San Pedro’s annual Whale Fiesta, sponsored and hosted by the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium, will return for its 52nd year this weekend.
The event, co-sponsored by the Port of Los Angeles, is meant to celebrate “the migration of gray whales along our shores,” said aquarium Director Crislyn McKerron.
The free fiesta will take place from noon to 4 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 5, at the aquarium, 3720 Stephen M. White Drive, though much of it will be staged outdoors on Cabrillo Beach. The event will feature life-sized inflatable whales, music, games, puppet shows, and displays by environmental, conservationist and educational exhibitors. There will also be marine mammal-related arts and crafts for all ages.
The Great Duct Tape Whale Contest and Whales Dynamics will also return.
Food trucks will be on hand as well.
“Whale Fiesta will be a big blowout this year,” said Jim DePompei, the aquarium’s programs director. “Adult blue whales can grow up to 100 feet long, making a life-sized inflatable blue whale an impressive sight to behold.”
The aquarium’s display of life-sized inflatable whales will allow visitors to see how they compare to some of the largest creatures on the planet. Two will be “open” for visitors to venture inside so they can see the creatures’ enormous hearts and rib cages.