Music, Movies and an Opening Night

It’s the biggest weekend of the year in San Diego. Comic-Con has arrived and many will flock to America’s Finest City to pay homage to their favorite superheroes and celebrities. You, too, can join in the comic celebration, but we understand if you want to avoid the crowds and stay a little closer to home.

Poway has plenty to keep you busy from July 22-24. It’s an artful weekend in our neighborhood and you can choose from plays, movies in the park, and concerts with great music. For the more athletic, there’s a long bike ride to wrap up your weekend.

You can venture out a little farther for the superhero spectacle downtown or walk around Shelter Island and help raise money for diseases that affect more than 2,000 families in San Diego. Travel to Ramona and release your inner cowboy or cowgirl.

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BEST BETS CLOSE TO HOME

• When/where: POWPAC, Poway’s Community Theatre, 13250 Poway Rd., Poway, 8 p.m., Friday and Saturday.
• Why go: It’s opening night of our community theatre’s Wonder of the World. Take a wild ride with main character Cass down the Niagara Falls.
• Price: $14-$18.

• When/where: , 13094 Civic Center Dr., Poway, 7:30 p.m., Saturday.
• Why go: Spread out on a blanket with your family and watch the movie How To Train Your Dragon in the park.
• Price: Free.

• When/where: , 14644 Lake Poway Rd., Poway, 5:30-7 p.m., Sunday.
• Why go: Enjoy the sounds of the ’60s with the musical talent of The Corvettes.
• Price: Free, but parking is $5 for non-residents.

• When/where: The Triathlete Store, 14037 Midland Rd., Poway, 8:15-10:45 a.m., Sunday.
• Why go: Enjoy the day with other bike riders and choose from either an 18- or 25-mile bike ride.
• Price: Free.

BEST BETS, A LITTLE FARTHER OUT

• When/where: Mountain Valley Ranch, intersection of Highway 78 and Magnolia Avenue, Ramona, 11 a.m.-5 p.m., Saturday.
• Why go: Release your inner cowboy! Chow down on some cowboy burgers, dance to country music and rope in some prizes. Don’t forget the gallon hats and spurs.
• Price: Free.

• Where/when: , 10 Evergreen Ave., Imperial Beach, 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Sunday.
• Why go: The U.S. Open is one serious sandcastle competition, with experts and novices alike competing for cash and bragging rights. More than $21,000 will be awarded.
• Price: Free.

• Where/when: The Pier, 2131 Shelter Island Dr., San Diego, 8 a.m.-noon, Sunday.
• Why go: Walk around Shelter Island with other locals and help support families in our San Diego community that are suffering from scleroderma and lupus. Raffle prizes, awards and music will follow the for-a-cause walk.
• Price: $10-$25.

• Where/when: San Diego Convention Center, 111 W. Harbor Dr., San Diego, 9:30 a.m., Thursday through Sunday.
• Why go: This huge event may be sold out, but graphic novel nerds and movie maniacs can still get their fix of celebrities and superheroes. for a list of Comic-Con events that you can still get into.
• Price: Varies between each activity.

• When/where: Del Mar Racetrack, 2260 Jimmy Durante Blvd., Del Mar, 1-6 p.m., Sunday.
• Why go: Take everyone over to the racetrack for rock climbing, games, bungee trampoline and more. Kids 12 and under get a free plush toy.
• Price: $6 for adults, free for kids 17 and under.