-Weekend-Whaddup April 18-19

The Long Beach Grand Prix
when: Apr 17 – Apr 19 at 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
where: Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, Ca
how much: $30 & up adults, kids free
ages: All Ages
the Whaddup:
Have you ever been to a real race? First, bring ear protection for you and your little one. Second they will think you’re awesome, they will be blown away by the raw speed the cars posses. This is one of those memories that will last forever. You’re welcome.
The Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach is an open-wheel race held on a street circuit in Long Beach. The Long Beach Grand Prix is the longest running major “street” race held on the North American continent. It’s the single largest event in the city!
Ticket prices vary depending on date and seating, but you can check it out with the kids on the cheap side. General admission tickets for adults start at $30, and kids 12 and under are free with a ticketed adult.
more info: website
FAIRE OF THE AGES
when: Fri April 17 – Sat April 18
where: Walter Reed Field
the Whaddup:
Come join the fun with friends and family at the Walter Reed Middle School FAIRE OF THE AGES & INNOVATION RUN!
Contests, Entertainment, Auction, Raffle, Art, Food, FUN!
Fri: 1-5pm Sat: 10-5pm
Earth Day Comes to the Zoo
when: Apr 18 – Apr 19 at 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
where: Griffith Park, L.A. Zoo, 5333 Zoo Dr., Los Angeles, Ca
cost: $14-$19
ages: All Ages
the Whaddup:
Every day is Earth Day for those of us who share this planet, but there’s no reason not to celebrate the fact!
Join the Los Angeles Zoo for two days of festivities where the whole family can learn more about conservation, sustainable living, and how to make Earth a better place to live. Activities include recycled crafts, information booths, and meeting the animals we share Earth with and need to keep it clean for!
All activities included with admission; kids under 2 are free.
more info: website
L.A. Times Festival of Books
when: Apr 18 – Apr 19 at 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
where: Exposition Park, USC, Exposition Blvd. and S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, Ca
cost: Free
ages: All Ages
the Whaddup:
This is the best book festival in town (this town or any other), and the kid stage is always the place to be!
This year authors include Jon Klassen (This is Not My Hat), Octavia Spencer (Randi Rhodes, Ninja Detective), Jeff Kinney (Diary of a Wimpy Kid) Drew Daywalt & Oliver Jeffers (The Day the Crayons Quit) and more. And in between readings and book signings with these authors, cool music acts for kids will take the stage. Don’t miss Nick and Jen, Jose Luis Ortega, Scooby Doo, dinos and more. There are tons more authors on the Kids Stage alone – remember to check the schedule so you don’t miss your favorites (or check out our handy guide that just gives you the good stuff!). Oh yeah, there’s some great stuff for grown ups, too.
The event is free, parking on USC campus is $10.
more info: website
BIKE/WALK/ROLL
when: Sunday
where: Hollywood to the Autry in Griffith Park
how much: 30-60 bucks
the Whaddup:
It’s an activity-filled run, bike or skate course to help raise awareness for hit-and-run crimes. Damian Kevitt, the survivor of a horrible hit and run in Griffith Park (that cost him his leg), has made it his mission to make streets safer for all. The event starts in Hollywood and traces the route Damian took on that fateful day in 2013. The routes continues into Griffith Park which is an oasis with ideal roads and paths for runners, walkers and bicyclists.
Full street closures ensure safety for the whole family. Register for several courses: Four bike routes ranging from 6 to 50 miles with a 200 to 3,500 foot elevation gain; a 10K run; or a walk and roll 10k. Finish at the Autry Museum in Griffith Park with a festival.