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Free weekend? Here are 6 cheap ways to send off the summer
Shop Olvera Street at the city's 232nd birthday Saturday.
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fivedollarones/Flickr Creative Commons
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Labor Day weekend is finally here. It's time to grill some food, pop open a can of beer and soak up the sun before the end of summer. But between the beaches and BBQs, consider celebrating L.A.'s 232nd birthday, scarfing a late season Dodger dog, ogling 80s high-school superheroes at the beach, or just relaxing with some leisurely lawn games. It's all possible this weekend.
Here's everything you need to know: __________________________________________________________________
(Photo: Sam Howzit/Flickr Creative Commons)
Take yourself out to the ballgame before the season is over. The Dodgers face the San Diego Padres Friday in the final three-game installment of their current nine-game homestand. And be sure to stay until the end, when fans get the chance to rush the field for the stadium's Friday night fireworks.
When: 7:10 p.m. Friday
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Where: Dodger Stadium | MAP
Price: $20.25 and up | Purchase tickets here
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2. Bowl the green in Long Beach
(Photo: Rory OBrien/Flickr Creative Commons)
Show off your leisure sport skills and learn the challenging sport of lawn bowling. This free lesson is hosted by the Lawn Beach Lawn Bowling Club. Fun fact: The sport gained steam during the Roman Empire and later, the British Isles. More on the history here.
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Pro tip: Brush up on rules and regulations before you go. Here’s how to play like the pros.
When: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday; classes available through September 8
Where: Long Beach Lawn Bowling Facility | MAP
Price: Free
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3. Revel in epic 80s detention at Granada Beach
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Catch the last moonlit movie of the summer at Granada Beach Saturday. Transport yourself to a time when jocks ruled the school, side ponytails were requisite wear and Judd Nelson made the pretty girls squirm in the ultimate high school throwback, “The Breakfast Club.” '80s rock tribute band FlashPants, will kick off the night at 6 p.m. The flick starts around 8 p.m.
Pro tip: Bring a blanket to stay warm. Dinner, snacks and popcorn are available for purchase, but bring your own to save a buck.
When: Saturday; movie start at dusk
Where: Granada Beach | MAP
Price: Free
RELATED: 6 more beaches to know before the end of summer
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4. Shop, sample and support schools at Santa Monica's Market
Kick-start the weekend festivities with good food, good friends at Friday's back-to-school-themed gathering at The Market at Santa Monica Place. It'll be an evening of wine and food tastings, outdoor pop-up boutiques, face painting and live entertainment. There will be opportunities to donate to local schools, too.
Pro tip: Attendees get 10 percent off all purchases at the Market during the event, and the first 200 attendees get a free tote bag filled with food — a pretty sweet deal if you ask us.
Where: The Market | MAP
When: Friday, 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.
Price: Free
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5. Strut and peddle alongside LA's elder families for the city's 232nd birthday
Bike the route that Los Pobladores — L.A.'s original settlers — took in 1781 to reach the city as El Pueblo de la Reina de los Ángeles (aka. L.A.) celebrates its 232nd birthday Saturday. Co-hosted by the settlers' descendants and the Los Angeles County Bicycle Coalition, folks can ride or walk the 9 miles from San Gabriel Mission to El Pueblo Historical Monument (off of Olvera Street). Expect music and a birthday cake when the trek is over.
Pro tip: Free fruit trees will be available for adoption 10 a.m. at El Pueblo Historical Monument. Stop by then to shop and eat the historic street if you can't make the early wake-up call. Click here for more info.
When: Saturday; pedestrians meet at 6:00 a.m. and leave at 6:30 a.m.; bicyclists meet at 7:30 a.m. and leave at 8:00 a.m.
Where: San Gabriel Mission | MAP
Price: Free
(Photo: andre_anna/Flickr Creative Commons)
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6. Komodo #BlockParty in West LA
(Photo courtesy of Komodo Block Party)
Listen to electronica and hip hop beats courtesy of DJ Syntax before hopping over to the food and fashion trucks on the intersection of Pico and Robertson in West L.A. Food trucks include B Sweet Truck, Son of a Bun, Grilled Cheese Truck, Cream'wich and many more.
Pro tip: Use the hashtag #picorobertson or #blockparty when you snap photos. The best hashtagged shots will win prizes from the Komodo team.
When: Friday, 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Where: Intersection of Pico and Robertson Blvds.| MAP
Price: Free
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What are your weekend plans? Are you staying away from the heat, or catching a midnight flick? Let us know in the comments.
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