prevention and offer a convenient way to pick up compost and mulch. April 13: Residents can bring broken items to a Fixit Clinic for repair and responsibly dispose of old electronics at an E-Waste Collection event at Dove Library. April 20: Registration is now open for I Love A Clean San Diego’s annual Creek to Bay Cleanup event, which includes Carlsbad locations. April 27: Residents can bring sensitive documents for recycling to a Shred and Recycle It event, and donate household items and clothing at Donate, Don’t Waste. Registration is required. More information is available at the city’s event page.
Oceanside
April 5: Kimmi Bitter “Old School” album release — San Diego Music Award-winning Kimmi Bitter and the Westside Twang brings her intoxicating blend of old-school country and swinging ’60s with her “Old School” album release show on Friday, April 5, at 8 p.m. Her acclaimed single “My Grass is Blue” is nominated for Single of the Year by Saving Country Music and Song of the Year by San Diego Music Awards. The show is at the Oceanside Theatre Co. At The Brooks, 217 N. Coast Hwy. More information, including ticket reservations, can be found at the theater’s reservation page.
April 6: Ironman 70.3 — Athletes from around the world will be in Oceanside on Saturday, April 6, for the Ironman 70.3, which will consist of a 1.2-mile swim in the Pacific Ocean, 56-mile bike loop through Camp Pendleton and 13.1-mile run through the city. The public is welcome to cheer on the athletes. More information is available at ironman.com/im703-oceanside.
April 13: Heritage Park Day — The city of Oceanside Parks and Recreation Department hosts a day of old-fashioned fun at Heritage Park, 315 Via Serra. The free carnival day on Saturday, April 13, from noon to 2 p.m. and 2:15 to 4:15 p.m. includes games, ice cream sundaes, crafts and more family-fun activities. Pets are not allowed. The event is free, but registration is required. For more information and to register, go to the city’s event page.
April 21: California Native Plant Garden Tour — Buena Vista Audubon hosts its 20th annual Native Plant Garden Tour on Sunday, April 21, at 2 p.m. Participants can see more than 18 California native plant gardens in the historic Seaside neighborhood of downtown Oceanside. Plant experts and neighborhood locals will lead the 1.5-mile walking tour. Go to bvaudubon.org for more information.
April 26-May 5: “Aladdin Jr.” at the Star Theatre — Star Theatre Coast Kids presents “Aladdin Jr.,” based on Disney’s 1992 Academy Award-winning film and the 2014 hit Broadway show about the “diamond in the rough” street kid who learns that his true worth lies deep within. The show by young performers has expanded characters and new songs. Star Theatre Co. is located at 402 N. Coast Hwy. Show dates, times and ticket information are available at startheatreco.com.
Now through July 28: Coastal Exposures: 10 Years of Photography at The Osider Magazine — The Oceanside Museum of Art presents “Coastal Exposures: 10 Years of Photography at The Osider Magazine,” an exhibition running through July 28 showcasing a decade of photography that captures the essence of Oceanside’s community through the lens The Osider Magazine. The museum is located at 704 Pier View Way. More information is available at oma-online.org.
Now through Aug. 18: Craftsmen: Hands On Design — The Oceanside Museum of Art presents “Allied Craftsmen: Hands On Design,” a juried showcase running through Aug. 18 featuring works from the Allied Craftsmen of San Diego, the oldest professional organization of craft artists in Southern California. The museum is located at 704 Pier View Way. More information is available about the show at oma-online.org.
More Oceanside events this month — Visit Oceanside has an extensive list of events from local restaurants, breweries, nonprofits and more. Check out Visit Oceanside’s calendar at visitoceanside.org/events.
Solana Beach
April 6: Adelante Mujer Conference — Teens and young adults still have time to register for La Colonia Community Foundation’s Adelante Mujer Conference on Saturday, April 6, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., at La Colonia Community Center, 715 Valley Ave. The event features workshops tailored for both adult women and middle/high school teen girls. Teens will engage in English workshops, including “We are First Generation” led by MiraCosta College Ambassador students, and “Connection and Self Love” facilitated by bilingual education prevention specialist Veronica Lopez. Registration is closed for adults, but slots remain open for teenagers. More information is available at the city’s event page.
Now through May 12: North Coast Repertory Theatre extended and new shows — The North Coast Repertory Theatre in Solana Beach has extended its run of Moliere’s “Tartuffe” through Sunday, April 7. Two-time Pulitzer Prize poet Richard Wilbur’s interpretation is presented for this satiric comedy that skewers religious hypocrisy, duplicity, lust and self-inflicted chaos. Then, starting on Wednesday, April 17, North Coast Rep launches the world premiere of “Sense of Decency” by Jake Broder, based on the book “The Nazi and the Psychiatrist” by Jack El-Hai. The surprise-filled story is an exploration into what makes people tick, filled with unexpected revelations, magic and insight. Go to northcoastrep.org for more information and ticket reservations.
This month at the Belly Up — Joan Osborne, Jim Messina, Rufus Wainwright, STRFKR and Yellow Days are among the performers at the Belly Up in Solana Beach and its related local venues during the month of April. Show updates, new listings and ticket reservations can be found at bellyup.com.
Farmers markets
Encinitas: The city has two farmers markets highlighting the unique nature of its individual communities. The Cardiff Farmer’s Market, sponsored by Cardiff 101 Main Street and located at the Mira Costa College campus, 3333 Manchester Ave., runs Saturdays from 10 a.m. to noon and has international food offerings, plant sales and a variety of vendors. The Leucadia Farmers Market, sponsored by Leucadia 101 Main Street, runs Sundays, except Easter, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Paul Ecke Central School, 185 Union St. The Leucadia market has more than 30 certified growers, 10 certified organic growers, and more than 70 vendors.
Carlsbad: The State Street Farmers’ Market is a Carlsbad Village staple, currently running winter hours from 2:30 to 6 p.m. through early March. The market is located at State Street between Carlsbad Village Drive and Grand Avenue. This lively market, sponsored by the Carlsbad Village Association, focuses on fresh fruits, vegetables, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, nuts and honey. Fresh flowers and plants are also a big part of the market. Artisan food vendors offer such goodies as bread, granola, yogurt, bone broth, kombucha, fudge and cookies.
Oceanside: Like Encinitas, Oceanside has two markets, in this case highlighting morning and afternoon into the evening. The Oceanside Morning Farmers Market is held Thursdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. all year. If you are searching for fresh local produce, flowers and nursery items, this is the market for you! But that’s not all we have. The market offers a variety of gourmet foods including artisan baked goods, organic honey, salsa and chips, dips and sauces, olives and olive oil, as well as floral and plant sales. The Sunset Market runs Thursdays from 5 to 9 p.m. and features about 200 merchants. The market spans four city blocks on Pier View Way west of Coast Highway. The Sunset Market includes children’s activities including Dorothy’s KidZone. Both markets are sponsored by MainStreet Oceanside.
San Marcos: The open-air San Marcos Farmers Market is held in the growing North City area near California State University San Marcos and is held Tuesdays with winter season hours of 3 to 7 p.m. The market can be found off Twin Oaks Valley Road at 251 N. City Drive. Visitors can find a variety of vendors offering local fresh fruits and vegetables, baked goods, fresh flowers, local honey, bread, eggs, yogurt, Kombucha, and artisan-packaged foods and specialty prepared hot foods.
Vista: The Vista Farmers Market runs 8 a.m. to noon on Saturdays, rain or shine. at the San Diego County Courthouse, 345 South Melrose Drive. The event is made up of five marketplaces — Food Specialties, consisting of foodmakers and farmers who produce what they sell; Certified Farmers Market, where farmers sell what they grow and benefit from being in a Certified Farmers Market; Worlds Fare, which serves foods from ethnic traditions around the world; Artisans Marketplace, which features local entrepreneurs who sell what they make; and the Gardeners Market, where farmers and craft makers sell items for your garden, from plants and pots to soil amendments.
Also in North County: The Solana Beach Farmers Market is open Sundays from noon to 4 p.m. at the Cedros Design District, 444 S. Cedros Ave. The Del Mar Farmers Market runs Saturdays from noon to 4 p.m. at the Del Mar Civic Center, 1050 Camino Del Mar. Free parking is available in the nearby garage. The Escondido Arts Partnership operates the Escondido Certified Farmers Market on Tuesdays from 2:30 p.m. until sunset at Heritage Garden Park in Downtown Escondido along Juniper Street between Grand Avenue and Valley Parkway. Also in Escondido, the Hidden Farmers’ Market offers fresh produce, baked goods and local products Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 123 Woodward Ave., near Grape Day Park and James Stone Pool.
Submit events for publication to the North Coast Current and OsideNews at currentevents[at]northcoastcurrent.com.