SeeCalifornia.com

If you’re looking for a little “bang for your buck” this Labor Day weekend, there are some military festivals that may give you more than you bargain for. Best of all — they’re FREE! These mostly outdoor events (tours of the inside of ships may be offered) feature hands-on learning and exploration for all ages.

In San Pedro, home to the Port of Los Angeles and USS Iowa, Fleet Week arrives with much fanfare Aug.30-Sept.2, 2019. At Fleet Week there’s actually a STEM Expo presented by The Boeing Company, featuring the Battleship Blast High School Robotics Competition.

LA FLEET WEEK

• Festival of Sail features Tall Ship Tours, Cannon Battles, Harbor Sails, and Maritime Crafts
• Military Appreciation Concert with band Cheap Trick, free on Friday
• Navy Leap Frogs Parachute Jump
• Aerial Demonstrations over the Main Channel
• The Bob Hope USO Rock Out
• Conquer the Bridge (Vincent Thomas Bridge) 5.3 Mile Race
• Obstacle Course Competition
• Veterans Village
• REBOOT Military & Veterans Job Fair Thursday

In Huntington Beach’s Central Park get ready for the annual Civil War Days Aug.31-Sept.1, 2019. This free event is a blast! Kids get a kick out of the sights, sounds and even the smell of the battles and canon fire.

HB CIVIL WAR DAYS

• 2 battles per day with canon fire and re-enactments
• Battlefield Concert
• Living History Weapons Demo
• Election of 1860 Rally
• President Lincoln’s Gettysburg Address
• Presidents & Generals Panel
• Encampments
• Reenactor Swap Meet, public welcome!
• Saturday Night Dinner & Dance $8, public invited
• Church Service Sunday