Memorial Day weekend festivals: KidFest, Fanime, BBQ, mushrooms
The three-day Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27, marks the unofficial start to summer. Here are some Bay Area options for getting your season off to a good start:
Bay Area KidFest: Friday, Saturday, Sunday at Mount Diablo High School, 2450 Grant St., Concord. The 33rd festival features live family entertainment, traveling attractions, arts and sports activities for the kids, plus food and drink vendors. Admission, $8 with canned food donation; free for kids 24 months and under and seniors 65-plus. Details: kidfestconcord.com/bay-area-kidfest
FanimeCon: This celebration of Japanese-style anime is expected to draw thousands of participants to downtown San Jose this weekend. Events are centered at the San Jose McEnery Convention Center, but the costumed participants will be out and about if you want to live vicariously through those dressed as Roku, Sailor Moon or Luffy. Details: www.fanime.com
Roaring Camp BBQ Cook-Off: Saturday and Sunday at Roaring Camp Railroads, 5401 Graham Hill Road, Felton. At this second annual family event, more than 20 teams will compete and also sell ribs and barbecue plates to the public. Live music, bounce houses and activities including blacksmithing and gold-panning demos. Competition starts at noon with single tastes, $6; tasting kits, $20. Train excursions, 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Details: https://roaringcamp.com/bbq-cook-off
Morgan Hill Mushroom Festival: Saturday-Sunday in downtown Morgan Hill. This city, the Mushroom Capital of the Western United States, will celebrate its top crop at this 43rd annual event. Along with mushroom dishes and recipe demos, there will be more than 145 arts, retail and food booths; wine and beer gardens; plus live music. Details: https://morganhillmushroomfestival.org/home
Carnaval San Francisco: Saturday-Sunday in SF’s Mission District, The 46th edition of this annual multicultural celebration and parade (9:30 a.m. Sunday) will feature food, music, dance, arts and crafts, games and live entertainment for all ages. Free admission. Details: carnavalsanfrancisco.org