DANA POINT -- Celebrating its 42nd year, the Dana Point Festival of Whales is expected to attract more than 100,000 visitors to celebrate whale-watching season. Festival events are scheduled over two weekends: March 2-3 and 9-10.            

Whales pass Dana Point each day this time of year during their annual migration north, including California gray whales, humpbacks and orcas. Boaters will be cruising offshore to see them -- and so will passengers aboard charter whale-watching cruises.            

This year’s festival events include a kick-off parade (starting at 10 a.m. March 2), sand sculpting, musical entertainment and concerts on and off the water, a Street Fare Festival for culinary aficionados of all ages (10 a.m.-5 p.m. March 2), art shows, pancake breakfasts, a chowder cook-off, barbecues, classic car exhibits, a Whale of a Rubber Ducky Derby (11 a.m. March 3) historic walking tours, tall ship adventures, fishing trips, sailing/rowing/kayak/paddleboard demonstrations, a run/walk event and seminars at multiple venues, including the Ocean Institute.

There will also be environmental activities, interpretive crafts, the Mickey Munoz Mongoose Cup stand-up paddleboard event (9 a.m-3:30 p.m. March 9) and the Polynesian Connection Festival (11 a.m.-3 p.m. March 9). A free shuttle is available throughout the event.
             
For details, visit festivalofwhales.com or call (888) 440-4309.