March Events Calendar

By Catlin Dorset

3/23: Something Borrowed: Ideas and Inspirations for the Modern Bride
Location: The US Grant , Downtown
Admission: $75 /
Info: usgrant.net/wedding-show
Southern California’s nuptial experts share ideas, tips and tricks at this bridal brunch and preview of haute couture bridal fashions.

Padres Home Games:
3/30-4/2: vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
(Promotions: Opening Night 3/30; Opening Day Hat 4/1)

3/1-5/11: The Flower Fields
Location: Paseo Del Norte, Carlsbad
Admission: $12-$25
Info: theflowerfields.com
Stop and smell millions of multi-colored Giant Tecolote Ranunculus flowers (aka Persian Buttercups) blooming across 50 acres at Carlsbad Ranch.

3/1: Ocean Beach Kite Festival
Location: Dusty Rhodes Park, Ocean Beach
Admission: Free
Info: oceanbeachkiwanis.org
This annual event draws thousands to Ocean Beach to fly and build kites, and take carnival rides.

3/1: Sixth Annual St. Baldrick’s Shave-a-thon
Location: The Commons Bar, Gaslamp
Admission: $10-$20 donation
Info: stbaldricks.org
Knock back beers before getting buzzed. The brief baldness benefits childhood cancer charities and research.

3/1-2: 27th Annual Koi Show
Location: Del Mar Fairgrounds
Admission: Free
Info: koiclubofsandiego.org
Learn everything you’ll never need to know about Japanese carp from more than 40 vendors specializing in Koi sales, Koi pond design and Koi art.

3/4: Hillcrest Fat Tuesday
Location: University Ave., Hillcrest
Admission: $20-$30
Info: hillcrestfattuesday.com
This largest LGBT Fat Tuesday celebration west of New Orleans includes a masquerade parade, flying trapeze performers and an outdoor nightclub.

3/4: Gaslamp Mardi Gras
Location: Fifth Ave., Gaslamp
Admission: $30-$45
Info: sdmardigras.com
Join a crowd of 30,000 bead throwers with breast intentions at what organizers are calling the second largest Fat Tuesday celebration in the U.S. Snoop Dogg/Lion is headlining the annual outdoor parade/concert/party.

3/8-3/9: Vista Civil War Reenactment
Location: Antique Gas and Steam Engine Museum, Vista
Admission: $15
Info: civilwaralliance.com
The War Between the States rages once again, this time with all the grandpappys of North County on the front lines.

3/9: Siro-A
Location: Balboa Theatre, Downtown
Admission: $27-$67
Info: sandiegotheatres.org
Hailed as “the Blue Man Group of Japan,” Siro-A blends EDM music and ultra-high-energy dance expertise with mesmerizing light displays and intense on-stage theatrics.

3/14-15: Golf Fest
Location: Oaks North Golf Course, Rancho Bernardo
Admission: $10
Info: golffestshow.com
Get free pointers from a PGA pro before taking a swing at the Putting Challenge and Hole-In-One shoot-out with a $50,000 payout at stake.

3/15: San Diego ShamROCK
Location: Sixth Ave. and E St., Gaslamp
Admission: $30-$45
Info: sandiegoshamrock.com
More than 20,000 revelers, multiple stages with live bands and DJs, and acres of green Astroturf help transform the streets of the Gaslamp into the largest outdoor party on the West Coast.

3/27-3/30: Kia Classic
Location: Aviara Golf Club, Carlsbad
Admission: $10-$100
Info: kiaclassic.com
Top female pro golfers from around the world compete for a $1.7 million purse.

3/29-3/30: Spring Busker Festival
Location: Seaport Village, Downtown
Admission: Free
Info: seaportvillage.com
Unicyclists, sword swallowers, extreme jugglers, you get the idea...

3/30: CicloSDias
Location: Pacific Beach to La Jolla
Admission: Free
Info: ciclosdias.com
Ditch the whip for a day and walk, ride or board the 2.5 miles between Pacific Beach and La Jolla to promote cleaner, pollution-free air.

3/30: East Village Opening Day Block Party
Location: Sixth Ave. and J St., Downtown
Admission: Free
Info: eastvillagesandiego.com
Before the Padres take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in their home opener, tailgate with the masses at this annual event featuring a micro-brew beer garden, food trucks and live entertainment.
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What’s Afoot: Running Events

3/29: Ironman 70.3
Location: Oceanside Harbor
Admission: Registrations sold-out; free to watch
Info: ironman.com
Swim a 1.2-mile loop in the Oceanside Harbor, bike 56 miles through Camp Pendleton and finish with a 13.1-mile run along the coast. No sweat.

3/1: Finish Chelsea’s Run 5K
Location: Balboa Park
Admission: $35
Info: chelseaslight.org
Walk or run to raise money for the Chelsea’s Light Foundation.

3/8: Undy 5000
Location: Mission Bay Park
Admission: $20-$40
Info: ccalliance.org
Run this 5K in your skivvies to support the Colon Cancer Alliance, and then pick up a shiny new pair of Undy 5000 boxer shorts at the finish line.

3/9: San Diego Half Marathon
Location: Starts at Petco Park, Downtown
Admission: $55-$109
Info: sdhalfmarathon.com
Follow a scenic 13.1-mile loop through Gaslamp, Hillcrest, Liberty Station and Balboa Park.

3/16: Puppy Love 5K
Location: Hwy 101, Solana Beach
Admission: $35
Info: animalcenter.org
Grab your best two- and four-legged friends to raise money for the Helen Woodward Animal Center.

3/16: Seal Sprint V and Superseal VIII Triathlons
Location: Silver Strand State Beach, Coronado
Admission: $95-$245
Info: superfrogtriathlon.com
Test your endurance in the modest Seal Sprint V (500-meter swim, 20K bike ride, 6K run) or the overachieving Superseal VIII (1500- meter swim, 40K bike ride, 10K run).

3/22: Cosmic Run
Location: Qualcomm Stadium, Mission Valley
Admission: $50-$60
Info: cosmicrun.com
Run, walk and dance through this glowing fluorescent nighttime 5K followed by an EDM concert performance.

3/22: Race for Autism
Location: Balboa Park
Admission: $35-$38, plus $150 fundraising suggestion
Info: nfar.org
Dress as a super hero for this 5K in the park to raise funds for local autism programs and services.

3/23: Hot Chocolate 15/5K
Location: Petco Park, Downtown
Admission: $44-$66
Info: hotchocolate15k.com
Run for the Ghirardelli chocolates, hot cocoa and commemorative fleece jacket at the finish line.

3/29: March for Meals
Location: Road Runner Sports, Kearny Mesa
Admission: $30-$50
Info: meals-on-wheels.org
Fundraising 5K run/walk in support of Meals on Wheels.