Whale of a Festival

The 27th annual Festival of the Whales begins this weekend and will run for two weeks. Tour boats will head out to sea hourly during the festival, looking for pods of whales passing by Dana Point on their annual migration from Alaska to Baja California. Festival organizers have established a series of Internet links that connect to virtual reality sites, where Web surfers can swim with whales in cyberspace or log onto the most recent cetecean sightings. There are detailed maps to the festival, links to the day’s weather forecast in Dana Point and separate pages for most every event taking place at the festival. To access the festival Web site, use https://www.dpfestivalofwhales.com. A look at some of the weekend activities:

SATURDAY

1. Whale Watching Excursions: Two hours in search of whales, dolphins and sea lions

Where: Dana Wharf Sportfishing

Cost: Adults, $14; children, $8

Information: (714) 496-5794

2. Festival of Whales Community Parade: Floats, school bands, antique cars

Where: East on Santa Clara Avenue, north on Street of the Violet Lantern, east Pacific Coast Highway to La Plaza; ends at Street Faire ’98

When: 10 a.m.

3. Street Faire ‘98: Arts, crafts, jewelry and clothing exhibits; petting zoo, live entertainment and food booths

Where: La Plaza and Pacific Coast Highway

When: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Cost: Free

4. The Brig Pilgrim: “Thar She Blows,” a re-creation of life on a sailing ship with opportunities to hoist sail and learn about 19th century seafaring

Where: Dana Point Harbor

When: 10 a.m., 11: 30 a.m., 1:30 p.m.

Cost: $4

5. Tide pool Explorations: Orange County Marine Institute experts lead participants on a 90-minute exploration of sea life in the tide pools

Where: Orange County Marine Institute

When: 3-4:30 p.m.

Cost: Adults, $4; children younger than 13, $3

SUNDAY

6. Antique and Collectible Show: Dealers from five states selling a variety of wares.

When: 7 a.m.-3 p.m.

Where: Lantern Bay Village (Ralphs Center)

Cost: $3

* Whale watching excursions from Dana Wharf Sportfishing, the Orange County Marine Institute ([714] 496-2274) and Dana Island Yacht Charters ([714] 248-7400); Street Faire ’98 and “Thar She Blows” continue with same hours and admission

FEB. 21

* Whale-watching and “Thar She Blows” continue

* Tide pool explorations continue, 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.

FEB. 22

7. Pancake breakfast: Includes juice, coffee and sausage

Where: Dana Point Youth and Group Facility

When: 8:30-11 a.m.

Cost: Adults, $3; children, $2

* Whale-watching and “Thar She Blows” continue

FEB. 28

8. 5th Annual Wag-A-Thon: People and their pets walk 2K or 4K for the Animal Rescue Foundation of Dana Point

Where: Dana Point Harbor Island at the statue

When: Registration, 7:30 a.m.; start, 9 a.m.

9. Professional Beach Volleyball Tournament: World-class volleyball players in two-on-two competition

Where: Doheny State Beach

When: 8 a.m.

10. Surfrider’s Whale Jam: Concert benefits the Surfrider Foundation

Where: La Plaza

When: 8 p.m.

Cost: To be announced

* Whale-watching and “Thar She Blows” continue; tide pool explorations from 3-4:30 p.m.

MARCH 1

Volleyball, whale-watching and “Thar She Blows” continue

To Find Out More

Other events and information: (800) 290-DANA or (714) 496-1555, or visit the festival web site at www.dpfestivalofwhales.com

Shuttle Service

Feb. 14-16: From Dana Hills High School to street festival, harbor and Orange County Marine Institute, 10 a.m.-5:30 p.m.

Feb. 21-22: Dana Point High School to harbor and marine institute, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.

Feb. 28-March 1: No shuttle service

Source: Festival of the Whales