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Thursday Night Market Launches at Great Park with Food, Music, and Family Fun

Issue # 0447

Author

Joshua Tjia
21 Jul

In this Irvine Insider Issue . . .

😁 Laugh Of The Day

🌤️ Irvine Weather

🍿🎉 Thursday Night Market Launches at Great Park with Food, Music, and Family Fun

🌳🎶 Celebrate Summer with Concordia’s Concerts on the Green

🛝 Bocce Ball Courts Coming to Sweet Shade Park as Summer Upgrades Continue

🌸🍓🌸 Sip Into Summer with Hello Kitty’s Sweet Strawberry Soda

📖 Family Storytime and Summer Library Fun in Irvine on July 26

🩺🩹 Travel First-Aid Kit: Stay Safe on Vacation with These Essentials

🌅🥾 Take in the Sunset and Scenery on a Guided Evening Hike on July 22

🪵🪚 Learn Woodworking Skills and Build Your Own Project at Woodbridge Village

🎼🎼 Upcoming High School Music Calendar

🐈🐇 Splooting Explained: How Pets Beat the Summer Heat in the Cutest Way

🤽‍♀️ 10 UC Irvine Women's Water Polo Players Named to ACWPC All-Academic List

🏀🏐🎾⚾ UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

🏀🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS

🏈🎾 High School Athletics Calendar

🚓🚁 Irvine PD Apprehends Fleeing Driver with Assistance from K-9 and Aerial Units

🍏🥭🍑 Local Farmers Markets

🌟🏪🎉Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

📅📅 Lots of Local Events

📞💡 Useful Contact Information

What do sheep do on sunny days?

Have a baa-baa-cue!

We hope this joke brings some laughter to your day! 😁

Thursday Night Market Launches at Great Park with Food, Music, and Family Fun

The City of Irvine, in collaboration with PSQ Productions, is launching the Thursday Night Market at Great Park Live starting July 24 from 5–9 p.m. 

  • This new weekly summer event aims to bring the community together with themed nights, live entertainment, food vendors, artisan shopping, and family activities.

  • Opening night’s theme is “Neon Street Feast” and features a Michael Jackson tribute by Mamase.

  • The market will include global cuisine, local crafts, and a Kids Zone for family-friendly fun.

  • Find more information here.

Celebrate Summer with Concordia’s Concerts on the Green

Catch Vintage Vinyl live at Concordia University’s Concerts on the Green on Sunday, July 27, from 5–7 PM. This tribute band brings the best of the '60s–'80s to life with hits from The Eagles, Fleetwood Mac, The Beatles, and more.

Alumni are invited to join the fun and grab an exclusive Summer Swag Bag.

Bocce Ball Courts Coming to Sweet Shade Park as Summer Upgrades Continue

Construction begins Monday, July 21, on two new bocce ball courts at Sweet Shade Neighborhood Park in Irvine.

  • The work will take place on weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. and follows recent updates to the park’s universal playground, including new rubber play surfaces, sand tables, and seating.

  • The playground will remain open during construction, and the upgrades are scheduled for completion later this summer.

Sip Into Summer with Hello Kitty’s Sweet Strawberry Soda

Cool off this summer with the new Strawberry Soda at the Hello Kitty Cafe at the Irvine Spectrum! 🍓 This refreshing drink combines strawberry yogurt soda with strawberry popping boba for a sweet, fizzy treat that’s perfect for warm days. Now available for a limited time!

Family Storytime and Summer Library Fun in Irvine on July 26

Bring the family to Irvine Public Library’s Family Storytime Saturdays at the University Community Center on July 26 at 10 a.m. This fun, engaging program invites children and their families to enjoy stories together in a welcoming community setting.

Travel First-Aid Kit: Stay Safe on Vacation with These Essentials

Even while on vacation, unexpected illnesses or minor injuries can occur. Dr. Emilie Chow, a UCI Health physician and professor at the UC Irvine School of Medicine, recommends creating a compact, well-labeled travel first-aid kit with essentials to handle common mishaps. Here's what she suggests including:

  • Pain relievers: Ibuprofen and acetaminophen for headaches, fevers, or minor pain.

  • Allergy medications: Benadryl (diphenhydramine) for immediate relief and Claritin (loratadine) for daily prevention.

  • Digestive aids: Antacids and anti-diarrheal meds for upset stomachs and gastrointestinal issues.

  • Motion sickness relief: Cyclizine or dimenhydrinate to prevent nausea during travel.

  • Topical treatments: Hydrocortisone ointment for bug bites, rashes, or skin irritation.

  • Eye care: Artificial tears to soothe dry or irritated eyes.

  • Medication storage tip: Prescriptions don’t need to be in original bottles, but clearly label all containers to avoid confusion.

Dr. Chow emphasizes packing a downsized version of your home kit so you're prepared without overpacking. Find more information here.

Take in the Sunset and Scenery on a Guided Evening Hike on July 22

Explore the beauty of Irvine’s Limestone Canyon Nature Preserve on a 3.5-mile roundtrip evening hike along Hicks Haul Road on Tuesday, July 22, from 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. 

  • Led by the Irvine Ranch Conservancy (IRC), this moderately difficult (level 3) hike offers views of scenic Loma Ridge, native plants, and rock formations.

  • The return trip may be after sunset, so bring a red-tinted flashlight, water, proper footwear, and all necessary gear.

Learn Woodworking Skills and Build Your Own Project at Woodbridge Village

The Woodbridge Village Association is offering a hands-on workshop where participants will learn essential woodworking skills—from tool safety to designing and building creative projects like birdhouses and toy boxes.

To register, visit the office at 31 Creek Road or call (949) 786-1800 during regular business hours.

We will resume with the high school music calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

Splooting Explained: How Pets Beat the Summer Heat in the Cutest Way

Splooting is a cute and comfy pose where dogs, cats, or rabbits lie on their belly with their back legs stretched out behind them — often to relax or cool off during warm weather. It’s especially common in summer as pets try to beat the heat. Want more sploots and snuggles this season?

Consider adopting a furry friend from the Irvine Animal Care Center at cityofirvine.org/animals.

10 UC Irvine Women's Water Polo Players Named to ACWPC All-Academic List

UC Irvine women’s water polo had 10 players named to the 2024 ACWPC All-Academic list, with recognition based on GPA: four earned Outstanding (3.71+), three Superior (3.41–3.70), and three Excellent (3.20–3.40). Seven honorees were repeat selections, led by Kennedy East earning her fourth such award. UCI also ranked among 59 national programs named All-Academic Teams, finishing with a team GPA of 3.23.

UCI Anteaters Upcoming Home Games

We will resume with UCI’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall quarter.

🏐⚽🏀 Upcoming home games for the IVC LASERS 

We will resume with IVC’s athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

We will resume with the high school athletic calendar events when the schedule is available for the fall semester.

Irvine PD Apprehends Fleeing Driver with Assistance from K-9 and Aerial Units

A driver fled on foot after being stopped by police for reckless driving on the 405 freeway, leaving his wife and three children in the vehicle near Culver and Main. Irvine Police conducted a search of the Woodbridge area with assistance from a K-9 unit and helicopter. The suspect, William Martinez Ascencio, 27, of Riverside, was later located and arrested near Michelson and University. He was booked into Orange County Jail on charges of felony evading and child endangerment. Alessandra Huizarre Cendez, 26, of La Puente, was cited and released for being an accessory after the incident.

Irvine’s Best Kept Secrets: Is Your Business One of Them?

We know our community is brimming with businesses that have fascinating stories and big hearts. If you’re a local business owner making waves, crafting unique experiences, or simply putting a smile on our faces, we want to chat with you! “Irvine Insider” is eager to shine a light on the unsung heroes of our city. Let’s collaborate and let the community know what makes your business special.

Click the link below and fill out the Local Business Spotlight Application Form to be featured and let’s celebrate the spirit of Irvine together!

Irvine Insider is sent to a local audience of Irvine residence Monday through Friday with 50% - 60% open rate. Our newsletter is a great way to reach Irvine residents.

  • Kaiser Permanente Irvine Farmers Market

  • Saturday Farmers Market at Mariners Church Irvine

    • When: Saturday, 8 AM - 12 PM

    • Where: 5428 Bonita Canyon Dr, Irvine, CA 92603

  • Great Park Certified Farmers Market

  • Manassero Farmers

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 4:30 PM

    • Where: 33 Irvine Valley, Irvine, CA 92604

  • Tanaka Farms

    • When: Daily, 9 AM - 5 PM

    • Where: 5380 3/4 University Dr, Irvine, CA 92612

    • More Info:Tanaka Farms

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