WEEKEND FESTIVALS ST. PATRICK'S DAY STARTS NOW.

Byline: Jaime Spangrude Staff Writer

Salute St. Patrick's Day the right way - with Irish brews, Irish stews and Irish music - at the Los Angeles County Irish Fair and Music Festival this Saturday and Sunday at the Pomona Fairplex. Celtic Spring, Dublin's Irish Spirit Band, Des Regan, the Nackers, the Mulligans, Dublin 4, the Kissers, the Wrath of McGrath and more will perform traditional and contemporary Irish tunes, while Irish dance groups will show off their jigs and reels. Special attractions include an ancient Irish village, sheepherding, Connemara ponies, highland games, Irish dog shows, Ireland vs. Great Britain wrestling matches, an Irish marketplace and bazaar, and the children's Leprechaun Kingdom.

CELTIC PRIDE: Los Angeles County Irish Fair and Music Festival at the Pomona Fairplex, 1101 W. McKinley Ave., Pomona. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. $16 for adults, $10 for seniors and students, free for kids 11 and under. [phone] or for advance tickets, go to www.la-irishfair.com.

Also happening this weekend:

LUCK OF THE IRISH: The South Bay St. Patrick's Day Weekend Committee presents the 11th annual St. Patrick's Day Parade and Festival, featuring performances by Colm Gallagher & Friends, the Kelly School of Dance and the Misty Isle Bag Pipe Band, craft vendors, a kiddy carnival and petting zoo. The parade steps off at 11 a.m. Saturday at Pier Avenue and Valley Drive, marches west on Pier, then south on Hermosa Avenue, where it disbands at Eighth Street in Hermosa Beach. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. Events, remote parking and shuttle service are free. [phone].

A WHALE OF A GOOD TIME: The ninth annual Point Mugu State Park Whale Festival centers around whale appreciation and marine awareness, featuring live entertainment, marine conservation information booths, whale watching stations, arts and crafts and food. Sycamore Cove in Point Mugu State Park. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. No admission fee, $10 day-use parking fee. [phone] or http://www.parks.ca.gov.

A FINE VINE: The City of Sierra Madre hosts the 87th annual Wistaria Festival, where you can view the 111-year-old, 250-ton wisteria vine, browse the Art Faire, indulge in delicious food offered by local restaurants and watch street musicians perform. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday. Round-trip tram rides that include a tour, brief history of the city and a viewing of the wisteria vine are $7 per person and must be reserved in advance. [phone].

GO FLY A KITE: Kite flying, yo-yo competitions and live music await you at the 31st annual Kite Festival on the Redondo Beach Pier. Noon to 5 p.m. Sunday. Free. [phone] or go to www.pierkites.com/kitefestival.htm.

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no caption (Los Angeles County Irish Fair and Music Festival)