Summertime…time to kick back and unwind.

Summer is here and it's time to get out of the house! There are many activities around the greater Los Angeles area to rev up your June, July and August. Plus, grown ups, rejoice! Summertime is not just for kids. There are great things for adults to do too. So, if you're looking for something to participate in this summer that is different, read on. We have compiled a list of the latest and greatest happenings in the Los Angeles area. Enjoy!

Everyone loves a good fair. Stocked with games, food, and fun, fairs draw in both kids and adults. Often, fairs have themes attached to them. Fairs with themes carry food and activities relating to their particular subject.

Here is a listing of some fairs and festivals this summer.

Colfax World Fair - June 2nd 1 - 7p.m.

Rides, games, food, face painting, a special area for preschoolers & of course, entertainment! Raffle ($1 per ticket) prizes include: $1000 CASH, Apple Video iPod, vintage diamond ring, Panasonic 50" Plasma High Definition TV, Box Seat & VIP Parking for 15 at the Staples Center (Clippers or Kings game). Silent Auction includes a walk-on on "ER," Private party for 20 at Jillian's Bowling, Private party for 20 at Jake's Diner & Billiard Club, Private screening room for 50 at "Two Roads Theatre", Dyson vacuum and Caribbean Cruise. Concert tickets to Gwen Stefani, Fall Out Boy, Roger Water, John Mayer, Emmy Awards 2007, taping of "Suite Life of Zack & Cody", "Cory in the House", "Are You Smarter Than a 5th Grader" and also Disneyland, Legoland, Universal, Dodgers, SeaWorld and much, much more! www.colfaxelementary.org

SFV Fair

If you're looking for a great time filled with rides, churros and cotton candy then the San Fernando Valley Fair is for you. The SFV Fair runs from June 9 - 11 and there will be plenty of fun activities. Take a spin on a Carnival Ride, play Midway Games, and watch the Tigers of India spectacular show. Other shows include the Sea Lion Splash, Heritage of Horses, and Spectacular Circus Show. Test your fear of heights by going bungee jumping, or chow down at the International Food Court Other features are commercial vendors, strolling entertainment, animal petting zoo and pony rides, blow-up slides, rock climbing walls, stilt walkers, face painting and more. There will also be two entertainment stages with many groups, including headliners Tierra and Platters and Coasters and Drifters.

The Los Angeles Women's Music Festival

Celebrating women in music and the men and women who love them, the festival will feature more than 100 artists representing all styles and genres of music. Tickets now on sale! Proceeds will benefit animal rescue organizations. Aug. 25, Woodley Park , Encino.

www. lawmf.com

Cajun and Zydeco Festival

Go down to the Bayou with this amazing Cajun celebration. Hosted at Rainbow Lagoon Park , behind the Long Beach Convention Center , this festival hosts food and music with a Mardi Gras spirit. For 21 years the Cajun festival has offered the best family oriented entertainment. Each year they bring together a mix of authentic Louisiana music, Creole food and arts & craft vendors to Long Beach for a weekend of music, dancing and fun. It is the one summer festival you will not want to miss. June 22, 23 and 24. Call (562) 427-8834 for more information.

Sawdust Festival

Visitors experience the artistic wonders of 200 Laguna Beach artists amidst towering eucalyptus trees and tranquil waterfalls within a three and half acre canyon setting. Since 1966 the Sawdust has drawn art enthusiasts looking for original artwork including: painting, ceramics, jewelry, photography, textile arts, wood and metal sculpture, hand blown and fused glass and even scrimshaw. Artists offer seminars or one-on-ones at the Sawdust Eucalyptus Grove fairground on Laguna Canyon Road in Laguna Beach . Call (949) 494-3030 for more information.

25th Annual Topanga Blues Festival

What better way to kick off summer than spending a Saturday immersing yourself in the natural beauty of a picturesque amphitheatre in Topanga Canyon , and enjoying a day full of world-class live music? Friends and family alike will gather together on Saturday, June 16th at the Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum at 1419 Topanga Canyon Boulevard to enjoy an entire afternoon of blues & roots music in this beautiful and serene setting for the 25th Annual Topanga Blues Festival. The festival is a family-friendly event, featuring a variety of activities for the families and children, such as a harmonica workshop and face painting, plus a wide array of food options as well as a beer garden to quench your thirst in the sun. June 16. 1419 Topanga Canyon Blvd. Call (818) 755 4460 for more information.

Tofu Festival

The LA Tofu Festival is a fundraiser for the Little Tokyo Service Center, a non-profit community-based organization, which has been providing services to low income, immigrant, homeless and distressed seniors and families for over 25 years. Programs include assistance to victims of domestic violence, support groups, child abuse and neglect outreach, emergency food and shelter assistance, affordable housing, and community redevelopment. The Little Tokyo Service Center services the diverse, multi-ethnic population of greater Los Angeles . This soybean curd adventure, featuring tofu cheesecake and tofu ceviche, happens on the first weekend in August in Joe's Auto Park Lot, sponsored by the Little Service Center. Call (310) 656-1616 for more information.

Surf Festival

This festival is what the beach is all about. The annual Surf Festival may be curiously named as it is primarily a whacky volleyball tournament, but it combines outdoor competition, a very loose atmosphere and a goes on all-day/all-night. World-class volleyball players, top college stars and disguised AVP pros don costumes as if it were Halloween. In addition to a loose attitude, they bring their incredible skills to a 6-man beach tournament. The event is held the first weekend of August. In addition, lifeguards from Australia compete with Americans at surfing, volleyball, swimming and running in the South Bay . Call (310) 305-9503 for more information.

Summerfest 2007

The Chatsworth Summerfest 2000 is an exciting event, which begins at 11:00 a.m., and features live music, international food and beverages, prize drawings, kids' crafts and activities, special demonstrations and exhibits and much more. The free event is designed to bring the families, business owners, elected representatives, and civic organizations of Chatsworth together. June 9, 2007, at the Chatsworth Train Depot Station.

Electric Daisy Festival

Electric Daisy Festival is a music festival - but so much more. In addition to dozens of high-quality music acts, EDC features a host of festival extras to create a feast for the senses. There is something

for everyone within their complete entertainment experience. Attendees can get aboard high flying, death defying, scream supplying full size carnival rides. Rides include: The Force Ten, The Orbiter, Cliff Hanger, The Yo-Yo, Tornado, Giant Super Slide & more! All rides are free, day & night. They also offer art installations, tribal drum circles, aerial performers, stilt walkers, fire twirlers, hoping and more! June 30. 4 p.m. till 4 a.m. A sampling of musical artists performing are Kenetic Field, Bass Pond, Cosmic Meadow, Circuit Grounds and Neon Garden . LA's Exposition Park , 3939 South Figueroa, Los Angeles . www.electricdaisycarnival.com

The 24th Annual Temecula Valley Balloon and Wine Festival

The Temecula Valley Balloon & Wine Festival offers top-name entertainment, wine tasting in the Wine Gardens , Kids Faire, Arts & Crafts and Commercial exhibits and the Food Court . Wine tasting features different premium wines from numerous Temecula Valley wineries as well as others from Southern California . Enjoy a memorable experience and book a hot air balloon flight. Your journey will begin at sunrise as the balloon lifts gently into the sapphire skies above Lake Skinner . Wine Tasting, Food Court , Arts and Crafts, Commercial Court and Kids Stuff. June 1st, 2nd and 3rd at Lake Skinner . Lake Skinner is a Riverside County Park and is located at 37701 Warren Rd. , Winchester . Tickets $15 - $22. www.tvbwf.com

Who needs the radio? Get off that Ipod! There are plenty of musical concerts happening all around the Los Angeles area. Styles range from classical to rock. Here are a few to choose from:

Concerts in the Park

Free music for the whole family! Concerts in the Park are presented each Sunday, June through Labor Day, from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Lou Bredlow Pavilion in Warner Center Park , Woodland Hills - a 20-acre plot of land on Topanga Canyon Boulevard donated to the City of Los Angeles by the Harry Warner family. In 1993, the stage facility was dedicated as the Lou Bredlow Pavilion in honor of Valley Cultural Center 's founder. A focal point for the Valley's summer entertainment, Concerts in the Park features rock, classical, jazz, R&B, Latino pop, country, cowboy, Dixieland, folk and more, entertains more than 140,000 Valley residents and visitors each year. 

Playboy Jazz at Hollywood Bowl

A celebration of outstanding performances that span jazz, blues, world grooves and a menagerie of musical intersections, the legendary Playboy Jazz Festival once again returns to the Hollywood Bowl for a weekend without equal. June 16, 17. 1:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. The decades-old tradition, started in 1959 by magazine impresario Hugh M. Hefner, brings together prodigious talent, including longtime MC and comic icon Bill Cosby. This year's slate of musical giants and virtuosos lives up to previous legendary gatherings. Saturday features the live-wire electric blues of Chicago axeman Buddy Guy and a performance by heartfelt trumpeter Chris Botti. Things don't let up on Sunday, when ladies headline another diverse day of music. Sassy and passionate R&B legend Etta James will perform with her Roots Band and jazz songstress Dianne Reeves will delight with her legendary interpretations and sonorous voice. Also featured is the world premiere performance by Arturo Sandoval's Mambo Mania Big Band, a group helmed by the technically brilliant Cuban trumpeter.

California Philharmonic Concerts' Saturday evening musical events:

"Theatre on the Hill" Featured on the program will be Beethoven's Piano Concerto Opus 80, "Choral Fantasy" and "Ode to Joy" from the 9th symphony. Inspirational, patriotic melodies for "Les Miserables," "Carousel" and "The Sound of Music" will also be performed, plus top songs of the decades by Peter, Paul and Mary, Burt Bacharach, Lee Greenwood and Martina McBride. The thrilling "Battle Hymn of the Republic" will conclude the show. Tickets are $25. (818) 753-3306.

"Festival on the Green" concerts held at the world famous Los Angeles County Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia and the Walt Disney Concert Hall. Concerts begin at 7:30 pm, with live jazz and dining from 5:30 pm. Tickets: $20-98, Call 626.300.8200 or purchase online at www.calphil.org

Travel around the world in 80 minutes with California Philharmonics' Artist-in-Residence, Suzanna Guzmán, who has perfected the title role of Carmen, playing the character over 100 times, more than any other actress in history. Together with bass-baritone Cedric Berry and tenor Robert MacNeil, the trio will stun you with vocal excerpts from classical operas and hit musicals. Carmen on Broadway, Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia, July 28, 7:30 p.m., Walt Disney Concert Hall - July 29, 2 p.m.

Put on your dancing shoes! Here's where you get to twist and shout.

Get your groove on at the Twilight Dance Series. Hosted at the Santa Monica Pier, at Ocean and Colorado Avenues, it is the hot gathering spot every Thursday evening in July, for dancing to live jazz and blues. The Twilight Dance Series has been a Southern California tradition for twenty-three years. It is presented by Amoeba Records and begins on June 28 and will run through August 30. For ten Thursday evenings during the summer starting at 7:30 p.m., prepare to sing, dance, or just rock out to the best in reggae, folk, rock and eclectic world music. Admission is and has always been free! Call (310) 458-8900 for more information

Let's Dance!

Sample a diversity of dance crazes and rousing classics to move both your soul and your feet from Beethoven Symphony No. 7 to The Three-cornered Hat and Grease. Arboretum and Botanic Garden in Arcadia - August 11, 7:30 p.m. Walt Disney Concert Hall August 12, 2p.m.

.What about the 4th of July? There are so many ways to celebrate. And it's so much fun. Here is a listing of local attractions:

Fireworks and 4th of July Celebration - Americafest at the Rose Bowl

Come see the biggest and best fireworks show in Southern California at the 80th annual Americafest fireworks and 4th of July celebration at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena , California . The Pasadena POPS Orchestra will perform a musical tribute to the USA with a special appearance by the 5 Browns playing 5 Steinway grand pianos simultaneously. A bbq fest starts in morning and a 30 minute fireworks display begins at 9pm, choreographed to music.

Kaboom! - Fairplex in Pomona

The KABOOM! 4th of July Celebration at Fairplex Park Grandstand begins at 8 p.m. with a Monster Truck and Big Air MotoX Extreme Show followed by a Fireworks Spectacular at 9:15 p.m. The Monster Trucks perform off-the-wall, radical stunts and roar through every obstacle in their path. The Big Air Moto X show has daredevil motorcyclists flying high in the air while performing whips, flips, supermans and can-cans. Food and beverages will be available. Tickets $11 909-623-3111

Fireworks at the Hollywood Bowl

The Hollywood Bowl will have fireworks July 2-4 7:30 p.m. Ticket prices vary between $6-$106. The July 4th celebration will feature singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins. Fireworks begin at about 9:15 pm. Pack a picnic basket or purchase picnic fare at one of the vendors and enjoy a meal before the show begins. Avoid parking problems by using one of the 15 Park and Ride locations and take a shuttle for $5

Top Picks: Fireworks at the Hollywood Bowl

Santa Monica College 's Corsair Field - Saturday July 1

Santa Monica College 's "Celebrate America " begins at 5 pm with live entertainment and picnicking, followed by fireworks at night. Best of all it is FREE. Parking is $5. Santa Monica College [16th and Pearl Street ] 1900 Pico Blvd. Corsair Field 310-434-3000

Marina Del Rey Fireworks Show

After a day shopping at Fisherman's Village, or playing at the beach or in Chace Park enjoy viewing the spectacular FREE Fireworks display at 9 pm in Marina Del Rey. The fireworks are choreographed to patriotic music broadcast over radio KXLU, 88.9 FM. The best places to view the show are at Chace Park off Mindanoa Way and Fisherman's Village at Fiji Way . 310-305-9545

The Starlight Bowl 4th of July - Burbank

Picnicking starts at 6:00 p.m. Live entertainment and music from 6:30 p.m.-9:00 p.m. Fireworks at 9:00 p.m. Tickets $10-$15, Children under 2 are free, Parking $5. There are 3,000 seats in the stadium and 2,000 on the lawn for blankets and lawn chairs. Attendees can bring picnic items, including beer and wine, or buy food at the bowl. No pets are allowed. Starlight Bowl 1249 Lockheed View Dr. - Burbank 818-525-3721

Of course you can't forget the kids. They love summertime! So take them to activities geared especially for them.

Summer Sounds at the Hollywood Bowl

Summer Sounds is a music festival for children ages 3-11 at the historic Hollywood Bowl featuring daily concerts designed for kids and an outdoor fine arts studio. Concerts feature music from different parts of the world depending on the week. Daily 10 am and 11:15 a.m., The Hollywood Bowl. Fine Art Workshops are $4 for kids 3-11. www.hollywoodbowl.

Feria del Libro: A Family Book Fair

More than 30,000 children and their families will have an opportunity to meet internationally renowned authors, listen to story tellers, buy books, visit with special Disney and Nick Jr. animation characters and enjoy food and live entertainment. June 2, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. For information go to:

www.feriadellibro.net/site or call (213) 484-2870.

Still don't know what to do this summer? Check out this stuff.

The Los Angeles County Department of Beaches and Harbors is offering its popular Bird Watching, Harbor Kayaking and Surf Kayaking programs for individuals and families. Bird watching will take groups to sites in the Ballona Wetlands. Dates and times are: June 28, 9 am. No cost for the excursion, but pre-registration is suggested. Each outing is approx. 2 hours long. Harbor Kayaking in the Marina harbor for 10 years and older from 11:30 am to 1:45 pm. Dates are June 16, July 28, and August 25. Cost is $25.00 10-18 yrs of age, $30.00 19 or older. Surf Kayaking heads out to the North Jetty on sit-on-top kayaks. All classes Saturday from 8-11 am; June 16, July 28, August 25. Cost per outing is $25.00 ages 10-18 yrs. and $30 ages 19 and older.

Take yourself out to a ball game. Go to Dodgers Stadium, catch a baseball game and get something extra for yourself or your kids. From June - July kids and parents can pick up retro alarm clocks, free Universal Studios children's tickets, beach towels, Dodgers caps, trading cards, bobble heads, and kids circus tickets on specific giveaway days. Fireworks will be displayed on July 4th after the game, and there is an autograph session with the players on July 22.

American Heroes Air Show

Buckle up for high-flying excitement when the nation's premier aviation event devoted exclusively to helicopters lands at the Hansen Dam Sports Complex in the San Fernando Valley . Since 1993, this admission-free event has been dedicated to the unique capabilities and dynamic role of helicopters in law enforcement, fire service, public safety, national defense and homeland security. Explore the evolution of helicopters. It's a unique opportunity. Have your camera ready and introduce your entire crew to many of the Southland's most well known celebrity / media pilots plus get an up-close look at the aircraft you see them in every day for traffic and news reports. June 23. 11480 Foothill Blvd , Sylmar. www.heroes-airshow.com

Any of these great options for summer will blow fun into your day and chase boredom away. So get out there and dive into those activities that fill up your warm summer days and beautiful summer nights. Pick and choose what would be great for you and your family, and no matter what you select, you'll be guaranteed a wonderful time.

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