First Weekend of Festival of Whales Makes a Splash

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Photo Gallery

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Kids ran toward the sand to participate in the Festival of Whales' annual Diamond Dig at Baby Beach on Sunday, March 5. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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Kids ran toward the sand to participate in the Festival of Whales' annual Diamond Dig at Baby Beach on Sunday, March 5. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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Kids ran toward the sand to participate in the Festival of Whales' annual Diamond Dig at Baby Beach on Sunday, March 5. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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Vendors and organizations participated in the Festival of Whales' Ocean Awareness Day at Baby Beach on Sunday, March 5. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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Vendors and organizations participated in the Festival of Whales' Ocean Awareness Day at Baby Beach on Sunday, March 5. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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Vendors and organizations participated in the Festival of Whales' Ocean Awareness Day at Baby Beach on Sunday, March 5. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Ocean Institute held Art & the Sea: Paint Class where guests of all ages painted a whale tail during the Festival of Whales on Sunday, March 5. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Ocean Institute held Art & the Sea: Paint Class where guests of all ages painted a whale tail during the Festival of Whales on Sunday, March 5. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Ocean Institute held Art & the Sea: Paint Class where guests of all ages painted a whale tail during the Festival of Whales on Sunday, March 5. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Ocean Institute held Art & the Sea: Paint Class where guests of all ages painted a whale tail during the Festival of Whales on Sunday, March 5. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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A new whale was painted at Doheny State Beach's Whale Walk in celebration of the 46th Annual Festival of Whales on Sunday, March 5. Photo: Eric Heinz

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Visitors rushed for cover as rain came down during the Festival of Whales on Sunday, March 5. Photo: Eric Heinz

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Alan Gibby

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Alan Gibby

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Alan Gibby

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Alan Gibby

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Alan Gibby

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Alan Gibby

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Alan Gibby

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Alan Gibby

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Alan Gibby

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Alan Gibby

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Grand Marshal Rachel Tilly holds up her 2015 WSL Longboard Champion trophy during the Festival of Whales Parade on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Alan Gibby

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In Baby Beach, 10 participants created sand sculptures for the contest during the 46th Annual Festival of Whales on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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In Baby Beach, 10 participants created sand sculptures for the contest during the 46th Annual Festival of Whales on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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In Baby Beach, 10 participants created sand sculptures for the contest during the 46th Annual Festival of Whales on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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In Baby Beach, 10 participants created sand sculptures for the contest during the 46th Annual Festival of Whales on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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In Baby Beach, 10 participants created sand sculptures for the contest during the 46th Annual Festival of Whales on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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In Baby Beach, 10 participants created sand sculptures for the contest during the 46th Annual Festival of Whales on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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In Baby Beach, 10 participants created sand sculptures for the contest during the 46th Annual Festival of Whales on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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On Saturday, there was a street fair during the 46th Festival of Whales in La Plaza Park. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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Rachael Tilly, the grand marshal, signs posters during the street fair at the Festival of Whales on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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In the Dana Point Harbor, there were artists showcasing their work. as part of the 46th Annual Festival of Whales. Photo: Lauralyn Loynes

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In the Dana Point Harbor, there were artists showcasing their work. as part of the 46th Annual Festival of Whales. Photo: Lauralyn Loynes

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Festival of Whales parade traveled down Pacific Coast Highway on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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Councilman Rick Viczorek participated in the annual Festival of Whales parade. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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Councilman John Tomlinson participated in the annual Festival of Whales parade. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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Councilman Joe Muller participated in the annual Festival of Whales parade. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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Mayor Pro Tem Paul Wyatt participated in the annual Festival of Whales parade. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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Mayor Debra Lewis participated in the annual Festival of Whales parade on Saturday, March 4. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Orange County Sheriff's Department kicked off the parade during the 46th Annual Festival of Whales Parade. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

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The Orange County Sheriff's Department kicked off the parade during the 46th Annual Festival of Whales Parade. Photo: Kristina Pritchett

By Kristina Pritchett

The first weekend of the 46th annual Festival of Whales brought sea creatures, treasure digging, pirates and even Darth Vader to Dana Point.

The two-weekend event kicked off with a parade down Pacific Coast Highway with maritime balloons, city officials, organizations and groups—and even some Storm Troopers.

On the first day, there was a street fair at La Plaza Park, a “Woodie” and Corvette car show in the Harbor and a sand sculpting contest at Baby Beach. On Sunday, a minke whale was added to Doheny State Beach’s Whale Walk. In the Harbor, guests learned how to paint a whale tail. There was also an art in the park exhibition as well as Ocean Awareness Day festivities at Baby Beach.

The Rubber Ducky Derby was canceled due to the rain and has been rescheduled for Sunday, March 12 at 11 a.m.

The Festival continues March 11 and 12 throughout Dana Point. To see the event guide, click here.

Click to see the photos from day one and day two.

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