Redondo Beach Summer Street Festival in Riviera Village, June 23-24, 2012, 10 a.m. - 7 p.m. both days! Free admission.

Location: Redondo & Catalina I Avenues, Redondo Beach, CA rvsummerfestival.com

REDONDO BEACH, CA--Riviera Summer Festival is an annual event that has gone by various names through its decades-long history. But the fun is the same, the entertainment and food superb, and the ocean view setting out of this world.

They call the shopping and residential district of Redondo Beach "Riviera" because its tall, stately palm trees and hillside luxury homes and businesses all offer the look and feel of a privileged lifestyle. Most of the area isn't particular fancy...it is more beach casual and eclectic.

And that's what you will find at the Summer Festival. Vendors set up food booths with smoked and barbecued meats, hot dogs, gelato iced desserts, sandwiches, an outdoor Mexican cafe, and all the kinds of foods you'd expect to see at your annual county fair.

The vendor booths sell everything you might expect at the weekly art fairs and markets. Lots of hand-made stuff such as clothing, Hawaiian prints, crafty outdoor plaques, garden--you name it.

The entertainment includes several stages and areas of entertainment. In the beer garden are solid rock bands playing favorites. Down the road are Polynesian style dance groups, kids entertainments and all sorts of funny, musical and interesting community type activities to enjoy.

A carnival with rides such as Tilta-Whirls, swings, kiddie trains, and a house of horrors in an entire carnival zone offers additional excitement and entertainment.

The sunshine usually breaks through the June gloom so you definitely should bring your sunblock and a hat for the inevitable burn if you aren't accustomed to those bright ocean-reflecting rays.