Camelias and Classics, 'Rods and Runners

There are some big days in town that you can schedule for well in advance. July 4th. Christmas at the Ferry Landing. And this weekend for sure: The events surrounding the Coronado Flower Show. 

“This is one of the iconic weekends in Coronado,” said Todd Little, executive director of the community's Tourism Improvement District.

Here's what you can look for beginning Saturday and continuing through Sunday afternoon:

, Spreckels Park, 1-5 p.m. Saturday and 10-4 p.m. Sunday, $5 admission, children 12 and under free:

Feeling like an Olympic urge? The design categories will evoke the summer games, which kick off in July in London. Elements include the flame, the doves, the five rings, and salutes to some memorable athletes, including California’s own Kristi Yamaguchi and Mark Spitz, who won medals in figure skating and swimming.

Other floral salutes to be expected: To the 1992 “Dream Team,” which featured hoop icons Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson and Larry Bird, the “Do you believe in miracles” 1980 hockey team that defeated the Russians and London itself, which will be feted with table themes, including “High Tea at Harrod’s,” “Cruising on the Thames” and “A Dinner Fit for A King.” 

As usual, there will be continuous entertainment featuring the Coronado Community Concert Band, the Retro Rockets, the Coronado Big Band and the Music Masters Chorus. There also will be a food pavilion, beer garden, Art in the Park and Friends of the Library Book Sale.

, Village Elementary School, 7 a.m.-1 p.m. Sunday: go ahead, gorge yourself, guilt-free. After all, there's lots of walking ahead, between the flower show and MotorCars.

 Orange and Isabella avenues, 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Sunday, free for spectators, $35 show entry fee for car owners: Excellent counter-programming for those who've had it up to here with blooms and would prefer to hear some vrooms instead.

More than 400 vehicles are entered and prizes will be awarded; 10,000 people are expected to be strolling among the displayed vehicles, and the show will accept walk-up entries Sunday.

“Some of these cars are just works of art,” said Rita Sarich, Coronado MainStreet's executive director. She added that some owners of the pre-1973 classic cars that are the focus of the show are coming from as far as Pennsylvania and New Mexico.

Isabella, Star Park Circle and Park Place will be closed for the show and shuttles will be running between , and . 

In addition, though it is not part of the locally organized events, , an epic 200-mile run shared by teams – including one from Coronado – is set to conclude with the runners' arrival Saturday at Silver Strand State Beach, where they will be feted with a beach fest.

So, are you ready Coronado? Because with warmer weather on the way, there are so many more festivities to come.

“It's just sort of the opening curtain for a wonderful summer season here,” Little concluded.