Agua Hedionda Lagoon plans kids’ event, gala

The first children's Aggua Family Fun Fest at Agua Hedionda Lagoon is planned for the afternoon right before the annual Discovery Gala on Aug. 27 at the lagoon's Discovery Center in Carlsbad.

The event from 3 to 5 p.m., presented by the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians, will feature activities for children including a slime experiment by Thermo Fisher Scientific, a magic show and tour of the Discovery Center, which will be transformed into the famed “Addams Family” mansion from the 1960s TV series and New Yorker cartoons.

Attendees are encouraged to dress as one of the “Addams Family” characters or a lagoon animal ambassador.

After the festival, this year's Agua Hedionda Lagoon Foundation's Discovery Gala, themed “The Aggua Family,” will be held from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Discovery Center, 1580 Cannon Road.

There will be a multicourse dinner by Farmhouse Catering. Festivities include an online silent auction beginning Aug. 12 at aguahedionda.org and a live auction.

The gala will be emceed by Neda Iranpour, CBS/CW San Diego Morning News anchor, and will feature special guest Kelly Cardenas, Forbes contributor, author and podcaster. Honorees Carole and John Sanders will be recognized for their contributions to the foundation, along with a number of businesses in the community.

Gala attendees are encouraged to dress as their favorite “Addams Family” character or black tie is optional. Closed-toe shoes and block heels are recommended.

Free valet parking will be provided, but attendees are encouraged to use ride-hailing services or carpool to the event, which is presented by NRG.

Tickets for the family festival are $99 for family of four; adult ages 21 and older, $22; additional child 3 and older, $11.

Tickets for the gala are $222; $200 for members and $1,777 for a table of eight.

Proceeds go toward expanding the lagoon's educational programs.

For more information about the gala, visit aguahedionda.org/discovery-gala-2022 or call (760) 804-1969.